Bicycle Board Members,
This morning, I participated by telephone in a meeting in Charleston of
a forming BikeWV legislative committee. The committee decided to
pursue legislation to change WV code 17C-1-2 that defines "vehicle".
Currently, 17C-1-2 explicitly excludes "devices moved by human power".
The committee will draft a change that explicitly includes bicycles in
the definition of "vehicle". Then, they will meet with representatives
of the WVDOH, the Governor, some State and local police, and
congressmen Oliverio and Foster to identify any pockets of resistance
to the change.
The following attended the meeting:
- Kim Broughton - BikeWV coordinator
- Steve Fowler - Lawyer, proponent of 3-foot passing law
- Dennis Strawn - Charleston bicycling advocate
- John Francis - Greenbrier Bicycling Club and active bicycling
political advocate
- Todd West - WVDOH
- Bill Nottingham - Owner of Charleston bike shop and former
tobacco lobbyist
- Greg Garrett - Blennerhassett Bicycle Club
- Frank Gmeindl - Chairman, Morgantown Municipal Bicycle Board,
League Cycling Instructor
As you know, the meeting was preceded by a bike commute from Scott
Depot to Charleston. Among the 6 participants were Rich Warner and
Perry Keller, both employees of WVDOT and members of the Greater
Morgantown MPO TAC. Where they could, they rode on shoulders and
sidewalks. Paul Maddox, WVDOT Secretary offered to provide a SAG
vehicle for the ride.
Frank
Cyclists fare best when they act and are treated as drivers of
vehicles