Meeting – Page 5

Now is your chance to learn more about your rights and responsibilities as a bike rider. On September 24th, 6:30pm-8:00pm at The Atrium Building (Sloat Room), Olive & 10th, Derek Johnson, of Johnson, Clifton, Larson & Schaller P.C., will present and answer questions relating to civil justice, insurance, and liability associated with bike crashes.

It is your chance to ask questions like: “Do I need to get the name and phone number of the guy that pulled right into me while I was riding down…?” or “Am I liable for hit and run if I run into a pedestrian and leave the scene without talking to them?” Your questions are probably something that we all want to know and this is the night to learn — for free. So, grab your biking friends and bring them to the GEARs legal clinic, this Thursday evening. Bring your headlights too.

Empower yourself and attend. Free to the public.

The GEARs Board met yesterday afternoon and came to agreement that as an organization GEARs supports HB2690, otherwise known as the “Idaho Stop Bill” that would allow cyclists to treat stop signs as yield signs.

The April 13th GEARs Meeting has also been rescheduled to allow Board and general members to make public comments about the cities position at the April 13 City Council Meeting. The new meeting will be held on April 27th at 7:00 pm at the Keystone.

Background:
A letter was written (download PDF) by the city’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator on behalf of the Inter-Governmental Relations Committee (IGR) without consulting the Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) or the bike community at large. In that letter the City stated it’s position as opposing the bill. Because of the reaction from the bike community to that letter the IGR (made up of three city council members) re-evaluated their position and two members changed from “Oppose” to “Neutral”. Because it was no longer unanimous it automatically goes to the full City Council for a vote to support, oppose, or be neutral on the bill. And that is where GEARs members come in.

A CALL TO ACTION:
GEARs members are encouraged to attend the City Council Meeting and share your opinion on the Bill and/or the city’s process in developing their position. They are reconsidering the City’s position and will likely be voting that night. Time for public comment is at the beginning of the meeting- Monday, April 13th at 7:30 p.m. Get there early to sign in. There will also be a lot of skateboarders there to support the new Washington/Jefferson Park so it will be a great show of Active Transportation modes- we’ll be taking over and letting the Council know that we want to see change in priorities to more healthy, safe, and sustainable transportation options and we want the City to communicate with us!

The BPAC will also be discussing this issue and taking a position at their meeting this evening- 5:30 p.m., Atrium Building, Sloat Room.

And finally, there was a Guest Viewpoint in todays Register Guard from our Vice-President, Jay Klein.