Concerned About Bicycle Safety? What You Can Do TODAY
Did you know that biking and walking fatalities represent 16.3 percent of all traffic deaths? Last week, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) confirmed that and that a total of 5,469 people killed.
The League of American Bicyclists reminds us that among those killed in 2013 was Joy Covey who helped catapult Amazon.com from a small company to today’s global powerhouse. Earlier this year, on a bicycle ride in San Mateo County, Calif., the 50 year old woman was struck by a delivery van and killed.
Contact members of Congress TODAY to ask them to co-sponsor H.R. 3494 / S. 1708, which requires the US Department of Transportation (USDOT) and state DOTs to account for and work to reduce bicyclist and pedestrian deaths. Take Action Here.
Last year, Congress mandated the US DOT to set performance goals, including safety goals. but those goals should include a plan to make biking safer. Unfortunately, the US DOT has refused to set a safety goal for non-motorized transportation. Members of the House and Senate, from both sides of the aisle, have introduced identical bills specifically requiring US DOT to set a goal to reduce the deaths of those biking and walking.
The Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Act states clearly that the lives of all roadway users are important — and creates accountability toward ending needless deaths. It gives US DOT the flexibility to determine the best method to meet these safety measures, and calls on our leaders to reduce the number of people biking and walking who are killed or injured on our streets every year.
In Ventura, you can call attention to Bicycle Safety and Awareness –it’s as easy as going for a ride!
1.) Bicycle Awareness Ride
Saturday, November 23, 2:00pm-4:30pm,
Starting at the HUB Community Bike Shop
1150 N. Ventura Avenue, Ventura
Wear signs about the SOLUTION!!
This is not a ride of silence. What’s our message?
Same Roads, Same Rights, Same Responsibilities.
“We’re all in this together!” or “Bicycling Makes Life Wonderful.”
Or “Coexist!”
The Route: Ventura Ave/Main St/Loma Vista/Then Back
2.) Letters to the Editor
Share how our dangerous roads affect you, your family, and our community. What are some solutions that would serve all of us? What does the freedom to bicycle and walk in our City mean to you? Do you have a kind message that you think might educate readers? Please take a few minutes in the next day or two to write and email or snail mail your letter in advance of the council meeting and to follow-up awareness after the ride.
3.) Bring the Issue to City Council
Monday, December 2
6:00pm- 7:30ish (come early to get a seat and fill out a PINK comment form)
Ventura City Hall
501 Poli St., Ventura, CA
It’s time that we all stand together to say that the deaths of bicyclists and pedestrians deserve to be counted and prevented, too.
Please help us build the momentum for this important legislation by contacting your members of Congress to ask them to co-sponsor these bipartisan bills.
Join this effort, and tell your lawmakers to vote for these straightforward, bi-partisan bills. Take action.
Related articles
- Bicycle Awareness: Taking It To the Streets (+ City Hall!) (artpredator.wordpress.com)
- Federal Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Act (thewashcycle.com)
art predator 
Reblogged this on Bikergo Gal and commented:
Contact Congress! Go for a ride! Speak at City Hall! Write a letter to the Editor! Make our streets safe for all!