The original 3’ passing clearance of bicyclists’ bill and the ‘dead red’ bill were both rolled into HB 2192, the seatbelt safety bill, and approved by the KS Senate Transportation Committee today, March 15. HB 2192 now goes to the Senate floor for a recorded vote. It is NOW time to contact your State Senator to ask their support for this bill making bicycling safer in Kansas.
You may use the following sample email, modify it or draft your own personalized message. Which ever you do, please keep emails brief and clearly state what you want them do – Vote YES on HB 2192. Be sure to include a clear subject line on your email such as: Vote Yes on HB 2192.
If you know your Senate district number and/or your State Senator’s name, you can find their email address here:
http://kslegislature.org/li/chamber/senate/roster/
If you don’t know your Senate District number or your Senator’s name, you can find who your Senator is and their email address here:
http://www.ipsr.ku.edu/ksdata/vote/
Sample Email to copy & paste into your email, add your senator’s name, where you live in the email message and your personal information to:
Email Subject: Vote Yes on HB 2192
Dear Senator ____________
The Senate Transportation Committee has wisely approved HB 2192, which further defines seatbelt regulations, codifies the Driving Manual’s recommendations regarding the minimum passing clearance of bicyclists by motorists and clarifies the procedures for bicyclist’s and motorcyclist’s proper reaction when encountering a non-responsive traffic signal for law enforcement and roadway users alike.
As your constituent and a Kansas bicyclist, I respectfully ask you to vote YES on HB 2192 when it comes to a vote on the Senate floor. This bill will greatly improve the safety of bicyclists across the entire state, making it safer for my family and I to bicycle to work, around _ _ (insert your city/county name) _________ and around the State of Kansas.
Sincerely,
First & Last Name
Your Address
Your City, Kansas Your Zip Code
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If you would rather call your Senator, you can find their phone number here:
http://kslegislature.org/li/chamber/senate/roster/
Again, be very clear you want them to vote for HB 2192 and why. The why can be as simple as to make roads safer for bicyclists, motorcyclists and motorists or you can further explain your support for safer roads in Kansas by codifying the recommendations in the Driving Manual’s for motorists to safely pass bicyclists and discouraging dangerous driving practices and to remedy inconsistent enforcement regarding non-responsive traffic signals and clarifying the expected response of bicyclists and motorcyclists.
How you contact your Senator is not as important as making sure you do. This is your opportunity to make a statement for your safety and the safety of those you bicycle with. This will take you less than 5 minutes, but the effort may make bicycling in Kansas safer for years to come.
