This should be done today to have impact and to make our roads safer:

From: "Malcolm Campbell" <mcampbell@gmidgroup.com>
Subject: UBC needs your help

Friends,
 
We need your help.
 
The Legislature has been preoccupied with tax cut issues and has not shown much interest in the agendas of small organizations like the Utah Bicycle Coalition.  So now that the tax issues seem to be worked out we are pushing to extend the $20K allocated last year to an additional $20-$40 K this year.  Last year the money was earmarked for Utah Highway patrol and they have used it to develop a series of radio adds running on the Wasatch front and TV PSA's running on hotel networks in Moab.  This effort will reach a limited audience and will only run for few weeks in the spring.  Our objective is to have them run longer and statewide next year.
 
The UBC is asking you to politely ask Senators Curt Bramble and Dave Thomas to earmark $20 to $40 K for UHP to promote safe driving and cycling.  Sen. Bramble was the person who got the 3' law through the senate last year and allocated money to UHP for publicizing it.  Sen. Thomas is the Senator who ordinarily allocates funds for the UHP.
 
Points to use:
1. Thanks for passing the 3 ft law and $20 to publicize it last year.
2. The $20 k allocated to UHP last year has been well used and is very helpful.
3. The task of making the roads safer is ongoing.
4. Our goal is to make both cyclists and drivers safer users of the road.
5. Both cyclists and drivers need to learn to respect the rules of the road and each other.
 
Below are the letters I sent to these Senators and you are free use them a sample.  Please remember these senators have been very helpful to us in the past and we look forward to a long friendly relationship with them.

Sen. Bramble's email: cbramble@utahsenate.org
Sen. Thomas' email: dthomas@co.summit.ut.us

other legislative emails: http://www.le.state.ut.us/asp/roster/roster.asp

 
Thanks
Malcolm Campbell
 
 

Dear Sen. Bramble,
 
Ted Wilson has asked me to take over his position of President of the Utah Bicycle Coalition so he may pursue other programs.  He still provides us with advice and support and will continue to work with the legislature on our behalf.
 
As the new President I am writing to thank you for your support last year for the "Three Foot Law," which cyclists around the State feel has made a significant difference in their safety, and for allocating $20,000.00 to the Utah Highway Patrol to publicize it.  As you may be aware UHP has developed a series of radio ads informing the public of the "three Foot Law" and the need for everyone to respect other users of the road.
 
The UHP publicity project is great but limited to a few weeks and will only be heard along the Wasatch Front.  The Utah Bicycle Coalition board and other cycling clubs and organizations have discussed this and feel there is a real need for a broader program that will run for several months and as a statewide effort to promote both safe cycling and safe driving.
 
Our goal is have drivers and cyclists respect the rules of the road and each other.  To accomplish this we need help from educators, police, and law makers.  We request that you, as a law maker, consider our request for $20,000.00 to $40,000.00 earmarked for the Utah Highway Patrol to be used to further educate cyclists and drivers of their responsibilities toward each other.
 
Thank you for all you have done for cycling and we wish you well in your legislative career.
 
Sincerely
 
Malcolm Campbell, President
Utah Bicycle Coalition
 
 

 
Dear Sen. Thomas,
 
Sen. Bramble has informed us that you are the Senator with authority to allocate funds for the Utah Highway Patrol.  Last year the Senate passed the "Three Foot Law," which cyclists around the State feel has made a significant difference in their safety, and allocated $20,000.00 to the Utah Highway Patrol to publicize it.  As you are aware UHP has developed a series of radio adds informing the public of the "Three Foot Law" and the need for everyone to respect other users of the road.
 
As the new Utah Bicycle Coalition President I am writing to thank you for your support last year.  The UHP publicity project is great but limited to a few weeks and will only be heard along the Wasatch Front.  The Utah Bicycle Coalition board and other cycling clubs and organizations have discussed this and feel there is a real need for a broader program that will run for several months and as a statewide effort to promote both safe cycling and safe driving.
 
Our goal is to have drivers and cyclists respect the rules of the road and each other.  To accomplish this we need help from educators, police, and law makers.  We request that you, as a law maker, consider our request for $20,000.00 to $40,000.00 earmarked for the Utah Highway Patrol to be used to further educate cyclists and drivers of their responsibilities toward each other.  With this additional funding UHP can expand their current project statewide and extend it over a longer period which will make Utah a better place for all.
 
Thank you for all you have done for cycling and we wish you well in your legislative career.
 
Sincerely
 
Malcolm Campbell, President
Utah Bicycle Coalition