• dial 3-1-1
• call the office at (225) 389-3090
• fax to 225) 389-2199
• leave a message after hours 225) 389-2070
• go online https://brgov.com/apps/crs/.

3. Baton Rouge Advocates for Safe Streets asks that you email them whenever an incident arises -- good or bad. Email yourbicyclestoryhere@yahoo.com with your name and contact information. BRASS will compile the reports and periodically send them to "responsible parties" within the city-parish government's political and law enforcement arms.

Your Close Calls Wanted!

If you or anyone you know has been hit or bumped by a car while on their bike in the past 2 years, please email etoilebleu@gmail.com with the location or approximate address and the date.

Petition for a "Bike There" option on Google

Petition Google to add a "Bike There" option that would choose the most bike-friendly route when getting directions from point A to point B at http://www.petitiononline.com/bikether/petition.html.

Complete Streets Act of 2008

March 3, 2008
Contact: Jennifer Mullin / Semonti Mustaphi (202) 224-3254
HARKIN INTRODUCES BILL TO MAKE ROADS SAFE FOR EVERYONE

To reduce accidents, legislation will create 'Complete Streets' to keep motorists, transit vehicles, bicyclists, and pedestrians safe

Washington, D.C. - Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) today introduced The Complete Streets Act of 2008, which would work to promote the design of streets that are safe for all of those using the street- including motorists, bus riders, bicyclists, and pedestrians, including people with disabilities. Between 1993 and 2003, nearly 52,000 pedestrians and more than 7,400 bicyclists were killed in road accidents; studies show that the designing streets with pedestrians in mind may reduce pedestrian risk by as much as 28 percent. Harkin was joined in this effort by Senator Tom Carper (D-DE).

"Making our streets bike and pedestrian friendly is a win-win for us all," said Harkin. "It not only promotes healthier lifestyles, it lowers the amount of traffic congestion that many people deal with every day."

A recent study by the Texas Transportation Institute found that providing more travel options, including public transportation, bicycling and walking facilities, is an important element in reducing traffic congestion. The study reported that congestion was responsible for an annual $78.2 billion loss in fuel during traffic jams in 2005, an increase from $57.6 billion in 2000.

Also, as recently as 30 years ago, up to 70 percent of children were walking or riding bikes to school. Currently, the number has dropped to only 10 percent. Parents report that traffic safety is the main reason they do not permit their children to walk or bike to school. This legislation will make our environment more inviting for physical activity, especially for kids.

Harkin's proposal has been endorsed by: AARP, America Bikes, America Walks, American Council of the Blind, American Planning Association, American Public Transportation Association, American Society of Landscape Architects, Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals, League of America Bicyclists, National Center for Bicycling and Walking, Safe Routes to School National Partnership, Smart Growth America, Surface Transportation Policy Partnership, Thunderhead Alliance, and Rails to Trails Conservancy.

Dominic J. Liberatore
Interim Executive Director
The Thunderhead Alliance
http://www.thunderheadalliance.org/join
Cell: 614-204-4628
Washington, DC Office: 1700 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Ste. 400, 20006-4707 202-349-1479
AOL IM Dctea21man

If you want to send a note to Louisiana's senators asking them to support the Complete Streets Act of 2008, it's easy to do at http://landrieu.senate.gov/contact/index.cfm and http://vitter.senate.gov/?module=webformiqv1.

Laws and Regulations

See http://brgov.com/dept/planning/bike/ for complete laws and more information from the City Parish Planning Commission's Bicycle and Pedestrian Initiative:
• RS 32:106 Methods of Giving Hand and Arm Signals: Left Turn, Right Turn, Stop or Decrease Speed
• RS 32:193 Operation of Bicycles; General Provision
• RS 32:194 Traffic Laws Apply to Persons Riding Bicycles: Every person riding a bicycle upon a highway of this state shall be granted all the rights and shall be subject to all the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle.
• RS 32:195 Riding on Bicycles ...keep at least one hand upon the handle bars...
• RS 32:196 Clinging to Vehicles: No...
• RS 32:197 Riding on Roadways and Bicycle Paths:
  • Every person operating a bicycle upon a roadway shall ride as near to the right side of the roadway as practicable, exercising due care when passing a standing vehicle or one proceeding in the same direction.
  • Persons riding bicycles upon a roadway shall not ride more than two abreast except on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles.
  • Whenever a usable path for bicycles has been provided adjacent to a roadway, bicycle riders shall use such path and shall not use the roadway.
• RS 32:199 Bicycle Helmets; Restraining Seats: ...child under the age of twelve... The provisions of R.S. 32:57 shall not apply to a violation of this Section. No civil penalties or court costs shall be assessed for any violation of this Section.
• RS 32:329 Bicycles; Front Lamps; Side and Rear Reflectors: Every bicycle when in use at nighttime shall be equipped with a lamp on the front which shall emit a white light visible from a distance of at least five (5) hundred feet to the front and with a red reflector on the rear and a reflector on each side facing outward at the right angle to the bicycle frame, all of a type approved by the department which shall be visible from all distances within six (6) hundred feet to one hundred feet to the rear when directly in front of lawful lower beams of headlamps on a motor vehicle. A lamp emitting a red light visible from a distance of five (5) hundred feet to the rear may be used in addition to the red reflector.
• RS 32:346 Brakes on Bicycles

LSU Biking Regulations

See http://appl003.lsu.edu/pubSafety/lsuParking.nsf/$Content/Regulations?OpenDocument#Bicycles for all regulations:
• Regulations have been established to provide for the orderly movement and parking of bicycles on campus. In using bicycles on campus, the rights and safety of others should be considered at all times. Editor's note: Such a clause DOES NOT EXIST for any other mode of transportation! Students may be charged with a violation of the Code of Student Conduct for riding a bicycle on a sidewalk or parking or storing a bicycle in a University building.
• 63. A Baton Rouge city ordinance requires that bicycles be registered. Since several city streets traverse campus, it is recommended that all students register their bicycles with the Baton Rouge City Police Department. The fee for this registration is $5. To register your bicycle or for more information call (225) 389-3822.
• 64. Bicycle riders are subject to the same rules as motor vehicle operators and should ride on the right hand side of the street, obey all traffic signals and signs, and give hand signals.
• 65. Bicycles will not be ridden on sidewalks or lawns.
• 66. Bicycles will be parked in bicycle racks, in other designated parking areas, or on lawns.
• 67. Bicycles may not be operated or parked inside buildings, on sidewalks, in passageways to the Quadrangle, in any location impeding pedestrian and vehicular movement, or in such a way as to create a hazard.
• 68. Bicycles will be chained only to bicycle racks.
• 69. Persons violating bicycle regulations will be ticketed and fined $7. Severe violations will result in the bicycle being impounded and an additional $5 fee assessed.
• 70. All bicycles found on campus between the end of the summer term and the beginning of the fall semester will be considered abandoned and will be impounded. A bicycle may be claimed, with proof of ownership, at the Office of Parking, Traffic, & Transportation. After 60 days unclaimed bicycles may be disposed of. The University is not responsible for damage to bicycles or bicycle locks incurred during the impoundment procedure.