"I am writing to you as a resident of New Hampshire and a frequent cyclist on our state's roads. I was disturbed and outraged by your statement on the House floor on April 23, 2026. "It is against the law to run over pedestrians," you said. "It's against the law to run bicycles off the road, even though it's sometimes very tempting.""
"This is not a harmless remark. It is dangerous, irresponsible and completely inappropriate - particularly coming from the chair of the House Transportation Committee, a position responsible for promoting and protecting the safety for all road users. As highlighted in a recent piece by Paul Susca and Amanda Gourgue of the Bike-Walk Alliance, New Hampshire faces a troubling and worsening pattern of fatalities that involve pedestrians and cyclists."
"It is unacceptable for a public official to suggest - even in jest - that harming cyclists is "very tempting." Doing so sends several dangerous messages: that the safety and wellbeing of cyclists and pedestrians are negotiable; that reckless and aggressive driving is acceptable; and that vulnerable road users do not deserve protection."
A New Hampshire resident and frequent cyclist protested a state representative’s remark that it was “very tempting” to “run bicycles off the road.” The protest characterizes the comment as dangerous and inappropriate, especially because the representative chairs the House Transportation Committee. The protest cites a worsening pattern of fatalities involving pedestrians and cyclists, describing victims as real community members whose lives are permanently altered or ended. The protest argues that even joking sends harmful messages that cyclists and pedestrians are negotiable, that reckless driving is acceptable, and that vulnerable road users do not deserve protection. The protest emphasizes that cyclists already face close passes, hostility, and dangerous moments requiring split-second decisions.
#cycling-safety #road-safety #public-officials #pedestrian-and-cyclist-fatalities #transportation-policy
Read at Streetsblog USA
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