"Safe Passing" Bill Becomes Law!

 The “Safe Passing” Law: What It Means for Vermont’s Roadway Users New legislation that offers protections to Vermont’s “vulnerable” roadway users was signed by Governor Douglas on May 20. The law, Act 114, defines pedestrians, people in wheelchairs, bicyclists, people on horseback, roller skiers and others as “vulnerable users.” Essentially, those who aren’t completely encased in metal are much more susceptible to injury and are, therefore, in this category of roadway users.

The Vermont Bicycle & Pedestrian Coalition (VBPC), a statewide nonprofit education and advocacy organization, spearheaded a grassroots effort that resulted in the “Safe Passing” bill clearing key committees and both chambers of the legislature. The full text of the new law can be viewed on the home page of the VBPC: www.vtbikeped.org

In brief, here’s how the law will benefit all bicyclists and pedestrians in Vermont:

• Motorists are now required to pass bicyclists, pedestrians, people on horseback, roller skiers, and other vulnerable roadway users with “due care, which includes increasing clearance, to pass the vulnerable user safely”

• All those in motor vehicles now are prohibited from throwing objects at vulnerable users and from harassing them in other ways, such as approaching them too closely and too rapidly

• Bicyclists may now (legally) indicate their intention to make a right turn by using their right arms

• Bicyclists may now (legally) move to the left to make a left turn, avoid a hazard in the roadway, or pass another roadway user

• Bicyclists, when riding at night, are now required to have a light on the rear (attached to either the bike or cyclist) or at least 20 square inches of rear-facing reflective material/reflectors on the bicycle/bicyclist

All of the above changes will help improve conditions on Vermont’s roadways for those who enjoy bicycling, running, walking, horseback riding, roller skiing, roller skating, and other activities.

Although it’s been a widely-accepted practice that a bicyclist can signal a right turn with his or her right arm, it is now permitted by law. It’s important for a bicyclist to move to the left to prepare to make a left turn or avoid a hazard in the road. Nevertheless, this move has never been described officially in statute and sometimes other roadway users interpret it as inappropriate or illegal.

While the new law offers protections, it also calls upon bicyclists to display a greater degree of responsibility for safety. For the first time, a bicyclist, while riding at night, is required to have a red light on the rear or a minimum amount of reflective material. The light or the reflective material may be mounted on either the bike or the bicyclist. The law gives the bicyclist plenty of flexibility, while at the same time, requiring that the bicyclist be highly visible to other roadway users.

Prior to the passage of this law, if a driver or passenger in a car threw an object at a vulnerable roadway user, the only legal recourse was to charge them with littering. Clearly, harassment and littering are two, very different offenses.

Unfortunately, there are roadways users who are ignorant, thoughtless, and/or arrogant. Some are motorists, some are bicyclists, and some are pedestrians. The VBPC works to encourage all roadway users to demonstrate respect and courtesy for all other roadway users. Bikes were on the roads before cars and horses were on the roads before bikes. Equestrians, bicyclists, pedestrians, and motorists will be sharing Vermont’s roads for a long time into the future. With a little mindfulness and consideration, such sharing can be a pleasant experience for all.

The Vermont Bicycle & Pedestrian Coalition is happy to respond to questions and comments about the new legislation. Feedback may be directed to Executive Director Nancy Schulz at (802) 225-8904

or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Cycling Legislators!

 Kudos to all who rose extra early to participate in the Earth Day Ride with legislators! Special thanks to Rep. Willem Jewett (Ripton), Rep. Sue Minter (Waterbury Center), and Rep. Jim McCullough (Williston) who rode from their homes to the State House in Montpelier.

Citizen Advocacy Works!

by Judy Bond, VBPC board president

Recently, there have been several great examples of citizen input with great results. Strong bike/ped support shaped the design of the Champlain Bridge to have good sidewalks and bike-friendly shoulders. Hundreds of individually-crafted letters of support influenced the House Transportation Committee to take up H.540. The addition of bike routes to Google Maps was a direct result of the many requests from the cycling community. So to all of you who have written or spoken up: a huge “thanks!” And please know that if you do respond to a VBPC Action Alert, your input is very important.

A Smile to Remember: A Tribute to Guy Amundsen

On Sunday, January 24, a lone bugler played “Taps” in the woods while a long stream of skiers looped around a meadow following a leader who carried the Norwegian flag. The site was Ole’s Touring Center in Warren where many had gathered to celebrate the life of Guy Amundsen. Guy died of a heart attack at Ole’s on January 14 while re-certifying to be a PSIA cross-country ski instructor.

