Share the Road

On August 13^th, 2009, the day before he was to begin his senior year of high school, John Paul Frerer was struck by a pickup truck while riding his bicycle.  He was cycling from Tupelo to Oxford as part of his training for a 120 mile race.  Although he was rushed to the hospital after the collision, Frerer died that morning.    In an effort to prevent future tragedies like Frerer’s, bike advocate across the state of Mississippi worked with the Transportation Committees in the House and Senate to promote the the “John Paul Frerer Bicycle Safety act”. Bike Walk Mississippi(BWM) worked with legislators, local cycling groups and other advocates to promote passage of the law.  BWM and partners circulated an online petition (603 signatures), and worked with the media and led a variety of outreach efforts to educate Mississippians about the upcoming legislation. Residents from advocate groups attended House and Senate Transportation committee hearings to show their support.  Mississippi residents won a major victory in March when the John Paul Frerer Bicycle Safety act was passed.  The law officially went into effect in the state of Mississippi on July 1, 2010.

Download the John Paul Frerer Bicycle Safety Act Pocket Guide!

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BWM is now leading a statewide effort to educate citizens about the law and how it affects motorists, cyclists and pedestrians.   Please join us in our efforts to educate Mississippians about the 3 feet law & remind everyone to Share the Road!  Here are 3 steps you can take today to support the Share the Road efforts in Mississippi!

1. Become a member or make a donation to Bike Walk Mississippi. 

Your financial gift will support the statewide efforts of education & promotion of the 3 feet law.  BWM works to promote a safe environment and works to grow mutual respect among bicyclists and motorists in Mississippi.  BWM provides educational and promotional materials to bike shops, clubs, races, businesses and individuals free of charge.  Your gift will help get these materials in the hands of people around the state.  We must be vigilant to remind everyone that they can Save a life by Sharing the Road.

**If you wish, you can make a donation in honor of a fallen or injured cyclist and an honor card will be sent to the family.** If you making a donation in honor of someone please remember to include the name of the person & the address of family member in the notes section of your gift.  You can make a donation online HERE or if you wish to give by check, you can mail your dues or donation to:  Bike Walk Mississippi, PO Box 515, Jackson, MS 39205

2.   Every time you get in your car, remind other motorist to SHARE THE ROAD!  Purchase (or renew) your Share the Road license plate at your local tag office. $24 out of the $31 cost goes directly to the efforts of Bike Walk Mississippi.  Simply request a tag from “Bicycle Advocacy Group of Mississippi” (Bike Walk MS).  Every tag does double duty: Support Advocacy & remind motorists to Share the Road!  (We also have bumper stickers available, if you’d like one, send an email to bikewalk@bikewalkmississippi.org)

3. Sign our petition to protect ALL users of the road.

If you’d like to join our Safety/Education Team, please send an email to: bikewalk@bikewalkmississippi.org with the subject line: “Join Safety Efforts”