PRESS RELEASE : Bike Baton Rouge presents #mybikestory week
Bike Baton Rouge presents #mybikestory week
2/16/16, Baton Rouge, LA
A local non-profit organization, Bike Baton Rouge, will next week be holding a social media campaign to help dispel the myth that bicycling in Baton Rouge can be difficult or dangerous.
"Too often, people only hear about bicycling when something bad happens." said Bike Baton Rouge President Mika Torkkola. "We're encouraging folks to help change that perception by letting the world know how fun, how relaxing, or even in many cases, how mundane your average bike ride in Baton Rouge can be."
During #mybikestory week, bicyclists can post stories, photos, and videos of their daily bike rides on Facebook, Twitter, or other social media outlets using the #mybikestory hashtag. Bike Baton Rouge hopes that by hearing more about the experiences of bicyclists in Baton Rouge, potential bicyclists will see that the benefits of bicycling in Baton Rouge greatly outweigh the risks, which are often exaggerated by social media.
The Baton Rouge Area Foundation’s 2016 City Stats Survey found that 39% of Baton Rouge residents surveyed would be interested in riding to work if conditions were safer, a number that has grown from surveys in previous years.
#mybikestory week runs from Monday, February 20th through Sunday, February 26th. Submissions from previous events can be found at bikebr.org/mybikestory, and Bike Baton Rouge will be updating that page regularly throughout the week as well as sharing their favourite stories on their Facebook and Twitter pages.
Mika Torkkola
225 571 2906
bikebatonrouge@gmail.com
Bike Baton Rouge is a local non-profit 501 (c) 3 organization and has been dedicated to making bicycling trips in Baton Rouge safer and more enjoyable since 2006.
PRESS RELEASE : Cranksgiving bike ride combines donation drive and scavenger hunt for a good cause.
Cranksgiving bike ride combines donation drive and scavenger hunt for a good cause.
11/15/16, Baton Rouge, LA
Bike Baton Rouge, a local non-profit organization, is inviting the community to join them for the second annual Cranksgiving bike ride on November 20 at City Park. The event will benefit the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank and will include a special donation to the Baton Rouge Police Department.
“Cranksgiving is a really fun way to get involved and to do some good, and with the flood damage that the Food Bank received, there is no better time to do that,” said Mika Torkkola, Bike Baton Rouge president.
Last year’s Cranksgiving was the first in Baton Rouge, but the event has a long history with its origins in New York City in 1999. In 2015, eighty events were held around the country throughout November.
Cranksgiving participants need only to bring a bicycle, a lock, and about $20 to spend at five grocery stores around Baton Rouge. A map to those stores and a five item shopping list will be provided, and participants will have two hours to make their purchases and get back to City Park. An average participant will ride around ten miles.
A family friendly option of about five miles is also available, and is suitable for riders of all ages.
Registration for Cranksgiving is free and will be open between 1:00 pm and 1:45 pm. At 1:30pm, Bike Baton Rouge will be presenting the East Baton Rouge Police Department with a special donation of bike lights.
“We will donate 500 LED lights to the Baton Rouge Police Department for our continued commitment to help Light up the Night in Baton Rouge,” said Samantha Morgan, board member of Bike Baton Rouge. “We hope this program will continue to educate people about the importance of riding with lights at night, as well as get them in the hands of people who need them.”
On May 20, 2016, Bike Baton Rouge made its first donation of 100 lights to the Baton Rouge Police Department with the agreement that the agency would give the lights to anyone they see riding without lights rather than issuing a ticket. Riding a bike in Louisiana at night without lights is illegal.
Membership fees and private donations have helped pay for a total of 300 lights. But the donation at Cranksgiving will be the largest yet, thanks to a generous donation from a Bike Baton Rouge member and his employer, Exxon-Mobil.
“At ExxonMobil, safety is always our top value. We’re honored to support Bike Baton Rouge’s efforts to provide additional bike lights to the Baton Rouge Police Department,” explained ExxonMobil Public & Government Affairs Manager Stephanie Cargile. “This donation is the result of hours volunteered by our employees, matched with grants from the ExxonMobil Foundation.”
After Cranksgiving, Bike Baton Rouge will host a dinner and awards ceremony.
