Due to the overwhelming public comment on Representative Usher’s proposed bill to ban pedestrian and bicycle use on some rural roads, the bill has been dropped. Usher is now working with Melinda Barnes, the Executive Director of Bike Walk Montana, to craft a bill that will be more in tune with bicyclists’ and pedestrians’ needs. Way to go, advocates!

However, there is still a need for action on two other state bills related to bicycle safety and advocacy. The first bill is HB 225 which establishes a $2 opt-out fee on all Montana light-vehicle registrations to fund trail maintenance and education. This is not a new tax; it is a voluntary way for Montanans to support bicycle safety and trails via their vehicle registrations. This bill is being decided upon by the House Local Government Committee this week, and your input can really make a difference! You can easily contact individual legislators or the entire committee via the Legislature’s online comment form.

The second bill of interest is HB 267 which will establish a safe distance for motorists passing bicycles. This bill has passed the House but will need support when it reaches the Senate Highways and Transportation Committee on Tuesday, Feb. 7 at 3:00 pm. You can sign up for legislative updates via Bike Walk Montana’s mailing list and learn more about these important bills.
For important advocacy with a more local flavor, please consider attending the public meeting at the Billings Public Library on Wednesday, Feb. 8 at 11:30 a.m. to discuss the Capital Improvement Plan. This CIP is a five-year plan which identifies capital projects including bicycle pedestrian paths for 2018-2022. The meeting will be at the Billings Library’s Community Room on Wednesday, February 8, 2017, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Also, the Heights Task Force met at Chief Medicine Crow Middle School this past month. The recent meeting addressed safety issues on Barrett Road, which is a main road for youth traveling to Chief Medicine Crow, Bitterroot and Beartooth schools. The Task Force meets the fourth Tuesday of each month in the Oasis Conference Room at 543 Aronson from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. The next meeting is February 28. You can contact Chairperson Jason Lillie at jason.lillie@remax-billings.com for more information.