From the Concord Monitor in Concord, NH:

As of Jan. 1, 2009, a new state law will require motorists to allow bicyclists at least three feet of clearance when passing, with an additional foot required for every 10 mph increment above 30 mph.

New Hampshire becomes the 20th state in the nation to implement the so-called “three-foot rule.”

Provisions in the new law will also address rumble strips, which can force bicyclists into traffic, and drain gates, which can cause accidents when bicycle tires sink into the grooves.

The new law was passed with the support of the Bike-Walk Alliance of New Hampshire, a Concord-based pedestrian and bicyclist advocacy group, but the impetus for the law was a local citizen, Judy Andersen, an avid cyclist of 30-plus years, who read an article about a similar law being passed in Maine, and decided that the Granite State should have it’s own version of the law.

Of course, it didn’t hurt that her husband is a State Representative, who sponsored the bill. Still, Judy and BWA education and safety director Dave Topham personally lobbied the Department of Transportation, Department of Safety and Department of Motor Vehicles, and voiced their support at hearings for the bill at the statehouse.

As the advocacy group says on their web site: “BWA-NH is very pleased with this result after just six months of submitting a bill deemed controversial by some parties, likewise we wish to express sincere thanks to Representative Gene Andersen of Lebanon as the sponsor who made everything happen. Bicyclists and motorists need to understand that our shared roadways are meant to transport people via any type of legal vehicle. HB-1203 helps to further legitimatize the bicyclist as a true vehicle operator by making both motorists and road construction crews more aware that our roadways are meant for more than cars. Also, a word of thanks to everyone who sent emails and letters to the House and Senate Transportation committees or testified in person during the hearing process. The NH legislators heard you loud and clear.”

Read more: Law: Make way for bicyclists, full text of HB-1203

Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius recently announced the creation of a transportation task force called “Transportation Leveraging Investments in Kansas” (T-LINK) charged with developing the state’s next transportation program.

State Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator Becky Pepper, in an email to bicycle clubs and advocacy organizations within the state, said:

The T-LINK task force will develop recommendations for an approach that recognizes all forms of transportation and serves the future of our state. We have heard from Governor Sebelius that bicycle and pedestrian needs will be paramount to the discussion of a new transportation program!

As a companion to T-LINK, staff from KDOT and members of the task force will be travelling the state in September to assess needs through Local Consult Meetings. These meetings will take place in Ulysses, Hays, Hutchinson, Abilene, Topeka, Olathe, Wichita, and Pittsburg. I encourage all bicycle and pedestrian providers and advocates to attend a Local Consult meeting! The input received at these meetings will shape the language of the transportation program.

For additional information, meeting dates, and continuous updates about T-LINK progress please visit kansastlink.com.

The tentative schedule calls for the following Local Consult Meetings:

• 09-11-2008: Ulysses
• 09-12-2008: Hays
• 09-18-2008: Abilene
• 09-19-2008: Topeka
• 09-22-2008: Olathe
• 09-23-2008: Hutchinson
• 09-26-2008: Pittsburg
• 09-30-2008: Wichita

Check with kansastlink.com for details…

See also: Governor Announces Transportation Task Force (PDF), Letter From Governor Sebelius (PDF).

Kansas City Mayor Mark Funkhouser has a vision of KC becoming a platinum-level Bicycle Friendly Community, and he has announced an action plan to make KC more bike-friendly, and to achieve the coveted designation, by 2020.

The Bicycle Friendly Community program is an awards program administered by the League of American Bicyclists that recognizes municipalities that actively support bicycling. A Bicycle-Friendly Community provides safe accommodation for cycling and encourages its residents to bike for transportation and recreation.

There are four levels of certification — bronze, silver, gold, and platinum — with platinum being the most bicycle-friendly of all. Only two US cities are currently at the platinum level, Davis, California, and Portland, Oregon.

Two Kansas communities have reached the bronze level: Lawrence and Shawnee. No cities in Missouri are currently listed, though several are moving toward achieving the designation in the next few years.

“Kansas City is a beautiful city, but we need to do more to make it an ideal place to bicycle so folks can better enjoy its beauty,” Mayor Funkhouser said. “Also, with the rising cost of gasoline, and an increased interest in ‘green’ solutions, more and more people are bicycling to and from work. Our city should provide an environment where this is a safe and viable choice.”

“We have lots of work to do to make Kansas City more bike-friendly,” said Councilman Russ Johnson, who rode to thr press conference in part to show how difficult it can be to navigate Kansas City on a bike. “We have bike trails and bike lanes that go for a mile or two and then abruptly stop, giving way to busy streets. But we’re taking steps to change all that and make Kansas City a much better place to bike.”

Complete coverage at KCBike.info, Kansas Cyclist.

The Iowa Bicycle Coalition’s Mark Wyatt has put together a presentation that he uses when talking with bike clubs, civic meetings, and special events.

The presentation is titled “More Iowans Biking”, and is used to promote bicycling as a safe and enjoyable recreation and transportation alternative, and to encourage improvements such as Complete Streets, Safe Routes to School, and motorist and cyclist education.

For a real eye-opener, view slides 17 through 37 to see obesity trends among U.S. adults, 1985-2005. The explosion of obesity is just incredible.

Nicely done, Mark!

The month of May is the official National Bike Month as designated by the League of American Bicyclists.

As part of National Bike Month, communities around the country sponsor activities and events to celebrate bicycling and get people riding. A focus of the month is Bike-to-Work Week from May 12-16, and Bike-to-Work Day on Friday, May 16.

In addition, the League of American Bicyclists offers a list of 50 ways to celebrate Bike Month.