The Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (VPAC) voted to request that its ad hoc committee return with a proposed name and scope for a study on accountability and collisions involving vulnerable road users. The motion, made and seconded during the meeting, passed by roll call.

The discussion followed lengthy remarks from Member Schiffmiller, who said last month’s conversation with a Santa Fe Police Department representative suggested an interpretation of the reckless-driving statute that adds an “intentional” element not found in the text. “The word intentionally was not in there,” Schiffmiller said, arguing that reading that standard into the law raises the bar for holding motorists accountable and reflects implicit bias against bicyclists. He added that while accountability is ethically and legally appropriate, he believes reengineering roads to slow vehicle speeds may be the most effective safety measure in practice.

Members debated scope and terminology. Several said the committee should use the term vulnerable road users to include pedestrians, children, seniors and people with disabilities; Member Judith Gabriel urged the name to retain the word “collisions” for clarity, proposing “accountability and collisions involving vulnerable road users.” Others raised including motorcyclists as potential allies while cautioning against a title that presumes motorists are at fault.

VPAC asked the ad hoc group to return with a proposed scope and committee name by the next VPAC meeting or as scheduling allows, and to clarify whether the deliverable will be a white paper, actionable recommendations, or both. The committee emphasized constraining the ad hoc committee’s timeline and asked for actionable items in addition to analysis.

What happens next: The ad hoc committee will develop a scope of work and a proposed name, and report back to VPAC for approval. The committee did not adopt legislative proposals or regulatory changes at the meeting; it instructed the ad hoc group to present options and timelines to VPAC.