Prizes, provided by Bike Baton Rouge as well as local bike stores and restaurants, will be awarded across three categories of riders - Fast, Fun, and Family. While the fastest riders in each category will receive prizes, there will also be prizes for those who spend the most, the least, and those who are the slowest. Bike Baton Rouge says that Cranksgiving is “only a race if you want it to be.”
bikebr.org/cranksgiving
https://www.facebook.com/events/1802618039978521/
Media are invited to preview or cover the event - call Mika Torkkola at 225 571 2906 or email bikebatonrouge@gmail.com for scheduling or information
Bike Baton Rouge is a local non-profit 501 (c) 3 organization and has been dedicated to making bicycling trips in Baton Rouge safer and more enjoyable since 2006.
2015 Cranksgiving
PRESS RELEASE : Mayoral candidates comment on bicycling in Baton Rouge
10/21/16, Baton Rouge, LA
Sharon Weston Broome, Denise Marcelle, Greg LaFleur, Bodi White, and Darryl Gissel’s responses to a five question survey of Baton Rouge’s mayoral candidates facilitated by local bike advocacy organization Bike Baton Rouge were published on Friday morning on the Bike Baton Rouge website at bikebr.org/election2016.
The responses highlight each candidate’s position on bicycle infrastructure and safety in Baton Rouge as well as their previous involvement in improving bicycling conditions in Baton Rouge. Responses from eight metro council candidates were also included.
"As Baton Rouge's bicycle advocacy organization we felt it was our responsibility to make sure each candidate had the opportunity to communicate their position on bicycling issues to our members as well as the general public," said Mika Torkkola, president of Bike Baton Rouge. "And we think the responses do a great job in highlighting what each respondent will be willing to do to make Baton Rouge a better place to ride a bicycle."
Candidates were contacted starting October 6, 2016 via email and social media and had until October 20 to respond. Torkkola says that while not every candidate responded to their request, those who did offered genuine and thoughtful comments.
Those candidates who did not respond can still do so by contacting Bike Baton Rouge. Their answers will be added to the list once they are submitted.
Mika Torkkola
225 571 2906
bikebatonrouge@gmail.com
Bike Baton Rouge is a local non-profit 501 (c) 3 organization and has been dedicated to making bicycling trips in Baton Rouge safer and more enjoyable since 2006.
PRESS RELEASE : Bike Baton Rouge to support Breast Cancer Awareness Month
10/4/16, Baton Rouge, LA
Bike Baton Rouge, a local non-profit organization, is partnering with the Southern University Agricultural Research & Extension Center to raise awareness and funds for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Bike Baton Rouge will be supporting the 10th Annual Pink Party with a Purpose with a ‘Pink Bike Ride’ at this year's event, which will be held on Friday November 4 at Southern University's main campus. Bike Baton Rouge will also donate $5 from each new membership which includes a pink Bike Baton Rouge T-shirt, and $3 from each individual T-shirt sale.
“Women respond better to treatment both when supported by community and when getting regular exercise," said Jessica Stroope, a Bike Baton Rouge member and volunteer who counts breast cancer survivors amongst both her friends and family. "Bicycling with friends is an ideal way to do that - residential streets and designated bike routes are the perfect way to explore our city, get some exercise, and deepen connections with friends."
Getting regular exercise can be tougher than it sounds - statistics from the League of American Bicyclists show that female bicyclists are less likely to choose to bike on roads without bicycle infrastructure, noting that on average, women will travel five minutes more than men to access a bicycle facility such as a bike lane or trail. Bike Baton Rouge hopes its recently released Baton Rouge Bike Map (bikebr.org/map) will be a quick and easy resource to find safe ways to get around Baton Rouge by bicycle.
Bike Baton Rouge's memberships and T-shirts are available on its website (http://bikebr.org/merchandise/) as well as at at the Pink Party with a Purpose event.
http://bikeleague.org/content/increased-comfort-more-women-biking
Mika Torkkola
225 571 2906
bikebatonrouge@gmail.com
Bike Baton Rouge is a local non-profit 501 (c) 3 organization and has been dedicated to making bicycling trips in Baton Rouge safer and more enjoyable since 2006.
