CA. Assemblyman Honors Bicycle Coalition

Earlier in the week I received the following Press Release ( Links inserted by me ):

Assemblymember Pedro Nava

Presents Resolution Honoring California Bicycle Coalition’s

“Pedal Power 2006” Event

Sacramento, CA – Assemblymember Pedro Nava presented a Member’s Resolution to the California Bicycle Coalition to honor their “Pedal Power 2006” on Monday, May 1st.  This annual event promotes the health, economical, and environmental benefits of bicycling while giving members a chance to meet with their legislative representatives.

“Supporting Pedal Power is part of my commitment to ensure bicycle safety, encourage healthy lifestyles, and promote forms of transportation that protect the environment,”  said Assemblymember Nava.  “I will continue to work with the bicycling community to make riding bicycles on our roads safer for everyone.”

The need for greater public education and stronger laws protecting bicyclists was highlighted by the death of UCSB triathlete Kendra Payne, who died after being struck by a truck making an unsafe pass.  As part of his effort to promote pedestrian and bicycle safety, Assemblymember Nava introduced AB 1941 during this year’s legislative session, which would have required motor vehicles to pass bicycles at a “safe distance” of no less than 3 feet.  This measure of safety would have given bicyclists more space on our dangerous roads and serve as an educational tool for bicyclists and motorists alike. 

“While this bill failed passage,” Assemblymember Nava stated, “this minor setback is just an indication that we need to work harder to increase awareness amongst legislators.  We will try again next year and send the message that bicyclists need greater protection.”

Assemblymember Nava also encouraged bicyclists everywhere to participate in the political process and engage their legislative representatives in policy and budget issues.  As Chairman of Assembly Budget Subcommittee #5 on Transportation and Information Technology, Assemblymember Nava will examine how we can fund bicycle safety programming and new ways to promote bicycle usage and safety.

Cool! ;-D

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