HOUSE MEMORIAL 76

52nd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2016

INTRODUCED BY

Matthew McQueen

A MEMORIAL

DECLARING FEBRUARY 13, 2016 "BICYCLE AWARENESS AND SAFETY DAY" IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND SUPPORTING BICYCLIST NATHAN BARKOCY AND COACH STEPHEN WILLIAMSON.

     WHEREAS, the growing popularity of bicycle riding brings with it increased health benefits, reduced pollution and access to the great outdoors; and

     WHEREAS, as the popularity of bicycling has increased, however, so have the number of deaths and injuries to bicyclists; and

     WHEREAS, the department of health reports that New Mexico is the nation's second-deadliest state for bicyclists; and

     WHEREAS, in 2015, sixteen-year-old Nathan Barkocy became the youngest category four racer to win the tour of the Gila in southwestern New Mexico and held aspirations to win in category three in 2016; and

     WHEREAS, Nathan is a sophomore at St. Pius X high school, and, with several other teenagers, races for the TLC junior development team; and

     WHEREAS, on January 23, 2016, while Nathan was on a fifty-mile training ride, a car struck Nathan's bike near Coors boulevard and Los Padillas road southwest; and

     WHEREAS, Nathan was taken to the university of New Mexico hospital, where he was in a coma with a traumatic brain injury; and

     WHEREAS, Nathan has begun a long road to recovery after his injuries; and

     WHEREAS, Nathan's coach, Stephen Williamson, also was struck and injured, although not as severely; and

     WHEREAS, the driver involved in the accident was cited for careless driving; and

     WHEREAS, devastating accidents like the one in which Nathan and Stephen were involved happen all too frequently, and awareness of bicycle safety is important; and

     WHEREAS, bicyclists and motorists alike share responsibility for roadway safety through increasing safe- riding behaviors among bicyclists and heightening awareness and personal responsibility among motorists, according to the national highway traffic safety administration; and

     WHEREAS, bicyclists can put "safety first" by always wearing a helmet; riding as a vehicle on the road; traveling in the same direction as traffic; obeying traffic signs, signals and lane markings; signaling all turns and following local laws; staying visible by wearing bright, reflective colors; using bicycle lights at night; and refraining from the use of electronic devices or riding while impaired by alcohol or drugs; and

     WHEREAS, drivers of motor vehicles must share the road with bicyclists; respect designated bicycle lanes; allow at least three feet of clearance when passing a bicyclist on the road; look for cyclists before opening a car door or pulling out from a parking space; yield to cyclists at intersections and as directed by signs and signals; look for cyclists when making turns; never drive distracted or impaired; and always wear seat belts;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that February 13, 2016 be declared "Bicycle Awareness and Safety Day" in the house of representatives; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that support be extended to bicyclist Nathan Barkocy and coach Stephen Williamson on their road to recovery; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to Nathan Barkocy and Stephen Williamson.

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