Bike Baton Rouge members and volunteers at the State Capitol in April 2016
Meet the Board - Part 7 - Michael Domingue
Michael Domingue is our newest addition to the Bike Baton Rouge Board. He brings with him a wealth of practical knowledge and experience as the FHWA Recreational Trails Administrator for Louisiana.
Who are you and where are you from?
My name is Michael W. Domingue and I am from New Orleans, Louisiana. I have lived throughout Louisiana my entire life.
Why do you love bicycling?
I love it because it is fun, good exercise and cheap transportation.
Why did you join the Bike Baton Rouge board?
I hope to help make the bike community more prominent and influential in public policy-making in East Baton Rouge Parish.
What do you see YOUR role as with Bike Baton Rouge? What do you do and what are you good at?
I want to help build the organization’s membership. I administer the Recreational Trails program for the State of Louisiana. I am good at fundraising and organizing.
What would you consider the greatest challenge to bicycling in Baton Rouge?
Poorly designed automobile infrastructure which blocks cyclists and pedestrians from getting around is the biggest challenge in Baton Rouge.
What are you and Bike Baton Rouge doing to tackle that challenge?
We are trying to find short but impactful bike linkages (filling in the gaps) throughout Baton Rouge.
What will bicycling in Baton Rouge look like in 1/5/20 years time?
1 year: several more short ped-bike connections (like the Pennington Trail Segment and the Riverbend Connectivity Trail) will be completed by BREC and the FHWA Recreational Trails Program for Louisiana.
5 years: The Baton Rouge Downtown Greenway will be completed from City Park/ Brooks Park to the Louisiana State Capitol and the downtown area. The Wards/Dawson Creeks Trails will be completed from Pecue Lane to the Burden Research Center, the LSU AgCenter Botanical Gardens and the Rural Life Museum.
20 years: A ped-bike trail roughly paralleling Perkins Road/Bayou Duplantier will connect LSU to the Wards/Dawson Creeks Trails and beyond. The Wards Creek Trail will extend under the I-10/I-12 interchange into north Baton Rouge connecting to a network of ped-bike trails all the way to Southern University.
What does your 'ideal' day of bike riding in Baton Rouge look like?
I like to ride to work from my home in Riverbend Lakes Subdivision to the Louisiana State Capitol by way of the Riverbend Connectivity/Farr Park Trail to the Mississippi River Levee Ped-Bike Trail. On my way home, I like to shop at Matherne’s Market or stop to get a drink before getting on the levee to go home. On my days off, I like to ride my children and grandchildren to the Riverbend Park (2,000 feet from my house), to the levee, to LSU or to downtown Baton Rouge (Farmers/Artists Market especially).
August Metro Council Meetings and Green Light Plan Tax/Millage
All twelve of Baton Rouge's Metro Council Districts will be holding meetings in the upcoming weeks. These meetings will include discussion of renewing the Green Light Plan's sales tax as well as a proposed millage that will go towards road maintenance/construction as well as "community enhancement and beautification" projects which could (and some might argue should) see improved sidewalks and bicycle infrastructure in and around Baton Rouge.
It's not yet known if that will be the case, but attending the meetings and asking your metro council members is a sure way to find out.
Should the tax and millage pass through the metro council, Baton Rouge will have a chance to vote on the matter in December.
Per the official press release :
"Mayor-President Melvin L. “Kip” Holden has scheduled a series of 12 public meetings in August to gather public input about the next phase of the Green Light Plan.
The proposal calls for a proposed parish-wide 5-mill property, 30-year tax to fund an estimated $452-million in road and street improvements. An estimated $260 million of the project funding would come from bond sales, with the other $192 million coming in the form of pay-as-you-go revenue.
The proposed Green Light Program property tax would free up the existing half-cent sales tax for rehabilitation and community road enhancement projects that include neighborhood road rehab, advanced signalization, pedestrian safety features and beautification.
The proposed tax would allow the Green Light Program to continue at the same pace as it did for its first 10 years, when it used a portion of the half-cent sales tax for road improvements.
The Mayor has scheduled the following public meetings in each council district in August to get public input about possible future projects and funding for the next phase of Green Light Program. The meetings will follow an informal “open house” setting that will include one-on-one discussions and feedback between the public and the staff.
