PEAC Students with Disabilities "Move Things Along" in Lansing

October 1st, 2013

By Monica Walls

Shawn Kohsmann and James Kleimola, two PEAC students who face the challenge of a cognitive impairment, testified in front of the House of Representatives Transportation and Infrastructure Committee this morning during PEAC’s second trip to Lansing this month. This hearing would determine the fate of House Bill 4866, the “hand-signal bill.”

Referred to by some as “commonsense legislation,” this bill would allow cyclists to extend their right arm to indicate a right turn. The current legislation requires an upturned left arm to indicate this turn. Kohsmann and Kleimola noted that the proposed signal is simpler for them as cyclists. They noted that it is also easier for drivers to understand this intuitive signal.

Kohsmann has been riding on the road for over 15 years, and uses the bike to access his job, family and community. He faces the challenge of a cognitive impairment and will not get a driver’s license. Living in the traffic-congested city of Canton, it is imperative that he communicates clearly with other users of the road. Kohsmann emphasized the importance of making this hand signal legal as a way of making roadways safer for him and other cyclists.

James Kleimola took the stage next.

“My name is James Kleimola. I have a cognitive impairment and cerebral palsy. I won’t get a driver’s license and I use a bike to get to work, school, football practice and church.”  Kleimola then noted that he currently uses an extended right arm to indicate a right-hand turn. This has been effective for him and motorists have understood.

While Chairman of the Committee, Representative Wayne Schmidt, was planning to push the vote on this bill until a later meeting, Schmidt proposed to pass the bill out of the committee onto the House Floor. With a unanimous vote, the Committee voted to pass along the bill.

While the federal government comes to a standstill, these young PEAC advocates are pushing Michigan forward. Chairman Schmidt acknowledged this after the completion of the vote, “Thank you James and Shawn, you got us to move a little faster here in Lansing.”

Kleimola expressed his excitement at the victory: “This is a great day.”

PEAC hopes to be back in Lansing soon, to ensure the success of this law as well as the Vulnerable User Act (link here).

Find out more about PEAC at their website, or contact John Waterman at jwaterman@bikeprogram.org.