• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

BikeTexas

Advancing Bicycle Access, Safety, and Education

$0.00
(0)

Free shipping on all bike lights

Shop the BikeTexas Store!

  • Advocacy
    • Get Involved – Identify Your Legislators
    • TAP Funding
    • Complete Streets
      • Get Involved
      • Sign the Petition
    • Shifting Gears
    • Safe Passing
      • Safe Passing FAQs
    • National Bike Summit
    • VIP Bike Rides
    • NCSL Bike Rides
    • Legislative Success
    • Bikes on Driver Test Bill
    • Action Alerts
    • Matthew Brown Act
    • Contact Your Representative
    • Contacting City Council Members
    • Enhancements
    • Memorial Funds
  • Education
    • BikePedEd Books and Lights
      • BikePedEd Order Form
      • BikePedEd Sample Request
    • Educational Resources
      • Safe Routes to School Handbook
      • SafeCyclist Teacher Master Pages
    • SafeCyclist Curriculum and Certification
    • College Active Transportation Safety (CATS)
      • Presentations
      • CATS Resources and Activities
      • Safety Bling! Music Video
    • Texas Trails & Active Transportation Conference
    • Best Practices
    • BikeTexas KidsKup
      • Event Schedule
    • Share the Road Adult Education
    • Texas in Motion
  • Roads & Trails
    • Texas Bicycle Laws – 8 Things to Know
    • IMBA Rules of The Trail
    • Texas Active Living Network
    • BikeTexas Benchmark Study
    • North Texas Trails
  • About Us
    • BikeTexas BikeNews
      • Get Our Newsletter
    • Mission and Vision
    • Strategic Plan 2014-2019
    • Reports & Audits
    • Members
      • Individual Memberships
      • Business Memberships
      • Org and Club Membership
    • Contact Us
    • BikeTexas Staff
    • Board of Directors
    • Advisory Board
    • Press Room
      • BikeTexas In The News
      • Press Releases
      • Resolutions
    • Memorial Funds
    • Employment
    • Earth Share
    • Annual Meeting
  • Become a Member
  • Donate
  • Store
  • eBike Tours
  • My account
    • Orders
    • Addresses
    • Payment methods
    • Account details
  • Cart
You are here: Home / BikeTexas BikeNews / BikeNews; Advocacy / 2011 Legislative Session Wrap Up
2011 Legislative Session Wrap Up

2011 Legislative Session Wrap Up

Dear Fellow Cyclists,

Thank you for your support during the 2011 legislative session. Every Texas legislative session is unique and challenging in its own way and this past session was no exception.   In spite of a well-written bill with bipartisan authorship, an impressive alliance of organizations in support, a legislative team with decades of experience, and an active, informed, grassroots we were unable to pass Complete Streets in 2011.  While we are disappointed that the bill, filed as SB 513 and HB 1105, did not pass this session, we are not surprised.  Making Texas a better place for cyclists and pedestrians is a tough sell in our car-centric legislature.  A compelling and logical argument will not win the day without a powerful and committed grassroots.

The challenge before all of us in the next two years is twofold: educate the legislators about the value of Complete Streets and further build our grassroots muscle so that it is politically advantageous to elected officials to accommodate bicyclists and pedestrians.  Please join or renew your membership in BikeTexas, recruit your friends that care about safe places to bikes and walk and shop at the wonderful bicycle shops that contribute so much to our work.

See the links below for a recap of the state, local and federal legislation and activities we have been working on for the past six months.  We have also been very busy working on our bicycle and pedestrian safety education programs which we will detail in a future update.

Regards,

Robin Stallings
Executive Director
BikeTexas

++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Legislative Team
Staff
Robin Stallings – has managed six state legislative sessions on behalf of BikeTexas, registered lobbyist
Leslie Puckett – BikeTexas Staff Attorney, registered lobbyist
Emma Cravey – former staff for a US Congressman and a City Councilmember
Jack Sanford – Graphic Designer
Mark Stine – Special Projects Manager, fourth legislative session on behalf of BikeTexas

Outside Lobbyists

Ray Allen – Contract Lobbyist, former State Representative
Scott Gilmore – Contract Lobbyist, former Chief of Staff for State Representative
Jeff Heckler – Contract Lobbyist, former Chief of Staff for State Senator

Citizen Lobbyists
Many people called, emailed or visited their legislators.

STATE UPDATE

Cyclists in Suits 2011
Shifting Gears 2011
Complete Streets Milestones
Collaboration with the Partnership for a Healthy Texas, AARP and Transit Authorities
Texting Ban Passes Senate
Bike Ban Defeated in Texas State Cemetery

Trails on Utility Rights-of-Way

Rear Red Light Bill

Specialty License Plate Revenue May Suffer
New TxDOT Policy More Bike and Ped Friendly

FEDERAL UPDATE

National Bike Summit
Federal Complete Streets Bill Filed
Federal Bike and Pedestrian Funding Safe for Now

LOCAL UPDATE

Safe Passing Ordinances Spreading

 


STATE UPDATE

Bike Ban Defeated in Texas State Cemetery

The Superintendent of the Texas State Cemetery attempted to ban cyclists from riding through the scenic cemetery. Although there was no explicit reference to bicycles in HB 2091, the bill analysis cited problems the cemetery has had with “an increase in bicycle traffic, which some claim has led to disruptions of tours, ceremonies, and other events.”

