bizutch
05-04-2007, 12:07 PM
Here is the initial info on it courtesy of TriangleMTB and a few
lobbyists apparently are MTB'ers on there:
http://trianglemtb.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=8952.0
Here is a copy of the initial bill:
http://www.ncleg.net/Sessions/2007/Bills/Senate/HTML/S1383v0.html
And here is the text copied and pasted for those with attention spans
like mine. I recommend reading the forum as there are several other
valuable pieces of info on how to contribute your voice and opinion,
particularly to the senator introducing the bill...and your OWN!!!
Apparently, this is coming up NEXT WEEK!!! Text is as follows:
"GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 2007
S
D
SENATE DRS75294-MA-271 (3/15)
Short Title: Allow Cyclists to Use Public Lands.
(Public)
Sponsors:
Senator Jenkins.
Referred to:
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to require any agency of this state, or any other entity, that
has purchased land with state funds to allow access to bicyclists for
the purpose of cycling; provided however, that such use of the land
is not prohibited by another state law, a federal law, or the use of
bicycles in a particular area would be detrimental to the cyclist,
other individuals, or the environment.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1. Chapter 20 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a
new section to read:
"§ 20‑171.3. Land available for bicycling.
(a) Any land held in fee simple by this State, any agency of
this State, or any land purchased with funds provided by this State,
shall be open and available for use by bicyclists. There is no
requirement under this section that any special trails, paths, or
other accommodations be created, maintained, or made available to any
user of the land for cycling purposes.
(b) Any land made open and available for bicyclist use by
subsection (a) of this section may be restricted or removed from use
if it is determined by the State, an agency of the State, or the
holder of land purchased with State funds, that such use would
constitute a hazard to the health and welfare of the cyclist, any
other individual, or the environment, or that such use would violate
another State law or a federal law. The duty is on the State, an
agency of the State, or the holder of land purchased with State funds
to show cause why the lands should not be open for use by bicyclists.
The Division of Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation, of the
Department of Transportation, shall keep a record of all such lands
made open and available for use, by bicyclists, by this section and
publish the information to the public upon request.
(c) Any person operating a bicycle, as defined under this Part,
on land made open and available for use by bicyclists under
subsection (a) of this section shall wear a protective bicycle helmet
securely fastened upon the head with the straps of the helmet. The
operation of a bicycle on land made open and available by subsection
(a) of this section shall only occur between the hours of 8:00 A.M.
to 5:00 P.M. A violation of this subsection is an infraction
punishable by a fine of one hundred dollars ($100.00)."
SECTION 2. This act becomes effective January 1, 2008. Upon passage
of this act and prior to its effective date, the State, an agency of
this State, or a holder of land purchased with State funds, shall
determine if the land should be restricted or removed from
availability and use and provide to, in writing, the Division of
Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation any reasons to support the
decision.
lobbyists apparently are MTB'ers on there:
http://trianglemtb.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=8952.0
Here is a copy of the initial bill:
http://www.ncleg.net/Sessions/2007/Bills/Senate/HTML/S1383v0.html
And here is the text copied and pasted for those with attention spans
like mine. I recommend reading the forum as there are several other
valuable pieces of info on how to contribute your voice and opinion,
particularly to the senator introducing the bill...and your OWN!!!
Apparently, this is coming up NEXT WEEK!!! Text is as follows:
"GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 2007
S
D
SENATE DRS75294-MA-271 (3/15)
Short Title: Allow Cyclists to Use Public Lands.
(Public)
Sponsors:
Senator Jenkins.
Referred to:
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to require any agency of this state, or any other entity, that
has purchased land with state funds to allow access to bicyclists for
the purpose of cycling; provided however, that such use of the land
is not prohibited by another state law, a federal law, or the use of
bicycles in a particular area would be detrimental to the cyclist,
other individuals, or the environment.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1. Chapter 20 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a
new section to read:
"§ 20‑171.3. Land available for bicycling.
(a) Any land held in fee simple by this State, any agency of
this State, or any land purchased with funds provided by this State,
shall be open and available for use by bicyclists. There is no
requirement under this section that any special trails, paths, or
other accommodations be created, maintained, or made available to any
user of the land for cycling purposes.
(b) Any land made open and available for bicyclist use by
subsection (a) of this section may be restricted or removed from use
if it is determined by the State, an agency of the State, or the
holder of land purchased with State funds, that such use would
constitute a hazard to the health and welfare of the cyclist, any
other individual, or the environment, or that such use would violate
another State law or a federal law. The duty is on the State, an
agency of the State, or the holder of land purchased with State funds
to show cause why the lands should not be open for use by bicyclists.
The Division of Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation, of the
Department of Transportation, shall keep a record of all such lands
made open and available for use, by bicyclists, by this section and
publish the information to the public upon request.
(c) Any person operating a bicycle, as defined under this Part,
on land made open and available for use by bicyclists under
subsection (a) of this section shall wear a protective bicycle helmet
securely fastened upon the head with the straps of the helmet. The
operation of a bicycle on land made open and available by subsection
(a) of this section shall only occur between the hours of 8:00 A.M.
to 5:00 P.M. A violation of this subsection is an infraction
punishable by a fine of one hundred dollars ($100.00)."
SECTION 2. This act becomes effective January 1, 2008. Upon passage
of this act and prior to its effective date, the State, an agency of
this State, or a holder of land purchased with State funds, shall
determine if the land should be restricted or removed from
availability and use and provide to, in writing, the Division of
Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation any reasons to support the
decision.