House Bill 2894 orders the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to enter into a contract with a private vendor to market the sale of specialty license plates. The private marketing firm would be paid with fees generated by increasing the annual cost of specialty license plates by $25. Thus, the Share the Road license plate fee would increase to $55 annually, with $25 from each plate benefiting the marketing firm and $22 continuing to benefit Texas Bicycle Coalition’s bicyclist and motorist safety education programs.

In the next month, Coalition members will receive Membership ID cards with information about taking advantage of new hotel and rental car discount programs. The Coalition has teamed up with Choice Hotels International and Advantage Rent-A-Car to provide discounts to our members.

The Balcones Wilderness Preserve Citizens Advisory Committee held its second and final public forum the evening of February 15, 2006. The forum allowed interested members of the community to voice potential changes to the Land Management Plan. Currently, there are several restrictions set to preserve wildlife and flora including the possibility limiting mountain bike use.

The Coalition is accepting resumes to fill a key position: Membership Director. A full job description is available at www.BikeTexas.org/jobs.

2006 National Bike Summit, March 1-3, 2006

Texas Bicycle Coalition encourages local cycling clubs to sponsor a member to attend the National Bike Summit this March in Washington, D.C. This is a great way for cyclists to learn about and be directly involved in the bicycle advocacy process.