But the vast majority of ordinary roads are for use by everybody because the vast majority of destinations are served by ordinary roads. Every person traveling on those roads is “traffic” regardless of whether they have a motor or not.

The State of Missouri has a road for motorists, and I’m sure you’ve heard of it…it’s called Interstate 70…and the government has spent millions improving it and continues to do so. So…use it.

There is more than freeway in Missouri. I was using Interstate 70 as an example of government funding that is seeming like a waste due to it not being used by those who are driving on the roads instead of driving on something that is maintained and availible for the sole purpose of motoring.

Can we please ticket all cars with only one occupant in a 6-passenger car (what selfish PIGS!)during rush hour, because they clog our roads and slow down tax-paying cyclists? Why not? They are unnecessarily hogging the road, and they should be more considerate! And those underutilized school busses – moms are driving their obese kids to school while school busses are nearly empty, but we all have to deal with traffic delays from both types of vehicles!

The price of promoting incompetent cycling and under-educating our motorists and under-enforcing our traffic laws is high indeed! Compare us with England, where the driver’s test is 100 questions and the road test takes over an hour (you fail if you can’t parallel park!).

In the USA, we promote incompetent driving and cycling, and we reap what we sow! Segregated bicycle “facilities” won’t create the change we need. Let’s identify the real problem and work toward the real solution. It has nothing to do with Copenhagen, and everything to do with education and enforcemet.

There is more than 1 bike trail in Missouri, i’m speaking about St. Charles County. I was using the Katy Trail as an example of State funding that is seeming like a waste due to it not being used by those who are riding on the roads instead of riding on something that is maintained and availible for the sole purpose of biking.

Ticket those cyclists if they are obstructing traffic.
Just like anyone else.

You suggest one “road” in Missouri for riding bicycles?
Are you huffing paint?

Check out Missouri State Statues (RSMO 307.190, 307.192) It happens all the time on 94. The State of Missouri has a road for bikes, and im sure you’ve heard of it…it’s called the Katy Trail…and the State has spent millions improving it and continues to do so. So…use it. I don’t see a lot of people doing so.

Would the local jurisdiction even have the authority to issue a ban on a state highway and trump 226.130.1? Should be easy to read the law and find out and that’s a consideration because many states do not prevent localities from enacting their own overly restrictive statutes (i.e., BlackHawk, CO).

We need to introduce legislation in all fifty states to ensure uniform traffic code considerations, and introduce a Federal rule preventing federal funds from being used to support any project (construction or maintenance) where bicyclists are banned or restricted unfairly.

Imagine if every time you passed a county boundary in your car you had to check to see if there were different rules. This is absurd and generally does not happen, albeit the new cell phone laws are occurring at both the state and local level. But these restrict the misuse of a vehicle, not the lawful use of same.

As far as LAB, what we need is for the deeper pockets we work with (i.e., the bike industry and BikesBelong) to take these threats very seriously and help with the legal fees and other expenses it takes to fight these battles through lawyers and PR campaigns. LAB cannot do it alone, especially on all fronts. The industry needs to realize that all the special projects in the world won’t do us (or the bike industry) a whole lot of good if we are run off the road at the whim of a county councilor.

Finally, we all need to be positive role models out there. Speaking as a transportation policy advisor in my county, the best way to get anti-cycling legislation introduced is often to have local cyclists behaving as boneheads. Ride smart out there. Believe me, people notice.

Khal Spencer
Chair, Los Alamos County Transportation Board and LCI 1173

The League does take these threats seriously and actively fights them.

As stated in the post, we’re working with advocates on the ground in the area to address the situation. St. Charles residents can take action in our Advocacy Center here: http://capwiz.com/lab/issues/alert/?alertid=15236966

Along with our partners at the Florida Bicycle Association we opposed HB971 requiring mandatory use of bike lanes when present. We reached out to Governor Crist, Florida DOT and members and cyclists throughout Florida through our Advocacy Center http://capwiz.com/lab/issues/alert/?alertid=14999976