Roanoke Valley Legislative Contacts
Written on February 2, 2011
Legislative update: Roanoke Valley
Senator Smith, district22@senate.virginia.gov, is a member of the Senate Transportation committee. He supported the 3 foot passing law in 2010 and will support it again. He thanks his constituents for e-mailing and calling in their concerns about legislative issues.
Delegates Greg Habeeb and Bill Cleveland are on the House transportation committee. Delegate Cleveland is on #2 Transportation subcommittee. All of the bicycle bills seem to be going through this sub-committee. The bills need to get through sub-committee, committee then full house. After passing the house the bill will go to the Senate and visa versa. The house is strongly Republican. The Senate is controlled by the Democrats.
Please contact your legislators by mail at:
The Honorable ______________
P. O. Box 406,
Richmond, Virginia 23218
When contacting by e-mail put: Support or Oppose and the bill number in the Subject. Always provide contact information and your name.
When you call, give your name and address and why calling. Ask to speak to the Delegate or Senator. Not in? Ask to speak with the legislative aide. If not available, leave a message with a specific request. The representative’s e-mail is handled by the legislative aide. Legislative assistants from the Richmond area answer the phone and are the front “office” for the elected officials. Assistants can take messages if you can not speak with your elected official or their aide.
Delegates:
Greg Habeeb delghabeeb@house.virginia.gov LA Patrick Lee 804.698.1008
Bill Cleaveland DelWCleaveland@house.virginia.gov LA BJ Robertson 804-698-1017
Ben Cline DelBCline@house.virginia.gov LA Nicole Manley 804-698-1024
Scott Garrett DelSGarrett@house.virginia.gov LA Amy Saucier 804-698-1023
Dave Nutter DelDNutter@house.virginia.gov LA 804-698-1007
Charles Poindexter DelCPoindexter@house.virginia.gov LA Lindsay Poteat 804-698-1009
Onzlee Ware DelOWare@house.virginia.gov LA Barbara Berlin 804-698-1011
Senators:
John Edwards district21@senate.virginia.gov LA Allison Baird 804-698-7521
Ralph Smith district22@senate.virginia.gov LA Dave Suetterlein 804-698-7522
Some bills that might be of interest to you:
SB 979 Whipple Land Conservation changes in acquiring
SB 850 Petersen Hunting on Sunday
SB 928 * McDougle Following too closely and passing vehicles – changes from 2 feet to 3 feet for passing bicycles
HB 1991* Janis Traffic lights. When an intersection light does not respond. Passing through light on red.
HB 1993* Janis Wreckless driving if you hit and kill someone with a vehicle
Great resource on legislators:
http://www.vaib.org/resources/1/redbook.pdf
AAA Lobbying To Cut Bike And Pedestrian Programs
Written on February 2, 2011
In August, AAA announced their desire to see trail, bicycle and pedestrian programs cut from the transportation trust fund. On December 13, 2010, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy delivered to AAA more than 51,000 signatures of people asking AAA to support the continuation of federal trail, bicycle and walking programs like Transportation Enhancements and Safe Routes to School. Thank you to all who signed the petition asking AAA to be a part of America’s transportation future.
Don’t forget this video:
Virginia Legislative Update 12/27/11
Written on January 28, 2011
http://www.vabike.org/legislative-update-12711/
3 foot passing and following too closely will be in the Senate Transportation committee on Wednesday, Feb 3. VML is will be meeting that same day. Check to see if someone from your community is attending and ask them to support bicycling friendly, no cost, legislation.
If this passes, the Driver’s manual will be able to educate motorists to pass by three feet.
Barbara Duerk
VA Legislative Update
Written on January 27, 2011
HB1683/Toscano Three foot passing and following too closely Failed by a 4-3 vote in House Transportation Sub-Committee 2 this morning
Now we have another chance on the Senate side, with the identical SB928/McDougle in Senate Transportation Committee at 2 p.m. tomorrow
Also in Senate Transportation tomorrow will be SB1370/Blevins requiring Rumble Strips to be installed on the side of all highways having a maximum speed limit of 55 mph or more
Also failing in House Trans Sub 2, by being referred to the Commission on Transportation Accountability for study, was HB1618/Ward which was a Newport News bill to permit any city by ordinance to ban mopeds on highways with speeds of 45 mph or higher. There was an similar bill last year in the far southwestern part of the state which also failed. VBF opposed this bill, which would have serious consequences for mopeds and could easily lead to similar bans on bicycles.
