What's New!

This commission met twice in 2020 and is awaiting reorganization by the new Speaker of the House. The next meeting date is undecided. The bill as submitted would have allowed OHRV operation on nearly every road in the state. BWANH went on record opposing this idea and we thank the House and Senate Transportation Committees for their work in killing this provision. Note that a stand-alone bill seeking such use was defeated in the 2019 legislative session but advocates slipped the text into the new bill with OHRVs “disguised” as “non-traditional motor vehicles.”

With representatives of both the New Hampshire Off Highway Vehicle Association and New Hampshire Automobile Dealers Association and none from the Bike/Ped community, there is still real concern that the pressure to open more roads to OHRVs will continue. Among other concerns, the Commission did discuss that unlike cars, no safety inspections are required for OHRVs. BWANH will continue to watch the progress of this Commission and speak up to keep roads safer for pedestrians and cyclists.

HB-311: (was LSR 21-0414) Committee to develop rail trail management best practices

This new bill continues the efforts to develop rail trail management best practices. A new committee within the House Resources, Recreation and Development Committee would review management practices to maintain rail trails to reduce or limit exposure of possible contaminants to users and trail abutters. Key points were included in HB-1426 from the 2019 legislative session, commonly referenced as the “fugitive dust bill.”

If approved, the bill would require an interim report of findings and recommendations for proposed legislation by November 1, 2021.

State Rail Trail Plan Advisory Stakeholders Committee updates

NHRTC provided the Advisory Stakeholders Committee with additional information about rail trail funding, regional efforts promoting the Granite State Rail Trail (Salem to Lebanon) as part of the “Northeast Spine Network,” and details about the lapsed Federal funds in 2016-2019. The next committee meeting is scheduled for February then two public hearings in March. All meetings will be virtual or webinars with feedback sent to the committee chair. For the latest info, meeting minutes and schedules, please visit the project website at https://www.nhrailtrailsplan.com.

Open: Chief of NH Bureau of Trails position

A replacement for long-time NHBOT Chief Chris Gamache is now underway. BWANH and NHRTC have been assured by DNCR Commissioner Sarah Stewart that the position will support a balance of motorized and non-motorized activities. Ideas for a trail pass system and defining how public/private funds should be processed may wait until the new Bureau Chief is selected. Clinton Savage is in the acting role but his responsibilities are limited. The job posting for this position is on-line and closes January 21. Check the NHBOT website for details: https://www.dncr.nh.gov/employment/

Federal money for rail trails (and more) reportedly “left on the table” for four years

BWANH and NHRTC members held multiple meetings with NHDOT in December to determine why $6.9M in Federal Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) funds lapsed for 2016-2019 and what must be done to prevent such in the future. We were encouraged to learn that no funds lapsed in FY-2020 which ended on September 30 and that new TAP implementation options are planned to expedite the work previously left to the Local Project Administrators. Delays getting funded projects started resulted in some being cancelled with funding then lost.

As of January 5, NHDOT announced a new round of $3.2M in TAP funding is now open with “Letters of Intent” due by February 5. Projects must fall between $400,000 and $1,250,000 with a 20% match and be administered by a municipality. Non-profit and advocacy organizations are not eligible for TAP funding. For complete details visit the NHDOT website:

https://www.nh.gov/dot/org/projectdevelopment/planning/tap/index.htm

New LSR 21-0986: Bicycles entering intersections

BWANH is waiting for the bill number, but this LSR from Senator Gary Daniels pushes for the “Idaho stop.” Basically, bicyclists would treat stop signs as yield signs and stop lights as stop signs. Bicyclists and motorists are expected to follow the same rules of the road today while this proposal would allow cyclists to legally “roll through” stop signs and just pause at red lights if no traffic danger is perceived. Of course, motorists and cyclists “roll through” stop signs all the time. Motorists must stop and remain stopped at a red light until it changes to green while this bill would allow cyclists to “almost stop” then continue to keep up momentum. The “Idaho stop” involves much controversy but at this time BWANH has not taken a position.  Please see the article “Stop or Yield” in this issue of “The Advocate.”

WANT TO UNDERSTAND HOW THE NH LEGISLATIVE PROCESS WORKS?  Here is a primer to help you.   http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/misc/leg_process.htm