== Bike-Walk Alliance of NH ==

Emails and letters of support for HB-1203:

The following are only several of the known emails and letters sent to the NH Transportation Committee prior to the first hearing on January 22. Please consider writing your own email or letter of support to help push this bike bill through the whole process in Concord!

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January 3, 2008

The Honorable Jim Ryan
Chairman, Transportation Committee
33 North State Street
Legislative Office Building, Room 203
Concord, N.H. 03301

The Honorable Robert Williams
Vice Chairman, Transportation Committee
33 North State Street
Legislative Office Building, Room 203
Concord, N.H. 03301

Dear Mr. Chairman and Mr. Vice-Chairman:
On behalf of the 300,000 affiliated members of the League of American Bicyclists, I write to you today in support of H.B. 1203. This bill would establish additional rules of the road relating to bicycles and would also require the department of transportation to minimize bicycle hazards relating to rumble strips, drain gates, and road surface treatments on highways. I should note that several other States currently have adopted such provisions.
A critical element of the League's mission is to protect and promote the rights of bicyclists. In all 50 state vehicle codes, bicyclists have the rights and responsibilities of other vehicle operators. Therefore, bicyclists, like all other road users, need a complete interconnected transportation network that is designed to be both convenient and safe. Better conditions for bicyclists will also enable residents and visitors alike to enjoy safer bicycling in New Hampshire - increasing the health and economic well-being of individuals and communities throughout New Hampshire.

Bike crashes with motor vehicles are a terrible fact of life. We do all we can to help bicyclists avoid them through our education and advocacy programs, but the sad reality is that every year an average of 700 people are killed while riding their bikes. Around 45,000 riders are injured each year in collisions with motor vehicles. Laws such as H.B. 1203 are instrumental in helping to reduce the number of bicycle related fatalities.

I urge you to pass H.B. 1203. If I can provide further information or guidance please do not hesitate to contact me at (202) 822-1333.

Sincerely,

Andy Clarke
LAB Executive Director

From: Bill Fisk
To: jryan@metrocast.net ; robert.williams@leg.state.nh.us ; jennifer.brown@leg.state.nh.us ; penningtonbrown@comcast.net ; cunham@worldpath.net ; cestes@makeitplain.com ; ingyp@earthlink.net ; mairin@earthlink.net ; obnfd@comcast.net ; jwflanders@hotmail.com ; racing71@aol.com ; pfbergin@gmail.com
Sent: Sunday, December 30, 2007 1:41 PM
Subject: I support HB 1203

Dear Sir:

I use my bicycle instead of a motor vehicle for transportation whenever feasible. Many people consider a bicycle a toy instead of the vehicle it is (RSA 265:143). Passing HB 1203 will remove all doubt and make the roadway safer for bicyclists. Implementation of these ideas may encourage greater bicycle usage.

Bill

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From: Elizabeth Norton
To: jryan@metrocast.net ; rwill2@bis.net ; paul.ingersoll@leg.state.nh.us ; john.flanders@leg.state.nh.us ; howard.cunningham@leg.state.nh.us ; mairin@earthlink.net ; racing71@aol.com ; jeni-b@comcast.net ; carole.estes@leg.state.nh.us ; michael.o'brien@leg.state.nh.us
Sent: Sunday, December 30, 2007 6:06 PM
Subject: HB-1203

cc: Committee Members who do not post their email/or have email: Stephen Nedeau; David Dalrymple; Brenda Ferland; George Katsakiores; Sherman Packard; Mary Allen

Dear NH Transportation Committee & Chairman,

I use my bicycle as transportation in New Hampshire for errands here in Rockingham county. I want to continue to use my bike and even use it for work. However, I do not feel safe. I am not acknowledged as someone who has roadway rights. As a bicyclist in New Hampshire I am not acknowledged when making a left turn at a
light or signal in this state. There are many licensed drivers in this beautiful state that do not understand or know what is happening when I have tried
to make a left turn at a light or intersection. I was surprised, because riding in some very rural sections of Maine, most drivers do respond and
understand the rules of the road with cyclists, I don't mean biking for pleasure, but to get to and from work, and as transportation. I am an experienced at handling traffic and the rules of the road for biking. I may be the only person you will hear from that has biked to Logan Airport, taken the bike apart, put it on the airplane. I bet you did not know that there is a bike route to Logan Airport. Although I did not live in NH at the time, I do know how to ride with traffic.

