 The Capitol lawn was crawling with advocates wearing neon bicycle lapel pins on Wednesday, May 26th. Over 80 cyclists from across the state came to Lansing to lobby the Michigan legislator for Complete Streets legislation and other bicycle friendly policies during the Lucinda Means Bicycle Advocacy Day. The event was co-organized by the League of Michigan Bicyclists, Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance and Michigan Mountain Biking Association. The day began with a group bike rally from MSU Bikes to the Capitol lawn, with temporary bike racks installed for the bicyclists. Representative Jon Switalski kicked things off by presenting a framed resolution proclaiming May as Bike Month in Michigan. After a brief overview of the legislative priorities, attendees met with their Representatives and Senators to discuss cycling needs throughout the state. The meetings were scheduled in advance by LMB. Over 90 meetings occurred between bicyclists and legislators and/or their staff. All of the remaining legislators, who were unable to sit down with us person, received a packet of bicycling literature and copy of the legislative priorities. Advocacy Day participants asked their representatives in Lansing to support our vulnerable user bill to increase penalties for striking or killing a bicyclist, as well as legislation to include bicycle-safety education within drivers education. Our bicycling legislative agenda also opposed the establishment of county bicycle trails fund to insure that the source of funding for trails on the local government side not be limited to monies derived from a $50 optional bicycle sticker. Bicyclists also expressed opposition to the expansion of ATV use on public lands to insure our state trails remain safe and nonmotorized. Cyclists also expressed thanks to the legislators for passing a texting while driving ban and the Recreation Passport Law, which will pay for the management of state parks, recreation areas, and forest recreation programs as well as support local units of government on their outdoor recreation projects. The main focus of the three groups' efforts, however, was new proposed legislation urging a "complete streets" policy in transportation planning. It's part of a national and statewide movement that seeks to have all users of roadways, not just cars and trucks, considered in construction and maintenance projects on state, county and local roads. Over lunch, Michigan Complete Streets Coalition partners Tim Fisher of Michigan Environmental Action Council and Felicia Wasson of AARP spoke about the collaborative project and why Complete Streets are important to their respective members. Advocacy Day participants also filled out comment cards in support of HB 6151 and 6152 (Complete Streets legislation) which were turned in the following day during the House Transportation Committee's hearing on the bills. Those who could not attend the event were still able to participate through virtual lobbying - they called and emailed their Representatives and Senators to voice their support for Complete Streets. Although Advocacy Day has come to an end, we encourage Michigan bicyclists to continue to pressure their local Representatives and Senators to support bicycle-friendly initiatives across the state.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Read current Advocacy Agenda Download Advocacy Day Primer (parking map & everything else you need to know) An Advocacy Day training webinar will be held on May 20th at 7pm...please save the date (registration link coming soon) Tentative Schedule:
Last Updated on Thursday, 03 June 2010 11:39
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2010-05-12 
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Legislative Priorities
