One Last "Gift" From Lt. Gov Healey to Bicyclists

Last Sunday, Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey fired off a memo to the Legislature announcing that she would veto the Bicycle Safety Bill, which was established to do exactly what its title suggests.

The bill involved training police to assist in enforcing the rules of the road for drivers and cyclists.

For more, head over to MassBike, who worked hard to get this bill to pass. They mourn the death of the bill and have a theory as to why Healey vetoed it: "It appears that Healey completely misunderstood the intent of the bill, believing it to impose new regulation on 'recreational affairs.'"

From the brevity of her veto letter, it seems that Healey wasn't out to get bicyclists or prove some point that regulating car-cycle interactions will lead to Big Government. She natters about how the bill is "unwarranted governmental intrusion," but that sounds like she put her Republican Motor on autopilot. The most likely reason for the rejection was that she was too busy cleaning out her office to give the bill a second look.

The bill is absolutely necessary. The Boston area stands as one of the worst possible places to ride a bicycle. Getting doored at least once is almost guaranteed. One cyclist, Jesse Kanson-Benanav is irate: "I would happily accept being subject to fines for running reds or stop signs in exchange for cops actually doing something about the CRAZY BASTARDS who nearly kill me every day."

And, hey, what was Kerry Healey doing vetoing bills, anyway? Wasn't Mitt signing away like his life depended on it so he could look involved?

MassBike will try again, and, with a little more pushing and more lawmakers on their way in rather than on their way out, the bill just might pass this go-round.

Hat tip for this post goes to Tomdog.

Awesome bike in Somerville from Flickr user qousqous.