I also want to use my bike for drive-through banking and restaurants-Dunkin Donuts.
I also want to be able to pass stopped traffic on my right. It is o.k. to do this in other states. Why should I have to hang around the back of someone's SUV sucking up their fumes while I wait for traffic to clear? I am doing the peddle work to keep the environment a bit healthier for the next generation and the state beautiful.
I am a good cyclist and obey the rules. Please support #1203, which would make it safer for me to use my bike as transportation, particularly for :

1. Changing the drain grates so I don't end up in a serious accident.
2. Make rumble strips a safe design.
3. Make road materials safe for me and my bike.

Without your help, I and other cyclist who use our bike for transportation are at risk for a accident, or the very least, another negative biking experience trying to get from A to B.

Sincerely,
Elizabeth Norton

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Dear Chairman Ryan,

I am writing to you to support House Bill 1203 regarding the 2008 NH Bicycling Legislation. I strongly encourage you to support this legislation.

I am a cyclist and have used my bicycle to commute to work in the past. I used to ride 10 miles each way from Holderness to Ashland. I started out on Route 113 in Holderness which is a very narrow road without any comfortable space for cyclists and cars to share. I left very early in the morning and I was very careful – however I did have a couple close calls when cars, trucks passed way too close for comfort. After Route 113, I rode on US Rt. 3 from Holderness to Ashland – once I had reached the edge of town, US Route 3 had excellent, wide shoulders which really made riding a not only a pleasure but safe. I would love to see that type of shoulder (or even ½ of that) on our roads to make commuting safer.

Currently, I work for the State of New Hampshire on Hazen Drive at DES and I still live in Holderness. The 50 mile per day commute is not possible on a daily basis. With the price of gas – every mile I can save by riding my bicycle is money in my pocket. Additionally, I get the added benefit of exercise, which is a bonus. Typically, I park at the park and ride off Exit 17 and cycle into work via Route 132. This is a very busy road early in the morning as well as later in the afternoon. The clearance for motorists passing a bicyclist proposed in this legislation would certainly make this a little safer for those of us who do commute. Also, the legislation talks to roadway design and maintenance that will not impede bicycle traffic or induce hazardous conditions. One of these conditions that was not mentioned is the pavement berms installed along Route 132 leading to East Side Drive. These berms are hazard to cyclists… our bicycle pedals hit them if we get “pushed” over or hit them, and if we have to get out of the way in a hurry, they are treacherous. I do understand DOT must have had a good reason for installation, but I’m wondering if there was an alternative solution.

I am one of those folks who sincerely would like to add cycling to my commute several times a week during the spring, summer and fall. It would be a huge benefit to the entire cycling world if you would please support the 2008 NH Bicycling Legislation: House Bill #1203.

Thank you in advance for your service to the state! I do hope that on behalf of the NH cycling community you are able to promote and support this much needed safety legislation.

Most Sincerely,

Susan Francesco
Holderness, NH 03245

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From: "Cleaver Aaron C TSgt 157ARW/MDG" <aaron.cleaver@nhpeas.ang.af.mil>
To: <jryan@metrocast.net>; <rwill2@bis.net>; <robert.williams@leg.state.nh.us>; <penningtonbrown@comcast.net>; <penn.brown@leg.state.nh.us>; <paul.ingersoll@leg.state.nh.us>; <john.flanders@leg.state.nh.us>; <howard.cunningham@leg.state.nh.us>; <mairin@earthlink.net>; <racing71@aol.com>; <jennifer.brown@leg.state.nh.us>; <carole.estes@leg.state.nh.us>; <michael.o'brien@leg.state.nh.us>; "'Bike-Walk Alliance of NH (Dave T.)'" <dave@bwanh.org>
Sent: Friday, January 04, 2008 7:37 AM
Subject: House Bill #1203, BIKES!

