Farmington passes Resolution for more Bike Ed in Drivers Manual!
The current NM Driver Handbook does not do an adequate job stating the rights and responsibilities of bicyclists on New Mexico roads. Cat Downing (Santa Fe) brought this to the BCNM Board's attention in June. The BCNM decided to fully support an effort to get all major municipalities in NM to send a City Resolution to the Governor for a new bicycle section in the Handbook, and make it an integral part of the drivers written test for a license.
Following Cat Downing's lead in Santa Fe, The Velo De Animas Bicycle Club (Farmington) took her template and sent it to the newly-elected mayor (and bicyclist) of Farmington, Tommy Roberts. Keith Ashmore, President of Velo De Animas, asked Mayor Roberts if the City would like to draft a resolution of our own to send to the Governor.
Mayor Roberts liked the idea so much, that he acted immediately, and had the City Attorney and City Clerk research and draw up a draft resolution for Council introduction. Within four weeks, the Draft Resolution was introduced, and then voted upon with Velo de Animas present in Council Chambers! The Bicycle Coalition or NM, and Velo De Animas wishes to thank our bicycle-friendly leader, Mayor Tommy Roberts for such great support!
The BCNM sincerely hopes that more cities in NM send the Governor a resolution asking for this same action.
---Keith Ashmore
Membership Chair, BCNM
President, BCNM, Farmington, NM