In the House Transportation Committee yesterday —
HB1801/Surovell which would change the composition of the Commonwealth Transportation Board, and how they are selected Failed
HB1825/Oder which changes the title of the “Commonwealth Transportation Commissioner” to “Commissioner of Highways” and makes other changes to the way the CTB operates was reported to the Full House
Passing the full House yesterday by a 75-24 vote, and now moving on to the Senate, was HB1981/Greason, which will allow motorcycles, mopeds, and bicycles to proceed through a red light that doesn’t trip for them, after waiting two full cycles, or 2 minutes, whichever comes first.
H.B. 1764 Mopeds; riders and passengers required to wear helmets.
Patron: Crockett-Stark
Mopeds. Requires moped riders and passengers to wear helmets.
Status: To be heard in the House Militia, Police and Public Safety Sub-Committee2 tomorrow at 7:30 a.m
HB1993/Janis
Reckless driving offenses. Provides that any person who operates a motor vehicle in violation of § 46.2-821 (running a stop or yield sign) or 46.2-833 (running a red light) and unintentionally causes the serious bodily injury or death of another is guilty of reckless driving.
Status :Reported out of sub-committee in the House Courts of Justice Committee
SB 850/Petersen Hunting; allows a person to hunt any wild bird or wild animal on Sundays.
Hunting on Sundays. Allows a person to hunt or kill any wild bird or wild animal on Sundays.
Status : In Senate Agriculture Committee, but not listed yet, next meeting Monday, 1/31
HB 1582/Cosgrove Virginia Transportation Infrastructure Bank; created.
Transportation funding; Virginia Transportation Infrastructure Bank. Creates the Virginia Transportation Infrastructure Bank (VTIB) as a special fund to provide loans and grants to public and private entities to fund transportation projects in the Commonwealth. The special fund shall consist of revenues generated through the privatization of the Commonwealth’s ABC stores and revenues generated through a one-time drawing down of construction cash reserves by the Virginia Department of Transportation. VTIB is authorized to issue bonds in an amount not to exceed $4 billion.
Status: We have asked the patron to include bicycling projects among those that are eligible for grants, but he has declined to do so.
HB 1957/Rust Transportation Board; powers and duties.
Powers and duties of CTB. Makes various changes to the powers and duties of the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB): (i) clarifies that local roads in counties outside the state secondary highway system are local roads, and not part of the state system; (ii) increases the limitation on contract values that the Commonwealth Transportation Commissioner and the Director of the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation may let; (iii) eliminates the duty of the CTB to regulate outdoor theaters; (iv) provides for the updating of the Statewide Transportation Plan every four years (instead of five); and (v) repeals the section that allows the CTB to designate its employees as special police officers.
SB 1135/Wagner Transportation Board; powers and duties.
Powers and duties of CTB. Makes various changes to the powers and duties of the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB): (i) clarifies that local roads in counties outside the state secondary highway system are local roads, and not part of the state system; (ii) increases the limitation on contract values that the Commonwealth Transportation Commissioner and the Director of the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation may let; (iii) eliminates the duty of the CTB to regulate outdoor theaters; (iv) provides for the updating of the Statewide Transportation Plan every four years (instead of five); and (v) repeals the section that allows the CTB to designate its employees as special police officers.
Status: Two identical bills being carried for the Administration. We have asked the patrons to insert bicycling in the list of facilities that will be included in the Statewide Transportation Plan, and they are considering doing so.
