Here's a news release from the office of state Rep. Ron Miller, R-Jacobus, regarding some bicycle safety legislation he's proposing:
HARRISBURG - During a state Capitol rally designed to promote May as "Bike Month" in Pennsylvania, state Rep. Ron Miller, R-Jacobus, announced details of a pair of bills designed to promote bicycle safety in Pennsylvania.
"Bicycling is great exercise and an effective, efficient mode of transportation, and Pennsylvania has miles of beautiful countryside that can be enjoyed on two wheels," Miller said. "We need to do all that we can to promote the activity and protect bike enthusiasts through legislation that makes it safer for them to enjoy their sport."
Miller's bills are as follows:
-- House Bill 1109 specifies that any driver who knowingly maneuvers his or her motor vehicle to intimidate or harass a cyclist or pedestrian, or any driver or passenger in a motor vehicle who directs threatening gestures or language at a cyclist or pedestrian commits a second-degree misdemeanor.
-- House Bill 1110 establishes a minimum four-foot safe passing distance, at a reduced speed when possible, for overtaking bicycles on the highway. It also prohibits drivers from making sudden right turns in front of a cyclist proceeding in the same direction.
"Bike coalitions from around Commonwealth have endorsed both pieces of legislation, as has the Pennsylvania Pedalcycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (PPAC)," added Miller, who noted that a number of states have already enacted bills similar to House Bill 1110. "I also want to commend Joe Stafford, one of my constituents and the executive director of the Bicycle Access Council, for originally suggesting this legislation."
Miller is a member of the House Transportation Committee, which is considering House Bill 1110. House Bill 1109 sits with the House Judiciary Committee.
Dear Mr. Miller,
Even though you are not my representative, you do represent areas near me. I feel the need to share with you some thoughts I've sent Mr. Tallman.
Do you understand that people are tapped out financially? I'm not sure you and the PA legislature are really listening to your constituency. Do you REALLY understand that most of us are fed up with government? Are you paying enough attention to the Tea Parties that continue to be held across the country----and are continuing to grow in numbers? Are you truly empathetic to the measure of our discontent? For how many, many years have we been promised property tax relief? Do you people actually think that a couple hundred dollars a year is going to calm our frustration?
I wonder if you read the editorial in yesterday's Evening Sun? I would certainly hope, if you are a serious representative of the people, that you are reading every newspaper in this area. So I suspect you are familiar with the editorial. Did you absorb the paragraph "State lawmakers will feel the wrath of voters who are angry that they have utterly failed to reform a school funding system too reliant upon property taxes and which sloughs responsibility and blame down to unpaid school board members". Further, "If this trend continues, a major taxpayer revolt is regrettably inevitable---and it will be ugly".
I think we are on the cusp of a major rebellion in this country. We taxpayers are absolutely appalled with the total lack of consideration for we who support every politician, their lifestyles, and their excesses. We can begin with local government and continue up to President Obama and his socialist agenda that brings this great nation to the brink of bankruptcy.
I voted for you; however, I must tell you that from this time forward I will be voting, from local to national elections, for any candidate who is NOT an incumbent. And in the meantime, I have sent paperwork to change my registration to 'nonpartisan'. I am contemptuous of both major parties---in actuality two parties melded into one.
Patricia Lawver
I am forwarding this message to Mr. Waugh, Mr. DePasquale, Mr. Alloway and Mr. Moul