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.
Courtesy of the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA):
A dangerous new Forest Service policy could close hundreds of miles of singletrack in two states. This potentially precedent-setting change must be stopped before it spreads to Texas and other states. Act now to preserve mountain bike access to singletrack in backcountry areas.
"This could become the largest access issue in five years," warns Jenn Dice, IMBA's government affairs director. This policy would expel mountain bikers from more than 700 miles of singletrack in Montana and Idaho and, if left unchallenged, could set national precedent.
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
“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.
Legislators Pedal Together on National Bipartisan Bike Ride
State legislators from throughout the country joined together on Thursday, August 17 at 7:00 am in Nashville, Tennessee for the second annual NCSL Bipartisan Bike Ride. The legislators and their staff and family members shared a leisurely cruise along Nashville’s new Stones River Greenway to celebrate cycling during the National Conference of State Legislators (NCSL) annual meeting.
The ride, hosted by State Senator Rodney Ellis (D-Texas) and State Senator Jim Tracy (R-Tennessee), was a huge success. Sixteen elected officials and approximately 25 legislative staffers registered and attended the ride from all over the country.
Bicycling’s Future in China (and the United States, Too?)
China has a population of more than a billion people — four times the population of the United States. Until recently, bicycling and walking reigned supreme throughout most of China as the preferred mode of travel. Yet, since 1978, automobile use on China's roads has increased more than 20 times! This is due in large part to government crackdowns on bicycles. There are estimates that at the current pace auto usage could quintuple again by 2020.
In some cities like Shanghai, motorists flagrantly disobey traffic signals and barrel through crosswalks while pedestrians are crossing. Unfortunately and amazingly, the pedestrians and bicyclists are being fined! Imagine what would happen if this was the case in Texas? Now, faced with looming energy shortages and increased traffic congestion, China is taking a second look at how it has encouraged the increased use of automobiles and the decrease of bicycling and walking.
Live Auction Garners Funds for Legislative Warchest
Many thanks to all who participated in and helped make Texas Bicycle Coalition's 15th Anniversary Live Auction a success! The auction grossed more than $26,000 for the Coalition's Legislative Warchest! Bidders were able to participate online at Proxibid and live in person on Friday, August 25 at the Hotter’N Hell Expo in Wichita Falls.
TxDOT