Following the public hearings in August, the proposal calls for the Metro Council to consider in September a resolution for a tax December election, when voters would make the final decision"
Each meeting will take place between 5:30pm and 6:30pm at the dates and locations below.
District 5 - Tuesday, Aug. 2
Charles R. Kelly Community Center
3535 Riley Street
District 12 - Wednesday, Aug. 3
St. Aloysius Catholic Church Parish Hall
2025 Stuart Avenue
District 7- Thursday, Aug. 4
Dr. Martin Luther King Community Center
4000 Gus Young Avenue
District 10 - Tuesday, Aug. 9
Dr. Leo S. Butler Community Center
950 Washington E. Street
District 4 - Thursday, Aug. 11
Central Branch Library
11260 Joor Road
District 2 - Tuesday, Aug. 16
Scotlandville Branch Library
7373 Scenic Highway
District 1 - Wednesday, Aug.17
Zachary Branch Library
1900 Church Street, Zachary
District 6 - Thursday, Aug 18
BREC Saia Park
855 N. Donmoor Avenue
District 11 - Tuesday, Aug. 23
Main Library, 1st Floor Meeting Room
711 Goodwood Blvd.
District 8 - Thursday, Aug. 15
Jones Creek Branch Library
6222 Jones Creek Road
District 3 - Tuesday, Aug. 30
Bluebonnet Branch Library
200 Bluebonnet Blvd.
District 9 - Wednesday, Aug. 31
Bluebonnet Branch Library
9200 Bluebonnet Blvd.
What district are you in? Check out this map.
Meet the Board - Part 6 - Claire Pittman
Claire Pittman is behind the Baton Rouge Bike Routes and Rides facebook page, where Baton Rouge bicyclists share routes, rides and advice about riding in Baton Rouge (and beyond). Claire and several other parents at the Baton Rouge FLAIM school formed a Bike Club - allowing their children to ride to school together in a safe and enjoyable environment.
Who are you and where are you from?
Claire Pittman, born and raised in Lake Charles, LA. I studied Mass Communications at LSU and Business at University of Nottingham. I have two delightful children, Liam and Mary. I am currently on the Bike BR board, secretary of the Garden District Civic Association and president of the BR FLAIM PTO and a member of the Celtic Society of Louisiana.
My husband and I began riding bikes around three years ago. We were told by our trusty European friends to get a cheap one-speed bike from Wal-Mart and don’t over think it. Not only did we get cheap bikes, we got the cheapest bikes they had – the decrepit, slightly rusty bikes that had been left in the rain, and our biking adventure began. We started biking from the Garden District to the Farmers Market and the occasional jaunt around the LSU lakes. About two years ago, there was a turning point in my life. I started my own company and was able to work from home, and my kids started attending a neighborhood school, Baton Rouge Foreign Language Academic Immersion Magnet (BR FLAIM). When my husband and I made the decision to live, work and play in Mid-City Baton Rouge, it allowed me to be able to pick up both my kids from school, attend meetings downtown and shop for groceries via bicycle!
Why do you love bicycling?
I love the freedom, surrounded by air, sunshine and nature, being with my family, connection with the community, wind in my hair.
Why did you join the Bike Baton Rouge board?
The past few years I have found myself becoming an impromptu bike supporter. Two years ago, I formed the Baton Rouge Bike Routes and Rides Facebook page to expose beginners and casual bikers, especially parents, that biking is very much obtainable in Baton Rouge. This year, with the help of fellow FLAIM bike-riding parents, we formed the BR FLAIM Bike Club to give FLAIM students and their families the opportunity to learn safe urban cycling skills through safety programs, obstacle courses, group ride events and an adult-lead bike train to school.
What do you see YOUR role as with Bike Baton Rouge? What do you do and what are you good at?
My role is encouraging and educating schools and families that bicycling is possible in Baton Rouge. I want to get people comfortable on the streets, and I want to create advocacy and publicity for family biking!
I have over 10 years experience in communications, public policy and disaster recovery. I’m a practical ideas person who works tirelessly to make those ideas happen.
What would you consider the greatest challenge to bicycling in Baton Rouge?
BR’s biggest challenge is Safety. Pedestrians cannot walk, bike or jog safely in this city, and the needed public support and encouragement is not where it needs to be.