>
> Hello members of the Transporation Committee.
>
> I wish to express my enthusiasm for seeing HB 1203 passed. This bill would
> make a big difference in my commute to work and it would encourage more
> people to ride their bikes to work as an occasional alternative to driving.
>
> My commute is about 18 miles one way. I live in Barrington and I work at
> Pease Air National Guard Base in Newington. During the winter I may ride my
> bike to work just once a week but in the Spring through Fall I ride three or
> four days a week. This mileage adds up. It keeps me in shape and saves me
> money because I don't buy as much gas.
>
> I realize that bicycles are often viewed as recreation, and they certainly
> can be. In my case however it is entirely practical transportation. I
> think the big reason more folks don't consider riding for transportation is
> that they do not feel safe on the road. Even experienced cyclists that I
> know think that some routes on my commute are just not safe for bicycles
> because of the speed of passing motorists. This bill would go a long way to
> helping improve riding conditions. It would create more awareness among
> motorists.
>
> I've read the bill as introduced and the most relevant section to me is the
> safety zone for passing motorists. I ride on Route 4 and Route 125. Some
> drivers think I have no right to be there and they make this known. They
> pass closely at very high speeds. This is very dangerous.
>
> Passing this bill would make my commute to work safer when I'm riding my
> bike. I'm also a motorist, and from that perspective I see no drawbacks to
> this bill being passed. If there are any I can't think of them. I plan to
> attend the first hearing for this bill to express my thoughts about this. I
> hope you will be there. Please also consider forwarding this email to those
> on the committee whose emails addresses are not listed.
>
> Thank you for your time, and for considering bikes valid transportation.
> They are!
>
>
> Aaron C. Cleaver, TSgt, NHANG
> Public Health
> 157th Medical Group
> Pease ANGB, NH 03803-0157

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From: Maura Carriel
To: jryan@metrocast.net ; robert.williams@leg.state.nh.us ; robert.williams@leg.state.nh.us ; jennifer.brown@leg.state.nh.us ; penningtonbrown@comcast.net ; cunham@worldpath.net ; cestes@makeitplain.com ; ingyp@earthlink.net ; mairin@earthlink.net ; obnfd@comcast.net ; jwflanders@hotmail.com ; racing71@aol.com ; pfbergin@gmail.com
Cc: info@bwanh.org
Sent: Friday, January 04, 2008 10:31 AM
Subject: Support for HB1203

Dear Chairman, Vice-Chairman and members of the NH Transportation Committee:

I would like to express my overwhelming support for HB1203, which will improve the recognition of bicyclists as legitimate vehicle operators on NH’s roadways, as well as improve the safety and practical use of bicycles as transportation. As long-time cyclist who frequently commutes by bicycle, I am very familiar with the barriers to bicycle commuting in my corner of NH. Proposed HB1203 will help reduce many of those barriers, at little or no cost to the State and all taxpayers.

As a former community/transportation planner here in NH and now a registered nurse, I understand the influence that good public policy can play on the overall health of all citizens. I see daily the repercussions of inactive lifestyles on children and adults in NH. While this legislation will not create a flood of new bicycle commuters, it will go a long way toward making NH a much friendlier environment for all bicyclists. This legislation is a “no-brainer” from my perspective.

I ask that you support HB1203 as written, and recommend its passage to the full House.

Thank you-
Maura Carriel
Rollinsford, NH 03869

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From: Linda Gould
Sent: Monday, January 14, 2008 5:02 PM

Dear Transportation Committee Member:

Re: Bill HB-1203

Bicycling as a means of transportation is becoming more important as the years go by. I, a retired person, try to use my bicycle as a means of transportation here in Bedford and realize there are issues that this bill will help to alleviate.