VA General Assembly in Session
Written on January 25, 2011
Legislative update: Roanoke Valley
I was in Richmond on Monday, January 17, 2011, to attend the Virginia Conservation network lobby day and educate legislators about the benefits of bicycle friendly legislation. Others from the area were Bob and Kris Peckman, Bill Tanger, members of the Mill Mountain Garden Club and Town and County Garden Club. The Virginia Bicycling Federation contingent and Kris and Bob Peckman talked with Delegate Greg Habeeb’s delghabeeb@house.virginia.gov 804.698.1008 legislative aide, Patrick Lee, and Senator Ralph Smith’s legislative aide, Dave Suetterlein. Senator John Edwards, district21@senate.virginia.gov talked with Kris and Bob Peckman and VBF members about the establishment of a Rail Authority, the department of DRPT, passenger rail, efficient freight service and bicycling friendly legislation. Edwards’ legislative aide is Allison Baird.
Senator Smith, district22@senate.virginia.gov, is a member of the Senate Transportation committee. He supported the 3 foot passing law in 2010 and will support it again. He thanks his constituents for e-mailing and calling in their concerns about legislative issues.
Delegates Greg Habeeb and Bill Cleveland are on the House transportation committee. Delegate Cleveland is on #2 Transportation subcommittee. All of the bicycle bills seem to be going through this sub-committee. The bills need to get through sub-committee, committee then full house. After passing the house the bill will go to the Senate and visa versa. The house is strongly Republican. The Senate is controlled by the Democrats.
Please contact your legislators by mail at:
The Honorable ______________
P. O. Box 406,
Richmond, Virginia 23218
When contacting by e-mail put: Support or Oppose and the bill number in the Subject. Always provide contact information and your name.
When you call, give your name and address and why calling. Ask to speak to the Delegate or Senator. Not in? Ask to speak with the legislative aide. If not available. Leave a message with a specific request. The representative’s e-mail is handled by the legislative aide. Legislative assistants from the Richmond area answer the phone and are the front “office” for the elected officials. Assistants can take messages if you can not speak with your elected official or their aide.
Delegates:
Greg Habeeb delghabeeb@house.virginia.gov LA Patrick Lee 804.698.1008
Bill Cleaveland DelWCleaveland@house.virginia.gov LA BJ Robertson 804-698-1017
Ben Cline DelBCline@house.virginia.gov LA Nicole Manley 804-698-1024
Scott Garrett DelSGarrett@house.virginia.gov LA Amy Saucier 804-698-1023
Dave Nutter DelDNutter@house.virginia.gov LA 804-698-1007
Charles Poindexter DelCPoindexter@house.virginia.gov LA Lindsay Poteat 804-698-1009
Onzlee Ware DelOWare@house.virginia.gov LA Barbara Berlin 804-698-1011
Senators:
John Edwards district21@senate.virginia.gov LA Allison Baird 804-698-7521
Ralph Smith district22@senate.virginia.gov LA Dave Suetterlein 804-698-7522
Some bills that might be of interest to you:
SB 979 Whipple Land Conservation changes in acquiring
SB 850 Petersen Hunting on Sunday
SB 1135 Wagner Contracts between DRPT and localities 39-47
SB 928 * McDougle Following too closely and passing vehicles – changes from 2 feet to 3 feet for passing bicycles
HB 1991* Janis Traffic lights. When an intersection light does not respond. Passing through light on red.
HB 1683 * Toscano Following too closely and passing other vehicles – identical to SB 928
HB 2194 * Ebbin “ “ “
HB 1404 Howell, A.T. Relating to banning use of cell phones
HB 1993* Janis Wreckless driving if you hit and kill someone with a vehicle
SB 1055 Stuart Reducing Pollution from Lawns
HB 1685 Toscano Agricultural net energy metering
HB 2191 Ebbin Creation of Voluntary Solar Resource Fund
SB 975 Whipple “ “ “
SB 817 McEachin Anti-Drilling
SB 907 McEachin Efficiency Incentive Rates including block rates
HB 1495 Ware, Onzlee Annual filing for erosion and sediment control by local authorities
HB 1498 Ware, Onzlee Ban use of plastic bags by retailers – requested by Roa City Public Works department
Transportation bills include funding and VDOT structure. SB 913, McDougle, eliminates DRPT and Airport advisory boards and the departments are placed under VDOT. The General Assembly elects District CTB members and the Secretary of Transportation title is changed to CEO. The CEO is “hired” by the CTB. The Governor can appoint 1 urban and 1 rural member to the CTB.
