Here are some talking points:

Commute Trip Reduction:

Parking incentives will make motorcycle commuting more practical to users and infrastructure planners.

1. Motorcycles exhibit a much smaller footprint in a commuting lane, and are more agile in operation, with the potential benefit of easing congestion by facilitating better traffic flow.  In urban “stop and go” driving situations the space utilized by one full sized car can be filled with 2-3 motorcycles.
2. Dedicated parking areas for motorcycles will add to the overall security of the motorcycles by grouping them together.  (Safety in numbers)
3. Has the possibility to free up real estate currently being expended on single bike per parking space.  With properly arranged and laid out parking areas, up to three motorcycles can be stored in the space normally allotted to a single vehicle.

HOV access:

By moving motorcycles from the main stream of high density rolling slowdowns to the more freely moving HOV lanes, the motorcycle operator has less exposure to encroachment and/or collision.

1. By being in a steadily flowing stream as opposed to a “stop and go” stream rear exposure to inattentive drivers is seriously lessened.
2. By being to the far side of the multi lane roadway the possibility of encroachment from suddenly merging traffic is minimized.  There becomes only one side to defend while proceeding through traffic, with the other side becoming an escape route.

The proposed language removes some of the vagueness from when motorcycles are allowed HOV lanes access.

Now, quit reading and start calling your state senator.  Offices may be staffed on Sunday, and the Senate will be back in session at 09:00 Monday morning.  Make sure that every senator’s voice mail box is full of traffic on 6304.

If you don’t know yet who your senator is, drop and give me 20, take 15 laps of the outfield, then hit this link.  (Poke the button)

Ride safely and legislate well,

“Texas” Larry

Government Relations and Junior Blogger

Now that we have solved that problem, here are some talking points.

HB 1527 (Representative Asay) the malfunctioning traffic signal bill:

• Although part of the traveling public, motorcyclists have been hindered in their movements by the failure of detection loops and optical sensors to recognize their presence at many traffic signals.  The Washington State Legislature has been asked to address and remedy within the law when the signals fail to respond to motorcycles.
• Traffic intersections are second to left turn right-of-way violations in terms of vulnerability for motorcyclists.  When lights do not sense a motorcycle, exposure to the possibility of a rear-end collision increases, especially in low traffic scenarios where a motorist is more likely to miss seeing a stranded motorcyclist.  This presents a hazard to not only the motorcyclist but also to the surrounding traffic, as well as a potential liability to the municipality in charge of the signaling system.
•  Currently there is no safe and legitimate method for getting clear of a signal that will not sense a motorcycle.  If in the left turn lane, there is no provision for a vehicle to merge back into the flow of traffic and go straight.  Even if it was legal, this maneuver is quite hazardous, with a rider unexpectedly merging from a dead stop into an unsuspecting traffic flow.  For the rider in the though lane, the option of making a right on red, followed by a u-turn, is much more hazardous than simply waiting until traffic is clear and, exercising due caution, proceeding through the intersection as if the red light was a stop sign.
•  There are now 12 states that have enacted a law that provides immediate remedy to motorcyclist when they encounter a traffic signal that does not recognize the presence of a motorcycle.  There is no data to show that crashes have increased as a result.  To date, no state has tried to rescind it.  It is a sound and reasonable solution to an existing problem.

SB 6304 (Senator Rolfes) putting motorcycles into the Commute Trip Reduction Act and HOV lanes:

Commute Trip Reduction:

Parking incentives will make motorcycle commuting more practical to users and infrastructure planners.

1. Motorcycles exhibit a much smaller footprint in a commuting lane, and are more agile in operation, with the potential benefit of easing congestion by facilitating better traffic flow.  In urban “stop and go” driving situations the space utilized by one full sized car can be filled with 2-3 motorcycles.
2. Dedicated parking areas for motorcycles will add to the overall security of the motorcycles by grouping them together.  (Safety in numbers)
3. Has the possibility to free up real estate currently being expended on single bike per parking space.  With properly arranged and laid out parking areas, up to three motorcycles can be stored in the space normally allotted to a single vehicle.

HOV access:

By moving motorcycles from the main stream of high density rolling slowdowns to the more freely moving HOV lanes, the motorcycle operator has less exposure to encroachment and/or collision.

1. By being in a steadily flowing stream as opposed to a “stop and go” stream rear exposure to inattentive drivers is seriously lessened.
2. By being to the far side of the multi lane roadway the possibility of encroachment from suddenly merging traffic is minimized.  There becomes only one side to defend while proceeding through traffic, with the other side becoming an escape route.

The proposed language removes some of the vagueness from when motorcycles are allowed HOV lanes access.

1. Whenever any other privately owned vehicle (POV) is allowed access motorcycles are authorized.
2. Codifies the existing administrative exemption for tolling in the 167 project and moves that exemption to the 405 project.

HB 1527 (Representative Asay) the malfunctioning traffic signal bill is tentatively showing signs of life.  I say “tentatively” because although I have been getting good feedback in support of a hearing in House Transportation, I have yet to see official results.  When I left on Friday, Representative Clibborn and Representative Liias were in a meeting discussing future committee agendas.  Our request for a hearing or executive action had been submitted, so I must assume that it was under discussion.  There is still no harm in calling your representative a asking them to apply some pressure.

HB 1833 (Representative Finn) is still in the rules committee.  This makes it a requirement that the Motorcycle Safety Advisory Board meet quarterly.  Currently the criteria is open to interpretation, and with all of the attempts to cut expenditures across the board the schedule got dropped back to 5 meetings during a two year period.

