New Mexico Cycling Advocacy Information

Last modified: Fri Jun 17, 2011 10:57:50

Cyclists fare best when they act and are treated as drivers of vehicles.

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News

New "Bicycles are Vehicles" section in the New Mexico Driver's Manual

There is finally more than one sentence about bicycles in the New Mexico Drivers Manual! See page 25. A committee from Santa Fe's Bicycle and Trails Advisory Committee (BTAC) drafted the new "Bicycles are Vehicles" section. Thanks to all of BTAC - especially to Cat Downing, Lisa Miles, Shelley Robinson, and Gretchen Grogan. Thanks also to Tom Trowbridge of NMDOT, and Raul Alvarez and Mac Lewis of MVD.

Bicycle Laws

New Mexico statutes relating to bicycles

New Mexico administrative code relating to bicycles

Albuquerque traffic code relating to bicycles

Advocacy Action

Please consider contributing to the Paula Higgins Memorial Project

Do you think New Mexico needs to be more cycling friendly?
NMCycling.org does!

Here is something you can do to make this a reality. A number of individuals and organizations are trying to get a series of bills taken into consideration by the New Mexico State Legislature. Write to your State legislators and express your support for these bills! If you don't know who your legislators are, go here to find out (you'll need your 9-digit zip code). Here is the list of biils:

Allow bicyclists, snowmobilers, etc the option to use the right arm/hand to indicate right turn
Strike down mandatory side path and mandatory bike lane usage laws.
Prohibit cell phone use while operating vehicles on New Mexico roads unless hands free devices are used.
Create a CO2 Reduction Plan that includes bicycle usage
Create a Complete Streets and Bicycle and Pedestrian Accommodation policy
Create a Mountain Biking Plan
Policy requiring bicycle parking at state owned Facilities
Funding for purchase or installation of bike racks at state buildings
Create a system to determine percentage of state Highways that paved shoulders
Create a Bicycle Level of Service analysis tool to assess conditions of roadways.
Mandate a rumble strip policy with a minimum 4 ft. clearance for bicycles.
Create safety funding for bicycling
Add cyclists rights & responsibilities in drivers manuals and and related questions on drivers test and CDL exams
Create a Bicycle Drivers Manual
Direct State Tourism to include cycling in their promotions
Create a bicycle master plan that includes performance measures and projects list.
Include bicycle safety in Highway Safety Plan
Add cyclist rights & responsibilities education for Officers at Academy and continuing education programs.
Create a statewide share the road campaign
Create a Vulnerable User category in the Motor Vehicle Code
Create a Careless driving penalty. (See similar Oregon statue)
Modify Motor vehicle code to Require motorists to give Vulnerable users 5 feet clearance
Modify Motor vehicle code to state at no point is a bicyclist required to ride with less than 3 feet to objects & vehicles on the right.
Modify Motor vehicle code to forbid a person opening a motor vehicle door when it may endanger a cyclist or other vehicle. ( See attached Albuquerque code regarding bicycle usage for this and other items.)