Safe Streets for Children

Information on House Bill 1147

Summary
This bill adds the existing state bicycle and pedestrian policy into law and makes a children's road safety curriculum available for school district use.

Representative Kefalas drafted this bill after listening to his constituents concerned about road safety for children. He asked Bicycle Colorado to endorse the bill and share it with our members. We think this bill includes a strong mix of education and road design focused on improving safety.

Including Bicycle and Pedestrian Policy into Law
The Department of Transportation's existing internal policy of "accommodating bicycle and pedestrian use of the highways in a safe and reliable manner for all highway users" will be bolstered by adding it into statute. This recently adopted policy is valuable but subject to removal by future administrators. This statute will help keep Colorado's roadways safe for all road users.

Benefits to Children and Colorado
The goal of the bill is to reduce injuries to children and reduce costs to families, the state, and our health care system. Through road safety training in schools and adding the state's bicycle and pedestrian policy into statue, the state will also benefit by increasing physical activity which reduces obesity related diseases.

Good for the Economy, Environment, and Family Budgets
Road congestion costs Colorado more than one billion dollars a year.¹ One visit to a school with cars lined up around the block shows how driving kids to school is adding to congestion on our road system. Creating safe ways for youth to walk, bike, or skate reduces congestion so roads keep moving to get freight and workers on their way.

In Colorado, 23% of green house gas emissions are from transportation pollution.² Safe ways for youth to walk, skateboard, bicycle or skate to school, to a friend's house, and to sport practices reduces pollution and results in cleaner air for Colorado.

In today's economic climate, more Colorado adults and their children are turning to walking and bicycling as low-cost, healthy ways to get around. Households spend 25% of their budget on transportation.³ Creating safer environments on the road help family budgets by spending less to get around.

¹Texas Transportation Institute
²Air Quality Control Commission, CDPHE
Center for Neighborhood Technology

Bill Sponsors

House of Representatives
Sponsor: John Kefalas
Co-sponsors: Fischer, Gagliardi, Hullinghorst, Kerr A., McFadyen, Merrifield, Primavera, Vigil

Senate
Sponsor: Bob Bacon

(list as of 1/29/2009)

PATH OF THE BILL
The bill must pass a committee in both the Senate and House as well as floor votes in each chamber. Here is our chart to track each vote on the way.

How You Can Help

Bicycle Coloroado's legislative work is made possible by our 7,000 individual and business members. Please add your name to the list and contribute to better biking by donating or becoming a member.

Bill Tracking

The most recent version of HB 1147 including any amendments, committee reports, and recorded votes is available at the Colorado General Assembly Website.

When you go to the link above just enter 1147 into the search box. Each link across the page tracks the history of the bill.