John,
Sorry I'm so late in responding. I wa out of town this weekend and just got back. I'm sending some more detailed information on the STR plate. Check out the link desribing KRS 174.120. I've spoken with Keith Lovan, Chair of the Rails to Trails Council, and we're working with "Frankfort" to try to have some of the money alloted to the R for T. Read on...
The county clerk issuing the STR plate shall receive $25 of which $3 shall constitute the clerk's fee, $12 shall constitute the cabinet's fee, and $10 shall be collected and paid to the Kentucky Division of Multi-modal Programs
www.kytc.state.ky.us/Multimodal/INDEX.HTM to be used to obtain better conditions for cyclists, to include but not be limited to production and placement of signs, providing appropriate infrastructure such as marking of bicycle lanes, improving education of road users, and promoting bicycling for fun, fitness and transportation, pursuant to KRS 174.120. The $10 is tax
deductible. http://www.lrc.state.ky.us/KRS/174-00/120.PDF
The special STR license plate shall be replaced on the same schedule as regular license plates, during the applicant's birth month. When applying for a renewal registration decal, a person with a STR plate shall pay a $5 fee in addition to the renewal fee established in KRS 186.186(2). This $5 fee shall be collected by the county clerk and remitted to the Kentucky Division of Multi-modal Programs.
I know that sounds like a lot of legal jargon; I took it directly from the proposed bill. The cost is comparable to all specialty plates (Nature,Collegiate, Armed Services, Ducks Unlimited, etc.).
After the bill is presented in January, we have until September 1, 2005, to obtain the 900 applications. At that time, I plan to contact both TV stations and newspapers across the state to help spread the word. We'll get the word out through cycling clubs and bike shops as well. I am a physical therapist and plan to utilize my personal/professional contacts also. Once the plate
is produced, I feel it will advertise itself. It's just up to the first 900
of us to make sure the plate gets produced.
LOOKING AHEAD TO 2005: The initial 900 applicants will be required to complete an application and give a $25 retainer to the KY State Treasurer. The $25 would, of course, be applied toward that individual's own plate. I am still working these details out with my contact in Frankfort as I want to make this process as simple as possible to encourage more participation. It will probably be March/April 2005 before we can start sending in the
applications as the Assembly will convene by March 30 next year.
Thanks for the support! What you can do now is SPREAD THE WORD! I'm keeping track of all the e-mail addresses of those who have responded. Next spring I will e-mail specific instructions on what to do to get signed up as one of the initial 900.
Quoted post said:Originally posted by JohnO
Alison -
Sounds nice, but I would think an equivalent effort put into getting a few more bike paths would be more beneficial. A rails to trails effort would be even better - I've been on one up in Ohio, sure wish we had something like that around here. However, any help for cycling in this area is good, so more power to you. I'll get one if the offer it.
I live near Versailles - central KY is a beautiful place to ride, once you get away from the main roads and out in horse farm country. If you see a gold Trek Y-Foil or blue Cannondale tandem on US60 between Versailles and Frankfort, that's me.
--John
