2005 BTA Legislative Summary
During the 2005 Legislative session, two bills written and supported by the BTA were passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor. Both will become law on January 1, 2006.
Safe Routes to School (HB 2742)
Safe Routes to School programs increase bicycling and walking among children and families through engineering, education, encouragement, and traffic enforcement. This bill established program guidelines and a grant fund to support Safe Routes efforts in Oregon. The BTA is also seeking federal funds and advocating for other state and local funds.
Links:
Fact Sheet for Safe Routes to School bill (PDF)
Text of HB 2742 (PDF)
Bicycle Legal Revisions (SB 938)
This bill impacted laws that define where bicyclists may ride on the roadway. The new rules reflect actual riding practices and give cyclists maximum protection under the law in the event of crashes and insurance claims. The changes are in ORS 811.845, ORS 814.410, and ORS 814.420.
Laws Regarding Bicycle Lanes
Until now, Oregon law required cyclists to use the bike lane whenever one exists. The new rule allows cyclists to leave the bike lane when preparing for turns, avoiding hazards, passing other cyclists, or riding at the speed of traffic.
Passing On The Right
This change made it legal for bicyclists to pass slower or stopped vehicles on the right when conditions allow them to do so safely.
Fact Sheet for "Bicycle Legal Revisions" bill, SB 938 (PDF)
Text of SB 938 (PDF)
2003 BTA Legislative Summary
In 2003, the Bicycle Transportation Alliance weighed in on all bills and legislative issues pertaining to bicycling and the bicycle industry.
We achieved a number of tangible victories, thwarted legislation that would have negatively impacted cycling, and made headway on our Safe Routes to Schools agenda. We became known as Oregon's “bicycle people,” building relationships with pro-bicycle legislators that helped block several very harmful ideas and lay the groundwork for future successes.
We also saw that on certain issues the bicycling community is sharply divided (the Rolling Stop for Bicyclists at Stop Signs bill, for example), and that it’s a challenge to represent our constituency well in those instances. We must make sure that the reasons for our decisions on such issues is clear to all our members, even those who disagree with our final decision.
Issues the BTA weighed in on during the 2003 Legislative Session include:
HB 2041- Oregon Transportation Investment Act III
Bill Summary: Provide $2.5 billion for bridges and roads
BTA Position: Supported with amendments
Status: Passed
BTA Activity and Comments: This was the single biggest BTA/bicycle victory of the session. The BTA worked behind the scenes to modify a provision that would have prohibited bike lanes or curb extensions on state highways if they affected freight capacity. We also drew attention to the fact that the Bicycle Bill applies to the new transportation package, resulting in $25 million for bicycle and pedestrian projects.
HB 3240- Traffic Safety Fines for Safety Education
Bill Summary: Add a $10 fee to vehicle convictions, to fund traffic safety programs
BTA Position: Supported
Status: Died in Committee Public Safety Subcommittee of Ways and Means
BTA Activity and Comments: This was the BTA’s proactive legislative proposal. We convened a coalition of other interests, the Oregon Transportation Safety Coalition. Our bill died in committee, but we worked with the City of Portland and other groups to support a similar bill passed that increases traffic violation fee revenue to cities and counties to support traffic safety programs.
HB 3303 - Parking in Bike Lanes
Bill Summary: Allow cars to park in bike lanes in front of schools
BTA Position: Opposed
Status: Died and not heard in committee due to BTA pressure
BTA Activity and Comments: The BTA strongly opposed this bill and successfully killed it in committee, with the help of members and other concerned cyclists. One legislator’s comment: “Okay, okay, I’ll oppose it. Now call off the bicyclists!”
HB 2768 - Rolling Stop for Bicyclists at Stop Signs
Bill Summary: Cyclists treat stop signs as yield signs. Right-of-way rules would remain.
BTA Position: Supported
Status: Passed House; died in Senate Rules Committee
BTA Activity and Comments: The BTA supported this bill for various reasons, including current cycling practices. We did, however, convince the sponsor to remove stoplights from the bill. Many cyclists supported this bill and others opposed it.
Bicycle Registration (HB 3135), and proposed fee on sale of new bikes (OTIA III)
Bill Summary: Required registration or sales fees on bicycles
BTA Position: Opposed HB 3135; neutral on sales fee concept pending clarification of logistics and use of funds.
Status: HB 3135 died in House Transportation Committee; sales tax idea was removed from OTIA.
BTA Activity and Comments: The BTA was concerned about these proposals but did not oppose them outright. Instead, we convened a bike dealers’ meeting to discuss concerns about registration or sales fees, and worked with bill sponsors to help them understand the impacts to the bike industry.
Department of Health Services federal grants
Bill Summary: Grants would have awarded $5 million for obesity research and programs
BTA Position: Supported
Status: Federal grants went unclaimed due to legislative inaction.
BTA Activity and Comments: Federal grants awarded to Oregon were turned down by Ways and Means Committee chair Representative Randy Miller of Lake Oswego. BTA lobbied hard for the acceptance of these grants.
SB 179 - School Zones
Bill Summary: Clarify school zone definitions
BTA Position: Neutral pending changes
Status: Passed
BTA Activity and Comments: BTA provided comments on original bill draft because it watered down protections for children in school zones. The resulting law has provisions that may increase protections for children.
SB 787- Segway
Bill Summary: Define use of Segway on public right of way
BTA Position: Neutral pending changes
Status: Passed
BTA Activity & Comments: BTA supports use of Segways in bike lanes, because it could increase the demand and constituency for bike lanes.
HB 2043 - Pay as You Drive Insurance
Bill Summary: Allow insurance companies to charge based on miles driven.
BTA Position: Supported
Status: Passed
BTA Activity & Comments: Conceived by the Oregon Environmental Council, this bill allows insurance companies to create mileage-based policies, creating a tangible financial incentive to drive less. Find out more by visiting www.orcouncil.org.
2001 BTA Legislative Summary
Thanks to the hard work of our volunteer lobbyist Ward Armstrong and the advocacy of hundreds of dedicated citizens, the BTA succeeded in passing Oregon’s first ever Safe Routes to Schools bill during the 2001 Legislative Session.
The new law requires schools and communities to work together to identify hazards that keep kids from walking and biking safely to school. During the 2003 and 2005 legislative sessions, the BTA worked with our partners and members to help secure funding to support these programs.
[add links:
to House Bill 3712 (Catherine has pdf)
to HB 3712 Fact Sheet (Safe Routes to School) – PDF; attached]
to law as codified in ORS (ask Evan for link)]
