The TBC worked with the National Conference of State Legislators to organize a bike ride for attendees of the Conference in San Antonio
on Friday, December 8, 2006. A chilly December morning brought out
legislators, family, and staff to ride the scenic route through San Antonio.
The hearty group was in good spirits preparing for their ride with hot
coffee and baked Mexican patries before being fitted for bikes and
helmets. With everyone geared-up, the group departed the hotel at 6:30
a.m. for the 10 mile tour through town.
The ride was hosted by
Texas State Senators Leticia Van de Putte (D) of San Antonio and Jeff Wentworth (R) of San Antonio.
Senator Leticia Van de Putte and Senator Jeff Wentworth arrived at the
beginning of the ride to cheer on riders and support the efforts of
their local teams. This was the second NCSL Bi-partisan ride that TBC
has supported this year. The first ride was in August with Texas State
Senator Rodney Ellis (R) and Tennessee State Senator Jim Tracy (D)
hosting the event in Nashville, Tennessee.
That event proved to be a huge success as well with sixteen elected
officials and twenty-five legislative staff riding the Stones River
Greenway.
Thank you all for taking the time to take our Membership Survey. We are currently evaluating the data and will post the results of the survey as it becomes available.
If you have any questions regarding the survey, please feel free to contact our membership director at:
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Bicycle Advisory Committee Meeting
Tuesday, 12 December 2006
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Bicycle Advisory Committee (BAC) met on November 29, 2006, at the TxDOT office complex on Riverside Drive in Austin. The main topic of the meeting was the upcoming TxDOT call for proposals for the Safe Routes to School program.
The call is expected around January, 2007 with up to $30 million available to communities across the state.The monies are from the 2005 Federal Transportation Bill, know as SafeTEA-LU.
Enhancements funding has been saved from further cuts!
Updates to Enhancements Issue:
Texas Bicycle Coalition staff and members played a leading role in saving over $75 million in Transportation Enhancements (TE) and the program. Cyclists rallied to the calls for action and sent scores of hand-delivered letters to TxDOT Commissioners.
The latest news from TxDOT on TE can be found at: www.dot.state.tx.us/news/006-2007.htm. Our combined efforts have saved TE from further cuts. Prior to the last rescission announcement from FHWA, the TxDOT Commission had said all of the remaining TE funds would be used toward future rescissions.
The Commission held a "Rescissions Listening Session" on March 22, 2007. Many cyclists showed up at the urging of TBC. Among those who spoke were: Robin Stallings, Executive Director of the Texas Bicycle Coalition, Preston Tyree, League of American Bicyclists Board Vice-President, and Stanton Truxillo, former Austin Cycling Association President. They all made strong cases for TE in their testimonies to the Commission. Transcript and video of the March 22 meeting can be found at: www.dot.state.tx.us/about_us/texas_transportation_commission/2007mtgs.htm
We really appreciate the assistance that Rails to Trails Conservance and the Enhancements Clearinghouse have given Texas Bicycle Coalition in our fight to save Transportation Enhancements. It has been very gratifying to work with the Texas Downtown Assocation, Downtown Austin Alliance, and many of the other organizations that have stepped up to save Enhancements from further cuts.
Texas Bicycle Coalition has initiated an aggressive grassroots campaign to spread awareness of the issue and gain support for reversing the decision including the following actions:
* In addition to the research, Texas Bicycle Coalition also recently met with 30 members of the U.S. Congress representing Texas in Washington D.C. regarding Enhancements last week.
* Texas Bicycle Coalition has sent multiple action alerts and have generated scores of letters that were hand-delivered to the TxDOT Commissioners and to members of Congress.
* Texas Bicycle Coalition has testified and/or generated attendance at almost every TxDOT Commission hearing since the rescissions were announced in November 2006.
* Texas Bicycle Coalition has helped form a coalition that includes preservation, historic, and economic development organizations to resist the Enhancement cuts.
* Texas Bicycle Coalition met with both the State House and Transportation Committee Chairs on the issue (Representative Krusee and Senator Corona). The Senate Committee then passed a resolution rebuking TxDOT.
* Texas Bicycle Coalition has worked with the National Enhancements Clearinghouse and Environmental Defense Fund to get advice and assistance on strategy and research.
On Monday, October 23, 2006, at 6:30pm, the LMRA Bicycle Club will host a public meeting for NCTCOG official Helen Chaney to discuss bicycling in the Fort Worth Area. Special guest, Fort Worth Councilman Carter Burdette will also be in attendance. Here is an opportunity to hear what NCTCOG officials have planned for North Texas transportation and air quality, and more specifically, how bicycling in North Texas will benefit. The Texas Bicycle Coalition, along with LMRA, encourages all who can to attend this meeting.
Membership Drive a Success at Hotter’N Hell Hundred
Friday, 15 September 2006
“Are you a member of Texas Bicycle Coalition?” were the words from staff and volunteers working at the Texas Bicycle Coalition membership booth at this year’s Hotter’N Hell Hundred in Wichita Falls. The Coalition raised more than $3,000 for its membership program and bicycle advocacy efforts from people joining, renewing and contributing to the Coalition’s 2007 Legislative Warchest.
TBC
