The Colorado legislature has only two weeks left in its 2017 session but several of Bicycle Colorado’s issues are still in motion. Read our most current updates, below. Together, with a unified voice, we can improve safety and continue to make this the best state for riding a bicycle.

Thank you to everyone who has spoken out about one or more legislative issues this session!

Help still needed: Rolling coal and hit-and-run

Bicycle Colorado and other groups are supporting a bill that helps police cite drivers who intentionally blast other vehicles, bicyclists and pedestrians with diesel smoke, and another that suspends driver’s licenses for people arrested for leaving the scene after a crash (hit-and-run). Both are still in consideration in the legislature and each one would make roads safer for bicyclists. We’re down to the wire and could use your help!

Learn more about these issues and how to contact your legislators to show your support. 

Passed: Higher penalties for texting while driving

Reducing distracted driving and making roads safer for bicyclists is one of our primary efforts. This year, we helped support a bill to significantly increase the penalty for distracted driving resulting from texting behind the wheel. The bill passed the legislature and is now before the governor for signing. A whopping 257 of you sent messages to your legislators showing support for this bill. Thank you to everyone who reached out, shared the story on social media and got involved. Your efforts made a difference!

Defeated: Statewide transportation funding measure for the ballot

Prospects for additional state and local transportation funding hit a significant roadblock Tuesday when House Bill 1242 was defeated in the Senate Finance Committee. Bicycle Colorado has been working closely on this issue with a broad coalition of partners over the last 12 months, and it was one of our major legislative goals for this session.

The bipartisan proposal would have generated new revenue for a dedicated multimodal options fund (including bicycling and walking projects), local governments and the Colorado Department of Transportation. With the bill’s defeat, we will continue to track any alternative proposals or efforts for the November ballot.

Bicycle Colorado is tremendously grateful to each of you who took the time to contact your senator or representative during this process. As always, we will keep you apprised of our advocacy efforts and encourage you to add your voice on key issues that affect your safety and access as a bicyclist.

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