What are you and Bike Baton Rouge doing to tackle that challenge?
My goal is to encourage more casual bikers and parents to get on the streets as much as they can. The more visible we are the more the movement will grow. Bike BR hosts safety events at neighborhood schools, which educates kids and parents on safety gear and hand signals. We also host group bike rides.
What will bicycling in Baton Rouge look like in 1/5/20 years time?
I believe we will have more dedicated bike lanes – hopefully on Government Street, S. Eugene St and in North BR.
What is does your 'ideal' day of bike riding in Baton Rouge look like?
Clear, cool day, biking my kids to school, heading off to a work meeting, and spending the rest of the day completing normal, daily tasks.
Bike Baton Rouge Board Members (Left to Right) Claire Pittman, Samantha Morgan, Alaric 'Ric' Haag, Kellen Gilbert, Mika Torkkola and Doug Moore
(Photograph by Irene Kato)
Senate Bill No. 171 heading to final House reading on Tuesday!
Bicyclists in April at a ride in support of Senate Bill No. 171
Senate Bill No. 171, which would increase penalties for motorists who kill or injure Vulnerable Road Users such as bicyclists, pedestrians, and motorcyclists, will read for the final time in the Louisiana House of Representatives on Tuesday, May 24th. Should the bill pass a vote in this session, it will head to the Senate for final approval before being sent to Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards to be signed into law.
Bike Baton Rouge and our representatives and friends were present at both the Senate Committee hearing (in April), where several spoke in support of the bill, and the House Committee meeting (in May), where the bill passed without comments or objections.
To maximize the chances of this bill successfully passing through the House, we want YOUR help in contacting your Representatives and telling them why this bill is important to you. You can do so by contacting your representatives at the email addresses here. If you're not sure who your representatives are, you can find out here and here.
Senate Bill No. 171 is based on a model act that has already been made law in nine states. If passed in Louisiana, it would make walking, bicycling, and using our roads in general a safer and more enjoyable experience for everyone.
Thank you for supporting Senate Bill No. 171!
Bike Baton Rouge
Senate Bill No. 171 to be heard Wednesday May 11th.
Bike Baton Rouge and Varsity Sports hosted a bike/run event in support of SB 171 that was attended by over a hundred runners and bicyclists
Bike Baton Rouge needs YOUR help.
Senate Bill No. 171, which would create or increase penalties for motorists who kill or maim vulnerable road users (including bicyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians) due to careless driving, will be going before the House Committee on the Administration of Criminal Justice next week on Wednesday, May 11th. The bill passed the Senate Committee hearing (complete with three committee members agreeing to co-author the bill) and then passed through the Senate with only one vote against (and thirty-three for!
The committee in question will decide if the bill goes forward to be voted on by the house. We’re asking for YOUR help in letting those committee members know what this bill means to you and how it can protect the people of Louisiana.
There are several ways that you can help :
1) Between now and Wednesday, call or email the committee members (listed below) and tell them you support Senate Bill No 171.
Adams, Bryan (504)361-6013
Bacala, Tony (225)677-8020 bacalat@legis.la.gov
Bagneris, John H. (504)243-7783
Barras, Taylor F. (337)373-4051
Carpenter, Barbara (225)771-5674
Dwight, Stephen (337)491-2315
Gaines, Randal L. (985)652-1228
Hazel, Lowell C. "Chris" (318)767-6082
Hodges, Valarie (225)791-2199 hodgesv@legis.la.gov
Howard, Frank A. (318)256-4135
James, Edward C. "Ted" (225)343-3633 james.ted@legis.la.gov
Landry, Terry (337)373-9380
Leger, Walt III (504)556-9970
Lopinto, Joseph P. (504)838-5430
Mack, Sherman Q. (225)567-3677 macks@legis.la.gov
Marcelle, Denise (225)359-9362 marcelled@legis.la.gov
Norton, Barbara M. (318)632-5887
Pylant, Steve E. (318)435-7313
More information on the committee
The committee members listed in italics, in particular, represent those of us in the Baton Rouge area, and would make great allies in getting this bill to pass. Ted James and Denise Marcelle represent districts in East Baton Rouge parish, Valarie Hodges and Tony Bacala represent Prairieville and Denham Springs respectively. Sherman Macks is the Chair of the committee.