Guy Amundsen had an energetic bounce to his walk, a twinkle in his beautiful blue eyes, and a playful smile. The office of the Vermont Bicycle & Pedestrian Coalition is filled with Guy’s volunteer gifts: the plywood he cut to turn a sink into a work space, the tabletop bike shop displays he sawed, painted, screwed, and taped, the newsletters he prepared for mailing, the literature he distributed at special events. Guy was a committed volunteer for the VBPC, but the Coalition was just one of many organizations, businesses and events to which Guy contributed. Others included the Green Mountain Stage Race, the Burlington Marathon, the Green Mountain Club Trekkers, the MS Society, and Ole’s Touring Center.

Guy was the engine behind the Stowe Bike Club century ride, which was his baby. He wasn’t the fastest cyclist but he believed in working hard at time trials in hopes of becoming a stronger cyclist. He also led touring rides for the SBC. One of Guy’s favorite quotes was from H.G. Wells: “When I see an adult on a bicycle, I do not despair for the future of the human race”.

In the mid-90s, Guy applied to become a leader with Vermont Bicycle Touring. He took his responsibility as a tour leader very seriously and was often up at 4:30 am, filling water bottles and adjusting gears while tour guests slept, blissfully oblivious of his ministrations.

Guy had an unusual mixture of qualities. He was an ex-Marine, who celebrated the Marine Corps’ birthday every year, and sported a ponytail. He was passionate about bicycling and cross-country skiing, but also cars. He had been a car salesman at one point in his life, probably the most authentic and honest car salesman to ever walk the planet.

Never one to “beat around the bush,” Guy could be counted upon to offer frank assessments. He often expressed dismay at dirty rear derailleurs and dry chains. He was as meticulous with the maintenance of his bikes, his skis, and his car as he was with his own body.

Guy’s stalwart volunteerism on behalf of the VBPC included mailing parties, tabling at special events such as Earth Day and the Sports and Fitness Expo, and participating in or leading the “Ride of Silence.”

Guy loved to bicycle along Route 100B from his home west toward Waitsfield. He racked up thousands of miles enjoying its wide shoulders and rolling, scenic views. He called it “my road.” When you pedal along Route 100B in the Mad River Valley, please remember the man with the peppy walk, the sweet smile, and the beautiful blue eyes.

Expressions of sympathy may be sent to Guy’s long-time partner, Ann Rago at 1486 River Road, Montpelier, VT 05602. Memorial contributions may be made to National Multiple Sclerosis, 75 Talcott Road, Suite 40, Williston, VT 05495. Your browser may not support display of this image.

Prior to his death on January 14 from a heart attack, Guy Amundsen was a long-time VBPC member and volunteer. He is shown here in the VBPC office in 2004. Ole’s Touring Center plans to rename a trail in his honor.

(Photo courtesy of Becka Roolf)

Raffle Results

Thanks to many generous businesses, the VBPC was able to offer an array of great prizes in its recent raffle. The following individuals won prizes: Anne Cramer won a bike tour weekend donated by Bike Vermont; Mary Houghton won a pair of Tubbs snowshoes donated by Onion River Sports; Richard and Rachel Clattenburg and David Kidney won summer season passes donated by Millstone Hill; Jill Aspinall & Rick Molz and Bud & Molly Reed won winter day passes donated by the Catamount Outdoor Center; Dave and Claire Coppock won a gift card donated by Skirack; Faith and George Terwilliger won cycling shorts donated by the West Hill Shop; John and Cathy Bergeron won a micro fleece pullover donated by Isis; Jared Katz won a gift certificate to the Brattleboro Food Coop; Susan Ritz won a floor mat donated by the Stowe Street Emporium; Judy Geer & Dick Dreissigacker and Anthony Mennona won copies of Nature Walks in Northern Vermont and the Champlain Valley donated by author Elizabeth Bassett; Sarah Larkin and Peter Heyniger won a Blackburn headlight/taillight set donated by Burrows Specialized Sports; Gary Feibus won a gift pack of Road Crunch donated by Rex’s Outrageous; David Ellenbogen and P. Alexander Graham won day passes to Ole’s Touring Center; David Rome won a gift certificate donated by the Red Hen bakery; Carol Tremble won a gift certificate donated by RoadID; Roger Costales and Ellen McGinnis won an Adventure medical kit donated by Andrea Chandler; Perky Gogo and Amy Lilly won a gift card donated by Petra Cliffs; Colin Brant and Ann Pibal won a a gift bag donated by the Vermont Soap Company; and Julie Moenter won a safety light donated by RoadID.

