LANSING, MI -- Kalamazoo Bike Club's director of road safety is urging residents to support two proposals in the state legislature that would increase penalties for motorists who injure or kill bicyclists.

"It is obvious to many of us that a terrible but very real question we are facing is, how many bicyclists and other legal non-motorized users of Michigan roads will die or be injured before we get better and more equitable protection under the law in Michigan, state-wide?" Paul Selden stated in an email on Wednesday, Sept. 14.

At 3 p.m. on Sept. 20, the Senate Judiciary Committee is scheduled to take testimony on SB 1029 and SB 1030, which would create harsher sentencing guidelines for crimes that cause injury or death to "vulnerable roadway users" like bicyclists, pedestrians and wheelchair users.

The bills were introduced two days after the June 7 crash that killed five bicyclists and injured four others in Kalamazoo. They would expand existing law that applies a felony punishable by 15 years in prison for a crash causing serious physical injury or death.

The two bills are part of a five bill package created by Representatives Mike Callton and George Darany and Senators Margaret O'Brien and David Knezek in a bi-partisan effort.

Since the June 7 crash, Selden said there have been too many examples of cyclist's fragility, referencing the death of World Champion triathlete Karen McKeachie and injury of League of Michigan Bicyclists Tour Director Scott Elliott.

Selden said Kalamazoo residents need to show legislators bicycle safety is an important issue by sharing their own experiences with close calls.

The Senate Judiciary Committee members are:

Rick Jones

Tonya Schuitmaker

Tory Rocca

Patrick Colbeck

Steven M Bieda

You can also email the Committee Clerk and ask that your input be relayed to the members as a public comment at OfcSMCC@senate.michigan.gov or call 517-373-1721.