The 2010 legislative session is in full swing up in Santa Fe.  Among the bills up for review is the following memorial (PDF).  It encourages bicycle use for transportation and recreation – the central tenet of BikeABQ’s mission – but it also goes one step further and encourages the state DOT to adopt Complete Streets policies.

Use this link to find your senator and encourage them to vote IN FAVOR of Senate Memorial 39!

SENATE MEMORIAL 39

49TH LEGISLATURE – STATE OF NEW MEXICO – SECOND SESSION, 2010

INTRODUCED BY John C. Ryan

A MEMORIAL ENCOURAGING NEW MEXICO RESIDENTS TO RIDE BICYCLES FOR

TRANSPORTATION AS WELL AS RECREATION AND URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO EMBRACE AND PROMOTE “COMPLETE STREETS” POLICIES.

WHEREAS, New Mexico has nearly two million residents; and

WHEREAS, in 2007, New Mexico had an estimated one million five hundred ninety-nine thousand registered vehicles; and

WHEREAS, a bicycle, driven by efficient and abundant human power, creates zero emissions; and

WHEREAS, over half of the population of New Mexico is considered to be overweight, and an estimated twenty-five and two-tenths of the population is obese; and

WHEREAS, riding a bicycle is an easy way to incorporate cardiovascular exercise into an active lifestyle, especially for senior citizens and children; and WHEREAS, Complete Streets is a national movement dedicated to ensuring that transportation planners and engineers consistently design and operate roadways with all users, including bicyclists, public transportation vehicles and riders and pedestrians of all ages and abilities, in mind;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that New Mexico residents be encouraged to ride bicycles for transportation as well as recreation and that the department of transportation be urged to embrace and promote Complete Street policies; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to the secretary of transportation.

Download the PDF here:  SM039