http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...nsult-cyclists
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Unbeknownst to Florida Bicycle Association, a mandatory bike lane use provision was included in the Highway Safety & Motor Vehicles bill. The bill also allows local governments to permit mopeds, golf-carts and other motorized vehicles on sidewalks and trails.
Email and/or call Governor Crist as soon as you can to ask him to veto this bill. Florida already has a "ride as far right as practicable" law, so a cyclist who is riding in that manner would already be in a bike lane, if one exists, according to the present law. Under the best interpretation, the change in the law is not good for cyclists and confusing for everybody - the new wording is not completely clear and could be interpreted by an officer or judge that a bicycle is forbidden to leave the bike lane under any circumstances.
In short, the amended law does nothing but eliminate all of the already too limited exceptions, and opens YOU up for harassment by motorists and law enforcement whenever a bike lane is present.
So far, there have only been 200 calls/e-mails made/sent to the governor's office. We need at least 2500 to have a realistic chance of having it vetoed.
Email Crist and your representatives now. Remember, it is best if you send an email, even better if you email and call:
Governor Crist:
EMAIL:
Charlie.Crist@MyFlorida.com
PHONE: (850) 488-7146 or (850) 488-4441
Lieutenant Governor Kottkamp:
EMAIL:
Jeff.Kottkamp@MyFlorida.com
Senator Bill Nelson:
CONTACT AT:
http://billnelson.senate.gov/
Look up your state representative here:
https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml
Additional discussion can be found here:
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...nsult-cyclists
http://commuteorlando.com/wordpress/...overnor-crist/
Thank you for your time. Please send in your concerns to the governor.
-Kurt