State rep co-sponsoring anti-bicycling bill won’t support the measure

• Georgia House Communications
• State Rep. Emory Dunahoo, R-Gainesville

It’s usually not too far of a stretch to assume that the co-sponsor of a bill is going to vote for the piece of legislation. Well, apparently in the case of state Rep. Emory Dunahoo Jr., R-Gainesville, and the controversial anti-bicycling legislation he and two other Hall County Republicans are proposing, it is.

Last night, Dunahoo began commenting on the “Rise up against Georgia hb689” Facebook group in response to arguments against a piece of legislation he’s co-sponsoring that would require all bicycles be registered and licensed for a $15 fee. In addition, the legislation would place rules against groups of more than four bicyclists pedaling together and restrictions on which major roadways cyclists could use. Dunahoo explained on the Facebook group that he wanted to raise awareness about certain cyclists “not abiding by the rules of the road” but does not actually plan to vote for his own proposed legislation.

“You are missing the point,” Dunahoo said in a Facebook comment. “I said I will not vote for this !!! It will more than likely be dropped ! You need to understand there are a lot of people FED UP with certain cyclist and the way they hog the road . There are also many motorist that need to be more patient with cyclist . Wake up and listen , show up tomorrow night and voice your opinion! It’s easy to sit on rear and talk trash when as usual you don’t know both sides of the issue . Again I do not plan on voting for this bill . Just needed to get both sides to the table. Your welcome.”

In another Facebook conversation, Dunahoo wrote:

I do not plan on voting for this bill nor taxing anyone . We have been beaten up for over a year about rebel cyclist . Although I had a meeting with a small group from both sides it didn’t get to far . However sometimes you have to play devils advocate to get people attention . There are a lot of people on the motorist side wanting something done . That is all I wanted to put the ball in their court . Never did and will not vote for a new tax unless we do away with state tax and install a flat tax .

Dunahoo and the other two sponsors of the bill, state Reps. Carl Rogers and Lee Hawkins, both Hall County Republicans, are hosting a public hearing on the bill tonight from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Hall County Government Building in Gainesville. People have the option of attending the meeting to voice their concerns and opinions about the legislation - or joining the protesters who plan to outside the venue.

Georgia Bikes agrees with Dunahoo that the bill will not make it far. The advocacy group posted on its blog: “We believe there is essentially no chance this bill will become the law and we have zero indication it will even come up for a vote in the House.”