Since towns have only so much money for widening roads designed long ago, the 3 foot rule will help to make these narrow country roads a lot safer. With cars being so big, I have found cars come much too close for comfort many times. The added incentive to be aware of distance from bicycles will be helpful to avoid crashes.

Going to the bank on 101 and being able to use the drive through if I want is an option I should have.

Since it is necessary to use turn lanes to get off 101 at intersections with lights, having a legal right to take the turning lanes or ride where it is necessary is fitting and proper. Although this action is allowed as a bicycle is a valid transportation vehicle, the emphasis is important.

As I travel to nearby towns the construction of the roads is important to promote safety: grates in the proper direction, rumble strips not hindering my being able to maneuver safely, and condition of shoulders or regular road surface ( e.g. roughness as encountered in Loudon).

I hope that you work to pass this law to make New Hampshire a safer place for bicyling commuters and people trying to use their bicycles for their "errands".

Sincerely,
Linda Gould, 472-3877
Bedford, NH 03110

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From: "Bike-Walk Alliance of NH (Dave T.)" <dave@bwanh.org>
To: <pfbergin@gmail.com>; <racing71@aol.com>; <jwflanders@hotmail.com>; <obnfd@comcast.net>; <mairin@earthlink.net>; <ingyp@earthlink.net>; <cestes@makeitplain.com>; <cunham@worldpath.net>; <penningtonbrown@comcast.net>; <jennifer.brown@leg.state.nh.us>; <robert.williams@leg.state.nh.us>; <jryan@metrocast.net>
Sent: Friday, January 18, 2008 11:05 AM
Subject: Support for HB-1203, an Act Relative to Bicycles

> January 18, 2008
>
> The Honorable Jim Ryan
> Chairman, Transportation Committee
> 33 North State Street
> Legislative Office Building, Room 203
> Concord, N.H. 03301
>
> cc: Full NH Transportation Committee
>
> Re: HB-1203, an Act Relative to Bicycles
>
>
> Dear Mr. Chairman,
>
> As a NH resident since 1962 and being involved with organized bicycling
> since 1971, I have seen most of the Granite State while cycling. Our state
> has much to offer the bicycling community but with HB-1203 enacted our
> environment could be much better.
>
> My personal observations and feedback from both the Granite State Wheelmen
> (GSW) bicycling club and the Bike-Walk Alliance of NH (BWA-NH) members
> prompted Representative Gene Andersen and me to draft HB-1203. We feel that
> with some relatively minor changes in policy, roadway design, and
> enforcement that bicycling in NH will be safer, more practical, and be
> better recognized as a true form of transportation on our roads.
>
> Other aspects of bicycling would also benefit from HB-1203. Recreational
> cycling, tourism, health, exercise, and less pollution are all promoted by
> an infrastructure which accommodates bicyclists. When such can be
> accomplished with little or no financial impact, then everyone wins.
>
> Over the past several weeks I have been promoting support for HB-1203
> likewise trying to find potential issues prior to the hearing on January 22.
> The bill is actually modeled after similar legislation enacted in Maine last
> year and in other states previously. I have spoken with several key people
> within NH DOT and have sought input from NH DOS/DMV. While some questions
> did arise, the overall support for HB-1203 has been very positive.
>
> The letter below from the League of American Bicyclists (LAB) in Washington
> DC was initially sent only to Mr. Ryan and Mr. Williams of your
> Transportation Committee. All members of the committee may wish to read the
> comments from Executive Director Andy Clarke. The LAB has been a voice for
> bicyclists since 1880 and was instrumental in having our roadways paved
> during the “Good Roads Movement” some 120 years ago.
>
> More details will be provided at the scheduled January 22 hearing. I hope
> to have an opportunity to testify at that time in support of HB-1203. Thank
> you for your attention!
>
> Respectfully submitted,
>
> David S. Topham
> BWA-NH Education & Safety Director
> Salem, NH 03079-2332

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