This year, Texas Bicycle Coalition turns 15! To celebrate its 15th year of providing Texans with professional bicycle advocacy and safety education, the Coalition will hold a live auction with great bicycle collectibles at the Hotter’N Hell Hundred in Wichita Falls. The live auction will occur on Friday, August 25, during the spaghetti dinner.

Here’s your chance to bid on incredible auction items such as an autographed 2003 U.S. Postal Team Flag donated by former Wichita Falls Postmaster Robie Christie. Other items include a five-night stay for four at an historic Colorado lodge and a Texas Bicycle Coalition ball cap signed by famous cyclists including Lance Armstrong, Miguel Indurain and Sally Edwards.

By bidding on auction items, you can help support the Coalition’s goal of raising $12,000 to fund our Safe Passing bill campaign for the 2007 Legislative session. The bill would require a motorist to give at least three feet of clearance when passing a bicyclist and would require a commercial vehicle to give at least six feet of clearance when passing a bicyclist.

Approximately 50 cyclists per year are killed in bicycle-automobile crashes. About 40 percent of cyclists are killed by motorists traveling in the same direction. Most of those 20 deaths per year could be prevented if this law were enacted and obeyed by motorists.

Be sure to join us on August 25 at the Hotter’N Hell Hundred and support the future of bicycling in Texas while bidding on some extraordinary auction items!