Contacting these committee members is the NUMBER ONE thing that you can do to help this bill pass. You'll see a sample of what you can tell them further down this page.
2) If you are available on Wednesday, May 11th, we’d love for you to come down to the State Capitol and show your support for SB 171 by attending the hearing, which begins at 9:30 am.You can do this in one of three ways :
- Show up to the hearing and fill out a card, usually green, in support of the bill. This card and your name will be read and counted in favour of the bill prior to the vote. If you are unable to stay for the length of the hearing, you can fill this card out and leave at any time.
- On top of filling out the above card, you can stay throughout the rest of the hearing, ideally sitting with a group of other folks (pedestrians, runners, mobility device users, bicyclists, motorcyclists and more) to show your support. Wearing a bright Bike Baton Rouge or other bicycle shirt is recommended to make sure you’re identified in the crowd.
- Finally, if you’re brave, you can ask to be given a chance to address the committee. You’ll be given a short period to read a prepared statement or speak ‘from the heart’ in support of the bill. If you’d like help preparing such a statement, please shoot us an email at bikebatonrouge@gmail.com and we’ll help draft one up!
3) Whether you do all of the above or none of them - please help us get the message out to your friends, families and neighbours by talking to them, sharing our news posts, and generally encouraging others to get involved.
Senate Bill No. 171 is a bill that protects everyone. Even those who never bike, run, or walk for recreation or exercise spend some part of their day on foot, even if it’s walking to the car and back. The only people this bill hurts are those who choose to drive carelessly and put the rest of lives, and the lives of our families, in danger.
If you have any further questions on how you can help, shoot us an email at bikebatonrouge@gmail.com and we'll be happy to help you get involved!
Resources :
If you plan on calling, emailing, or attending the hearing, you might find the below items useful :
Bike Baton Rouge Statement on SB 171
Bike Baton Rouge Statement following passing of SB 171 from Senate Committee
League of American Bicyclists Bike Law University explanation of the Vulnerable Roar User Law
Peopleforbikes.org Statistics Page
"Louisiana has 2nd most bicycle deaths per capita in the country"
"Louisiana ranked 3rd for obesity, Baton Rouge ranked worst city"
Sample Email :
Dear Representative [NAME],
I understand that you sit on the House Committee on the Administration of Criminal Justice, and your committee will be hearing Senate Bill No. 171 on Wednesday, May 11th. The bill in question would offer greater protections to pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcyclists and other vulnerable road users from those motorists who choose to endanger them by driving carelessly.
Louisiana ranks second in the nation for bicycle deaths per capita. Fifteen percent of Louisiana traffic fatalities take the life of a pedestrian, bicyclist or other Vulnerable Road User. The legal means to penalize those motorists who make walking, bicycling or motorcycling dangerous are few and far between. It is all too common for drivers who are involved in crashes that kill or maim these road users to escape prosecution entirely.
I urge you and your committee to pass Senate Bill No. 171, which would do a great deal of good in keeping the citizens of Louisiana safe while out on our roadways.
(http://www.nola.com/news/baton-rouge/index.ssf/2014/10/louisiana_no_2_in_country_for.html)
(https://www.businessreport.com/article/baton-rouge-deemed-obese-city-america).
Sample testimony we gave at the Senate Committee Hearing :
"Hello,
My name is Mika Torkkola. Today I’m here on behalf of Bike Baton Rouge, representing thousands of bicyclists in the Baton Rouge Area. When I’m not on my bike, I’m also sometimes a pedestrian, a runner, and occasionally even a driver of a motor vehicle.
In May of 2015 I was hit by a car along with two friends. I walked away from that crash, but my two friends were not so fortunate. One of them, Justin Weber, suffered a severe brain injury, internal bleeding and damaged vertebrae. Justin faced several months of recovery and rehabilitation before he was able to return to work, and several more before he was back to riding a bicycle.
I have personally seen the damage that a motor vehicle can do to the human body. I would not wish it upon anyone.
Similar damage was done to our friend Gordon Mese in August of last year when he was hit by a driver that ran a stop sign. The crash put Gordon in hospital, and out of work for a month. The driver received a ticket for running the stop sign, but no charges were brought against them for the serious injuries that their action caused to Gordon.