Requests to move it to the floor of the house for action have been made, but we are awaiting the next meeting of the House Rules Committee, scheduled for 13:00 on January 19th.

SB 6062 (Senator Fain) has been introduced, and has been scheduled for a hearing at 15:30 on January 19^th in Senate Transportation.  It changes the language from two wheeled and three wheeled motorcycle to “single track” and “multi track” motorcycle.  This is being done to allow people who want to install the “Voyager” kit, effectively adding outriggers to their motorcycles.

There are mixed emotions about this measure.  Many people are seriously opposed to these kits, and are therefore definitely opposed to changing the RCW to facilitate them.  As an organization, until shown otherwise, we are following the guidance of the Washington State Patrol, which has signed off on the language.

Senator Rolfes is sponsoring a bill to add the recommendation of preferential parking for motorcycles to the commute trip reduction act and clarifying the rules that allow motorcycles into the HOV lanes, even when they are converted to HOT lanes.  Currently there is no real firm requirement or guidance on keeping us in the HOV lanes, merely past practice.  The bill should be on the introduction sheets, as I am going to be in Olympia Monday doing the final preparatory legwork before I put the bill in the hopper, but it is not too early to start talking the issue up with your representatives and senators.

Paul Arnold (ABATE of WA) has been doing a splendid job of working on the helmet reform legislation.  Although the chance of getting any action on this issue is minimal, it does not mean the conversation should not happen.  Even if you are someone who absolutely believes that a rider should never choose to leave the driveway without a helmet, it should always be that: a choice.  The idea of “safe crashing” over crash prevention is a bad basis for public policy.

And now, for the coming attractions:

Actually, there is only one real coming attraction, and that is

BLACK THURSDAY

January 19^th is the day set aside for riders to meet with their legislators.  The north diagonal has been reserved by ABATE, and there is going to be a ride in from Hawks Prairie that will pull out at 10:00.

It doesn’t matter what your flagship issues are, this is your chance to address them.  Whether it is rider education, road access, or helmets, get the vacation day scheduled now, call your representatives and senator offices to make an appointment, and get to Olympia.

Ride safely and legislate well,

“Texas” Larry

Government Relations and Junior Blogger

HB 1527 (Representative Asay) The malfunctioning traffic signal will revisit the issue of traffic signals not detecting motorcycles.  It allows for motorcycles, after waiting for one full cycle of the lighting system without being detected, to proceed through the intersection, but only after exercising the same level of caution as would be used at a stop sign.

I have been getting good feedback in support of a hearing in House Transportation, and I continue to meet with the remaining committee members.  The only real push back I have seen so far is from WSP, indicating that they will never sign off on allowing any motorist “running a red light.” Their position is more based on fear without any real data to back it up, and a bit off base, as there is already a precedent. Can anyone say “right turn on red?”  Also, there is no compelling data or developing trends against the practice in any of the states that have passed similar legislation.

The best thing we can do is continue to contact our representatives and ask them to support giving this bill a hearing, moving it on through the house, and sending it to the senate.

HB 1833 (Representative Finn).  This makes it a requirement that the Motorcycle Safety Advisory Board meet quarterly.  Currently the criteria is open to interpretation, and with all of the attempts to cut expenditures across the board the schedule got dropped back to 5 meetings during a two year period.

Requests to move it to the floor of the house for action have been made, but we are awaiting the first meeting of the House Rules Committee.

SB 6062 (Senator Fain) has been introduced.  It changes the language from two wheeled and three wheeled motorcycle to “single track” and “multi track” motorcycle.  This is being done to allow people who want to install the “Voyager” kit, effectively adding outriggers, to their motorcycles.

Senator Rolfes is sponsoring a bill to add the recommendation of preferential parking for motorcycles to the commute trip reduction act and clarifying the rules that allow motorcycles into the HOV lanes, even when they are converted to HOT lanes.  Currently there is no real firm requirement or guidance on keeping us in the HOV lanes, merely past practice.  When the bill has a number I will get that news out, but it is not too early to start talking the issue up with your representatives and senators.

Finally, don’t forget that Black Thursday is coming up next week.  (Jan 19)  Get the vacation day scheduled now, call your representatives and senator to make an appointment, and get to Olympia.

Until next time,

Ride safely and legislate well,

“Texas” Larry

Government Relations and Junior Blogger

HB 1527 (Representative Asay), the malfunctioning traffic signal bill is showing signs of life, but we need everyone to light up the phone lines. Each and every member of the house needs to hear the message loud and clear that the motorcycle community wants some legislative relief for the problem of traffic signals that do not detect us. Swamp the switchboards with calls to your representatives, asking for their support in getting a hearing and moving the traffic signal bill through the house.

Some talking points:

1. The bill allows for motorcycles, after waiting for one full cycle of the lighting system without being detected, to proceed through the intersection, but only after exercising the same level of caution as would be used at a stop sign. A sane rider is not going to commit suicide by pulling out in front of traffic.
2. No matter what State Patrol may say, there is already a precedent for allowing traffic through a red light. Can anyone say “right turn on red?”
3. While there is a system whereby we can notify the cognizant authority after we have been stranded at a traffic light, that is after the fact. There is no legal method to safely get clear of a traffic signal that will not detect a motorcycle.  Hanging a right, followed by a U-turn, is unacceptable, and downright unsafe.

If you do not know who your representatives are (shame on you) poke this link. Then get on the phone and start calling. If the house gets a lot of traffic on the issue it will be more likely that they will move it forward.  Let’s make this happen.

Ride safely and legislate well,

“Texas” Larry

Government Relations and Junior Blogger