On Tuesday, February 16 Kurt Glore and Virginia Blaine traveled to the Missouri State Capitol to participate in the Missouri Bicycle and Pedestrian Federations Bike Day at the Capitol in Jefferson City, MO. Below is a letter sent out to the Parkland Cyclists Members.

I would like to report that Virginia Blaine and I had an excellent experience at the Missouri Bicycle and Pedestrian Federation “Bike Day at the Capitol” on Tuesday. We met with other members of the MoBikeFed from around the state as we converged on the Capitol for what was a very successful day of meeting with our legislators. Virginia and I first met with J C Kuessner from District 152. Our Pedal the Parkland ride visits J C’s district when we are in the Elephant Rocks area as well as the route to Taum Sauk Mountain. Mr. Kuessner was very responsive to our message, which we focused on current legislation around the three foot passing rule, complete streets and safe routes to school. We also discussed the need for funding in the Travel and Tourism budget to support future Tour of Missouri races. Mr. Kuessner introduced Virginia and I on the House Floor during their session.

After speaking with Mr. Kuessner we then spoke with Representative Linda Fischer of District 107. Rep. Fischer was also very responsive to our message and fully supports the measures. We took the opportunity to speak with Rep. Fischer about some of the local activities our club is doing around making our communities safer for cyclists and pedestrians and she supports those ideas as well. Rep. Fischer had the House Photographer snap a picture of the three of us for her legislative newsletter.

After speaking with Rep. Fischer we took a lunch break and then joined up with MoBikeFed Executive Chairman Brent Hugh. Brent accompanied Virginia and I to see House Majority Leader Steven Tilley of District 106. Mr. Tilley was very supportive of our message and even talked to us about his experience at the Tour of Missouri and how much that meant to our communities. Mr. Tilley’s parents are members of our club and are avid cyclists.

The next and final legislative visit of the day was to Senate Majority Leader Kevin Engler of District 3. Once again Mr. Brent Hugh joined us to meet with Senator Engler. Mr. Engler was in support of the current measures regarding safe cycling and pedestrian activities as well as seeing the Tour of Missouri. Mr. Engler also expressed his desire to see the Rails to Trails initiative pick up in our area and described a wonderful vision for trail that followed the rails in our area and could take cyclists on a great journey. At the end of our meeting Mr. Engler gave us a private tour of the Senate Chambers in which we got to go out on the floor since they were not in session at the time.

Each of the legislators that we met with were extremely accommodating and made us feel right at home. They took time out of their very busy schedules to speak with us and gave us their full attention during our conversations. We gave each of the legislators that we met with an honorary membership to the Parkland Cyclists and asked for their continuing support of safe cycling in our area and throughout the state.

If you have any questions or would like to know more about our visit to Jefferson City please let me know.

Thanks,

Kurt Glore President – Parkland Cyclists