This is an informational handout that was part of the 2014 Bike/Walk Summit presented by MassBike and WalkBoston.

Vulnerable Road Users, Senate 1639 – This bill defines “vulnerable users”, including bicyclists, pedestrians, wheelchair users, and other non-motorized road users, and will encourage motorists to exercise greater care when operating around vulnerable users. Specifically, when a motorist kills or severely injures a vulnerable user, the legislation would require them to:

• Pay up to double the fines currently defined by statute;
• Attend a traffic safety class;
• Perform up to 100 hours of community service directly related to improving interactions of motorists and vulnerable users of the road.

The bill also addresses the problem of motorist harassment of vulnerable users by creating both criminal and civil liability for motorists who use their vehicle to physically harass a vulnerable user, and civil liability for motorists who engage in other forms of harassment of vulnerable users.

Co-sponsors: William Brownsberger,  Denise Provost,  David Rogers,  Jonathan Hecht,  Kay Khan,  John Scibak,  Frank Smizik,  Gailanne Cariddi,  Carl Sciortino, Jr.,  Lori Ehrlich,  James Eldridge,  Sonia Chang-Diaz,  Kate Hogan,  Carolyn Dykema,  Peter Kocot,  Kenneth Gordon,  Denise Andrews.

Bike Lane Protection Bill, Senate 1640 – This bill protects bicyclists by prohibiting motor vehicle operators from parking in on-street paths or lanes designated by official signs or markings for the use of bicycles, or placing the vehicle in such a manner as to interfere with the safety and passage of bicyclists. Motorists frequently endanger bicyclists by parking in bicycle lanes, forcing bicyclists to merge into traffic. There is currently no applicable state law, and communities are passing local ordinances that will result in inconsistent rules and enforcement unless statewide action is taken.

Co-Sponsors: William Brownsberger,  Denise Provost,  David Rogers,  Jonathan Hecht,  Kay Khan,  John Scibak,  Frank Smizik,  Patricia Jehlen,  Carl Sciortino, Jr.,  Lori Ehrlich, Kenneth Donnelly,  Elizabeth Malia,  Sonia Chang-Diaz,  James Eldridge,  Kate Hogan, Carolyn Dykema,  Peter Kocot,  Kenneth Gordon,  Denise Andrews.

Status: On March 19, 2014, both bills were extended in the Joint Transportation Committee. The bill has not been reported out, either favorably or unfavorably.

The Ask: This year’s ask is the same for both bills:

• If the legislator you are meeting with is already a cosponsor, please thank them.
• If you are speaking to Rep. Straus or Sen. McGee, the co-chairs of the Transportation Committee, ask them to report favorably on the bills.
• If you are speaking to any other legislator, ask them to speak to their respective co-chair on the Transportation Committee (Rep. Straus or Sen. McGee) and ask them to report favorably on both bills.——————————————————————————————————————-
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