2009: Year in Review

Like many small non-profits, the VBPC experienced a challenging year in 2009. The severe economic downturn in the fall of 2008 caused current business supporters to withdraw funding and prompted others to re-consider their plans to donate. In response, the VBPC curtailed already restricted expenditures by cancelling plans to re-print educational pieces, delaying the design of new educational materials, eliminating almost all travel for the executive director, and examining all budget items for possible reductions. The search to do more with less can increase one’s creativity. The Coalition did its best to continue its vital educational and advocacy work under very difficult circumstances.

The following are some highlights from this past year:

Education - The Coalition continued to offer programs to drivers’ ed students in central Vermont high schools. To keep the students engaged and to make the learning experience more fun, a Jeopardy game was developed. Students formed teams and competed for prizes based on their knowledge of safe practices when driving, bicycling, and walking/running. The Coalition offered two Traffic Skills 101 courses for adults in Montpelier and Burlington. The full-day courses teach bicycle handling skills via street riding, parking lot drills, and classroom instruction. WCAX covered the Burlington course on its evening and morning broadcasts.

The second annual Tour de Farms, coorganized with Rural Vermont and the Addison County Re-Localization Network, attracted well over 500 bicyclists, more than double last year’s attendance. Perfect weather contributed to the excellent turnout. Eighteen farms offered goodies to the eager riders and the AppleFest that followed the ride provided music, crafts, and more opportunities to eat! The Tour de Farms will be back on September 19, 2010 so please mark your calendar now and head to Shoreham with your friends for a great time!

The Coalition exhibited at the first ever VT Safety Day. The Coalition also was present for Earth Day exhibits in various venues, the Sports and Fitness Expo, the MS Weekend, the Kids Are Priority One event, Hunger Mountain Coop Food and Wellness Expo, and others too numerous to list here.

The StoryWalkTM Project has now spread to 46 Vermont towns and 61 towns in 18 other states. (These numbers represent just the known locations. It is almost certain that the StoryWalkTM Project has appeared elsewhere without the Coalition’s knowledge.)

Advocacy - VBPC executive director Nancy Schulz addressed U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood and urged him to fulfill his vision of “liveable communities” by bringing bicyclists and pedestrians into the forefront of transportation planning. Schulz also met with Bike/ped leaders from Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts to discuss mutual concerns. VBPC staff, board members and other volunteers spent three days exhibiting in the State House card room to draw attention to the Coalition’s legislative priorities. A well-attended meeting of bike/ped advocates was organized by the Coalition to plan legislative strategy for 2010.

The third annual Ride of Silence to remember those bicyclists injured or killed by motorists was held, with all riders wearing black and red armbands.

A first-ever Vermont Bike/Ped Business Forum involving bicycle-touring companies, bike shops, and bike/ped advocates was organized. The gathering was fruitful and the VBPC looks forward to planning an expanded Forum involving more stakeholders in 2010.

The Safe Passing bill, introduced again in the 2009 legislative session, stalled when the House Transportation Committee didn’t take it up for discussion. The process of attempting to bring a bill into law never fails to challenge, surprise, instruct, and engage!

The Vermont Bicycle & Pedestrian Coalition promotes bicycling & walking safety, education, and access, to make Vermont bicycle- & pedestrian-friendly for residents and visitors alike. We also support bicycling and walking for transportation, health, recreation, and fun to enhance our communities, environment, and economy.

Our vision: Those who wish to walk or bicycle may travel safely from anywhere in Vermont to anywhere else on a network of quiet country roads, shared roadways, bike lanes, wide-shouldered roads, sidewalks, or bike paths.

• Share the Road education and outreach for drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians.
• Bicycle safety instruction for Vermont children, in partnership with VTrans and VT Safe Kids.
• Advocacy for bicyclist and pedestrian rights, and for bicycle- and pedestrian-friendly policies and projects at the state level. We are also a member of the VT Smart Growth Collaborative.

The Vermont Bicycle & Pedestrian Coalition is a member-supported organization. Please join us, and share the word!