Great resource on legislators:
http://www.vaib.org/resources/1/redbook.pdf
One person can make a difference so call, write, e-mail or visit your legislator.
Greenways Connect with Sharrows
Written on January 24, 2011
ROANOKE, VA – Roanoke bicyclists and motorists will notice a new type of pavement marking called a “shared lane marking” or “sharrow” to help them safely navigate city streets.
According to Mark Jamison, manager of the city’s Transportation Division, drivers as well as cyclists are often confused over proper etiquette and traffic laws for navigating streets safely. “Sharrows indicate where a bicyclist should ride when the lane is too narrow for a conventional bike lane or for a car and a bike to travel side by side,” he says. “Additionally, they help to make motorists aware that a particular street is on a designated bike route and that the motorist should expect to see cyclists.”
Jamison says Transportation has completed installation of sharrows in seven downtown locations, along streets such as Church Avenue, Second Street, Gainsboro Road, and Williamson Road. Additional sharrow locations will likely be added in the coming months.
Sharrows have been used on an experimental basis in some U.S. cities, but were not approved for national use by the Federal Highway Administration until about a year ago. “In addition to safety and awareness benefits, these initial sharrows will help designate the downtown connection between the Mill Mountain and Lick Run Greenways,” says Jamison. “Ultimately we want to promote cycling as a healthy and safe alternative to motorized transportation.”
Tom Carr, Roanoke’s Director of Planning, Building and Development and staff to the City of Roanoke Bicycle Advisory Committee, says sharrows are a part of an overall effort by the city to promote bicycles for commuting as well as recreational use. In 2010, Roanoke became one of only four Virginia cities to be designated as a “Bicycle Friendly Community” by the League of American Bicyclists.
This year, the committee will join other Virginia groups to increase awareness of the advantages of cycling and how to do so safely.
“Bicycling is a great way to get exercise, reduce your carbon footprint, and enjoy the beauty of the Roanoke Valley, but safety is key,” says Carr. “Sharrows will help us all share the road more effectively.”
For more information, contact Mark Jamison at 540-853-2676.
Immediate Legislative Action Needed
Written on January 19, 2011
Two identical bills, HB 1683 and HB 2194, which would change from 2 feet to 3 feet the minimum clearance required when passing a bicycle and would also create an offense for following a bicycle too closely, are pending in the Virginia General Assembly House Transportation Committee #2. It is anticipated that the sub-committee will vote on these bills at its next scheduled meeting on Wednesday, January 26, at 7:00 a.m. Delegate Cleaveland is on this sub-committee. Please consider contacting him on or before next Tuesday, January 25, and request that he vote in favor of these bills. His telephone is: 804-698-1017, and e-mail is: DelWCleaveland@house.virginia.gov
National Bike Summit, March 8-10, 2011
Written on December 6, 2010
Message from Andy Clarke, President
League of American Bicyclists
The National Bike Summit, March 8-10, 2011 is championed by a coalition of bicycle advocacy organizations. Bicyclists will learn about issues, share success stories and meet with congressional offices to move forward legislation favorable to on road and off road bicycling accommodations. With a new Congress and without Congressman James Oberstar to help champion bicyclists concerns, more cyclists representing where you live are needed to speak to elected officials at forums back home and on the hill. Go to bikeleague.org/summit11 to register.
Governor’s Transportation Conference
Written on December 6, 2010
The Governor’s Transportation Conference will be held at the Hotel Roanoke, Dec 8-10, 2010. The theme of the 2010 Conference, Reforming and Revitalizing Transportation in Virginia, includes a plenary session on Wednesday from 5:00-6:15 pm entitled “Setting the Stage for the Future: A Review of Virginia’s Multi-Modal Strategic Plan”. The Commonwealth Transportation Board will be meeting on Wednesday before the opening session at 3:30 pm. For more information, go to www.vatransconf.org.