It is an unfortunate truth that bicycling, walking, or running on Louisiana’s roads can be a dangerous activity.
Senate Bill number 171 is not a radical proposal. Similar bills have already passed in nine other states, and each one has seen a reduction in injury and fatality rates amongst the most vulnerable of road users.
This bill would see similar results in Louisiana.
I would urge all of the committee members, regardless of whether they themselves walk, run, bike or otherwise, to consider the safety and wellbeing of themselves, their friends and families, and their constituents by voting in favour of this bill.
Thank you."
Full text of the bill :
"Proposed law creates the crime of infliction of serious injury or death on a public road user, which is the inflicting of serious bodily injury upon the person of a public road user or the killing of a public road user when caused proximately or caused directly by an offender engaged in the operation of a motor vehicle in a careless manner.
Proposed law defines a "public road user" as:
(1) A pedestrian, including but not limited to a person engaged in work upon a public highway
or other roadway, or in work upon utility facilities along a public highway or other roadway,
or engaged in the provision of emergency services within the right-of-way of a public
highway or other roadway.
(2) A person riding or leading an animal upon a public highway or other roadway.
(3) A person lawfully operating or riding any of the following on a public right-of-way,
crosswalk, or shoulder of a public highway or other roadway:
(a) A bicycle, tricycle, or other pedal-powered vehicle.
(b) A farm tractor or similar vehicle designed primarily for farm use.
(c) A skateboard, roller skates, or in-line skates.
(d) A motorcycle, moped, or scooter.
(e) An animal-drawn wheeled vehicle, farm equipment, or sled.
(f) An electric personal assistive mobility device.
(g) A wheelchair, rollator, rolling walker, or walker.
Proposed law provides that a person issued a traffic citation pursuant to proposed law must attend a hearing on the citation before a court having jurisdiction over the alleged offense.
Proposed law provides that a person found to have committed an offense causing serious bodily
injury under proposed law may have his driving privileges suspended for a period of not more than one year and in addition may be:
(1) Fined not more than $2,000.
(2) Imprisoned for up to 90 days.
(3) Ordered to complete a court-approved motor vehicle accident prevention program.
(4) Ordered to perform not more than 200 hours of community service.
Proposed law provides that a person found to have committed an offense causing death under proposed law may be imprisoned with or without hard labor for not more than five years, fined not more than $5,000, or both."
On behalf of all of bike baton rouge, and everyone who walks, bikes, motorcycles or uses a road in Louisiana, thank you!
Bike Baton Rouge
Press release - Bike Baton Rouge applauds passing of SB 171 from Committee Hearing
4/13/16
Baton Rouge, LA
Bike Baton Rouge was extremely pleased to see Senate Bill 171 passed with overwhelming support by the Senate Judiciary Committee C on Tuesday, April 12. The bill, which increases penalties for motorists who kill or maim vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, bicyclists or motorcyclists due to careless driving, was amended slightly before being passed, complete with three committee members choosing to co-author the bill.
“It’s really a fantastic result, we could not have imagined greater support from our Senators,” said Mika Torkkola of Bike Baton Rouge. “That Senators Colomb, Mills and Carter chose to co-author this bill speaks volumes about how much this bill means to these senators and their constituents, and of the bill’s chances of passing both through the Senate and the House.”
Several Bike Baton Rouge members were present to offer support and testimony in favor of the bill, joining pedestrians, runners, motorcyclists and users of mobility aids from around Louisiana. The bill is modeled on similar bills that have already passed successfully in nine other states (Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Maine, Oregon, Utah, Vermont, and Washington)
Over a hundred walkers, runners and bicyclists participated in a combined walk/run event in support of the bill that was organized by Bike Baton Rouge and Varsity Sports on the Monday evening before the hearing.
On behalf of its members and of all bicyclists, pedestrians and other vulnerable road users in Baton Rouge and Louisiana, Bike Baton Rouge would like to thank Senators Smith and Hilferty, the original authors of the bill, Senators Colomb, Mills, and Carter, new co-authors of the bill, and the rest of the Judiciary Senate Committee C for moving favorably on this important piece of legislation.
