Brakes put on Brake Legislation!

SB1351: Civil Penalties

So Tuesday in the Idaho Legislature, the Senate failed to pass SB1351 that would add a $75.00 civil penalty to all infractions involving bicycles (including motor vehicle interactions with bicycles). The civil penalties collected from these infractions would have been directed into a newly created Safe Routes to School Fund to be used by the Idaho Department of Transportation (ITD) to enhance their Safe Routes to School Program, making children safer
when travelling to or from their school.

While on another bill . . .

SB1349: Brakes

The Senate showed their disdain for a certain segment of bike riders by passing SB1349 that requires that all bicycles operating on Idaho roadways have a working brake. Let's get real - they are talking about "fixies" and even the language of their own bill shows a misunderstanding of how fixies work. The new section of the law would read:

"49-725. BICYCLE EQUIPMENT REQUIRED. Every bicycle, when operated upon a roadway of this state, shall be equipped with at least one brake adequate to control the movement of such bicycle and to stop and hold such bicycle."

The Fiscal Impact of the SB1349 indicates a small positive fiscal impact to local governments could happen from citations issued for no brakes.

What Now? Well, Put on the Brakes!

SB1349 moved over to the House yesterday and was held at the speaker's desk. This means essentially the Speaker of the House has held the bill and did not assign it to a committee for a hearing. We are hopeful the bill stays at the Speaker's desk, but encourage folks to contact their House representatives to ensure it does and tell them essentially what Rick Overton said in today's Statesman pro/con article, "Turning cops into brake inspectors squanders resources and antagonizes the cycling community without making anyone safer."

House Representatives

The Idaho Legislature has an Interactive Site to help you locate your House Rep and send them an email, give them a call or write them a letter. Remember to always be respectful, state your position and let them know you live in their district - especially because this is an election year for ALL 105 Idaho legislators.