The Blog Page

News, commentary and humor about bicycling and other topics of the day

 

HB4907 clears obstacle

Earlier today, the Illinois House Local Government Committee approved HB4907, the bill intended to overturn the effects of the Boub v. Township of Wayne ruling on Illinois cyclists and the development of bicycle facility. The bill passed by a 6-4 and now goes to the full House for consideration.

The bill provides that a person riding a bicycle is an intended and permitted user of any highway in Illinois except for a highway on which bicycle use has been specifically prohibited by the Department of Transportation or by a local public entity acting in compliance with the Code provision regarding the regulation of bicycles. It also provides that the new language does not create liability for any public entity for the creation of, the existence of, or failure to remedy any specified type of condition that caused injury to a person riding a bicycle, if that condition meets the standard of care required for a passenger car.

Nevertheless, the Illinois Municipal League and other local governmental groups oppose the bill, which means it will face a stiff challenge in the House and the state Senate.

Last year, a similar bill, HB2390, narrowly passed the House and failed to get out of a Senate committee. The bulk of metro-east lawmakers -- Reps. Daniel Beiser, D-Alton; Tom Holbrook, D-Belleville; Dan Reitz, D-Steeleville; Ron Stephens, R-Troy; and Kurt Granberg, D-Centralia -- voted against the bill last year. Reps. Jay Hoffman, D-Collinsville, and Wyvetter Younge, D-East St. Louis, were the only metro-east lawmakers to vote for HB2390.

If you don't know who your state representative is, you can find out through the State Board of Elections. Once you know, Illinois bicycle advocacy groups want you to contact them and urge them to vote for HB4907.

Roger 0 comments 10:17 PM