For more information, visit bikebr.org, look up Bike Baton Rouge on facebook, or email Bike Baton Rouge at bikebatonrouge@gmail.com
Mika Torkkola
225 571 2906
bikebatonrouge@gmail.com
Bike Baton Rouge is a local non-profit 501 (c) 3 organization and has been dedicated to making bicycling trips in Baton Rouge safer and more enjoyable since 2006.
Press release - Bike Baton Rouge and Varsity Sports support SB 171 with Run / Ride event
4/11/16
Baton Rouge, LA
Bike Baton Rouge and Varsity Sports will be holding a short three mile Run / Bike Ride event on Monday, April 11th beginning at the State Capitol. The events are being held to raise awareness for Senate Bill No. 171 which will be heard by the Senate Judiciary Committee C on Tuesday, April 12th. SB 171 aims to increase penalties for motorists who kill or maim vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, bicyclists or motorcyclists due to distracted or dangerous driving.
“We hope that the members of the Judiciary Committee will see our event and recognize the number of bicyclists and runners there who support this bill so strongly that they’re willing to come out be counted,” said Mika Torkkola, of Bike Baton Rouge.
The run, which is put on by Varsity Sports, a running store with a location in Baton Rouge and New Orleans, will begin at 5:30 pm, and the bike ride, organized by Bike Baton Rouge, will take to the same route at 6:00 pm. Both events are open to runners and bicyclists of all ages and abilities. Bicyclists are asked to make sure they have front and rear tail lights per Louisiana law.
Senate Bill No. 171 will be heard starting from 9:30 am on Tuesday, April 12th. Both Bike Baton Rouge and Varsity Sports members will be present at the hearing, representing Baton Rouge and Louisiana bicyclists and runners respectively.
For more information, visit bikebr.org, look up Bike Baton Rouge on facebook, or email Bike Baton Rouge at bikebatonrouge@gmail.com
Mika Torkkola
225 571 2906
bikebatonrouge@gmail.com
Bike Baton Rouge is a local non-profit 501 (c) 3 organization and has been dedicated to making bicycling trips in Baton Rouge safer and more enjoyable since 2006.
Press Release - Bike Baton Rouge statement on Senate Bill No. 171
4/08/16
Baton Rouge, LA
On behalf of thousands of bicyclists in Baton Rouge, Bike Baton Rouge would like to voice our support for the proposed Senate Bill No. 171 to be heard by the Senate Judiciary Committee C on Tuesday, April 12th. The bill in question increases penalties for motorists who injure or kill other road users due to distracted or dangerous driving. It would provide much needed protection for bicyclists, motorcyclists, pedestrians, and all other road users who are not traveling inside a motor vehicle.
In August of 2015, the Center for Disease Control released a report ranking Louisiana third in the nation for bicyclist deaths per capita. Fifteen percent of Louisiana traffic fatalities take the life of a pedestrian, bicyclist or other Vulnerable Road User. It is an unfortunate truth that bicycling or walking in Louisiana can be a dangerous activity.
The legal means to penalize those motorists who make it dangerous are few and far between. It is all too common for drivers who are involved in crashes that kill or maim pedestrians, bicyclists or motorcyclists to escape prosecution entirely, such as the case of Baton Rouge resident Gordon Mese, who was riding a bicycle when he was hit by a driver who ran a stop sign in August 2015. Gordon suffered severe injuries and was forced to close his business while he recovered, while the driver who hit Gordon escaped with just a fine for running the stop sign.
Senate Bill No. 171 is modeled on similar bills which have already passed in nine other states. Each has proved to be successful at both decreasing injury and fatality rates amongst the most vulnerable of road users and increasing penalties on drivers who choose to break the law.
We are of the opinion that Senate Bill No. 171 is a common sense law that will do a great deal to help protect the pedestrians, bicyclists and motorcyclists of Louisiana. We urge the members of the Senate Judiciary Committee C to pass Senate Bill No. 171.
For more information, visit bikebr.org, look up Bike Baton Rouge on facebook, or email Bike Baton Rouge at bikebatonrouge@gmail.com
Mika Torkkola
225 571 2906
bikebatonrouge@gmail.com
Bike Baton Rouge is a local non-profit 501 (c) 3 organization and has been dedicated to making bicycling trips in Baton Rouge safer and more enjoyable since 2006.