Last updated: 29th April 2004

Legislation supported by the Missouri Bicycle Federation (MoBikeFed) has passed the Missouri Senate and reached the House Transportation Committee. There, some opposition to portions of the bill has arisen. MoBikeFed representatives have been working on a compromise version of the bill that will satisfy the objections that have been raised.

As of 25 April 2004, the provisions that will be in the final version of the bill are:

• Motorists, bicyclists, and motorcyclists must exercise the highest degree of care generally and, in particular, to avoid hitting bicyclists, motorcyclists, and pedestrians
• Motorists must exercise the highest degree of care by leaving a "safe distance" when passing a bicyclist
• Bike lane regulations (no rules currently exist)
• Shoulder regulations (clarifying current muddy situation)
• CAUTIOUS bicyclist rolling stop is allowed at stop signs; bicyclists still must slow WAY down and YIELD to any cross-traffic
• 20 MPH school zone speed limit (this will be a "standard-setting" type of law, not an absolute "mandate"--since cities and not the state set speed limits in most school zones, and MO is not big on having the state mandate to local communities what to do)
• Improved definition of bicycle (allows for tricycles, quadracycles, etc.)
• Misdemeanor and felony assault provisions will specifically mention that recklessly/purposefully injuring someone (pedestrian or bicyclist, for instance) with a vehicle is assault
• Similar provision for felony involuntary manslaughter: the law will specifically mention that recklessly/negligently killing someone (pedestrian or bicyclist, for instance) with a vehicle is involuntary manslaughter

How to support this important bill

Please contact members of the House Transportation Committee with this message:

"Please support the bicycle/pedestrian/motorcycle provisions of SB710. SB710 helps clarify the responsibilities of bicyclists, pedestrians, motorcyclists, and motorists so that all can work together to make Missouri's roads safer."

There are a lot of members of the House Transportation Committee. If you're short on time, just write to a few (those closest to you, or just at random):

• Larry.Crawford@house.mo.gov
• Charlie.Schlottach@house.mo.gov
• Dan.Bishop@house.mo.gov
• Lanie.Black@house.mo.gov
• Mike.Daus@house.mo.gov
• Gary.Dusenberg@house.mo.gov
• Kevin.Engler@house.mo.gov
• Tom.Green@house.mo.gov
• Wayne.Henke@house.mo.gov
• Robert.Hilgemann@house.mo.gov
• Robin.Jones@house.mo.gov
• Gayle.Kingery@house.mo.gov
• JC.Kuessner@house.mo.gov
• Brad.Lager@house.mo.gov
• Ryan.McKenna@house.mo.gov
• Rex.Rector@house.mo.gov
• Joe.Smith@house.mo.gov
• Mike.Sutherland@house.mo.gov
• Kevin.Threlkeld@house.mo.gov
• Terry.Young@house.mo.gov