Read more: click here

 

Texting Ban Passes Senate

Text_Ban_Press_Conference_2011The Senate passed HB 242, which includes an amendment that bans texting while driving. Senator Judith Zaffirini introduced the amendment, which allows municipalities to ban drivers from using wireless communication devices unless they are stopped. BikeTexas attended the press conference of Representative Craddick, the bill author, and recruited many bicyclist supporters to attend the conference.

Read more: click here

 

Complete Streets Milestones

CompleteStreets-v3BikeTexas made solid progress in fighting for Complete Streets, though we will have to try again in 2013. It passed in both the House Transportation Committee and the Senate Transportation and Homeland Security Committee. Unfortunately, it did not pass through the House or Senate before the session ended, so Complete Streets will not be passed into law.  We will have to try again in 2013.

Read more: click here

 

Collaboration with the Partnership for a Healthy Texas, AARP and Transit Authorities

We couldn’t have gotten as far as we did without help from the Partnership for a Healthy Texas, the AARP, transit authorities and other groups (click here for a full list). BikeTexas’ Executive Director, Robin Stallings, is on the steering committee for the Partnership, which is an association of health-related organizations that crusade against obesity and promote diet and exercise-related legislation.

Read more: click here

 

New TxDOT Policy More Bike and Ped Friendly

Though Complete Streets did not become law, BikeTexas was influential in beefing up the Texas Department of Transportation’s new bicycle and pedestrian policy which goes into effect on August 31, 2011. BikeTexas gave feedback on the draft of the policy, and TxDOT included several of the following suggestions from BikeTexas. The policy encourages TxDOT projects (on state facilities) to consider bicycle and pedestrian amenities. If no bicycle and pedestrian facilities are planned, the managing office shall state why no such facilities are planned. Also, the inclusion of bicycle and pedestrian facilities shall be considered when the project is scoped, which means it must be considered when the project is initially planned.

Read more: click here

 

Trails on Utility Rights-of-Way

Utility-Trails-PhotoSeveral groups in Houston, along with BikeTexas, had hopes that HB 1943 would allow for the development of trails along utility rights-of-way, in order to connect five major bayou trails in the Houston area. By absolving from liability the owners and/or operators of utility rights-of-way in Houston and El Paso, HB 1943  would have facilitated development of multi-use walking and biking trails along utility easements in those areas.

Read more: click here

 

Rear Red Light

HB 1583 would have required a red light at night, and allowed the lights to be on the bicyclist or the bicycleBikeTexas also attempted to help pass HB 1583, a bill that would have required cyclists to have a rear red light as well as a front white light.  Currently the state transportation code only requires a red rear reflector, but we believe that a reflector alone is much less safe than a light. The bill also would have allowed for lights to be on the bicyclist or the bicycle. Currently lights are required on the bicycle itself.

Read more: click here

 

Specialty License Plate Revenue May Suffer

Share the Road Y'all license plate funds the BikeTexas Share the Road Motorist/Cyclist Education programSadly, BikeTexas may have lost much of its essential specialty license plate funding this legislative session. BikeTexas currently receives revenue from four specialty license plates, including the Share the Road Y’all Plate and the new Texas Trails plate, which it uses to fund its child bicycle safety education programs. This legislative session, the House of Representatives and the Senate used the money in an attempt to balance the state budget deficit of $23 billion.

Read more: click here

 

Cyclists in Suits 2011 – Texas’ Bike Lobby Day

Cyclists in Suits 2011 Group PhotoThe state Capitol was awash in neon BikeTexas bicycle pins after about 40 cyclists and advocates descended on Austin for Cyclists in Suits Texas Bike Lobby Day on Monday, March 21. Cyclists from all over Texas split into small teams and met individually with transportation staffers in every legislative office at the Capitol — all 181 of them — to discuss key pieces of bike-friendly legislation filed this session.

Read more: click here

 

Shifting Gears 2011 – Transportation and Health Policy Luncheon with Gil Peñalosa

Gil Peñalosa, Director of 8-80 Cities, addresses legislators and staff at the Texas State Capitol for Shifting Gears 2011On Thursday, Febraury 3, 2011, over 150 people including several legislators and their staff filled a room at the State Capitol to hear Gil Penalosa speak about connecting health and quality of life to modest changes in our transportation. This lunch event was the second of three events in the 2011 Shifting Gears Lecture Series, which saw Penalosa speak twice in Austin and once in San Antonio, inspiring crowds to take action to improve Texan communities as places for people.

Read more: click here

 

FEDERAL UPDATE

Federal Bike and Pedestrian Funding Safe for Now

BikeTexas is engaged in saving Transportation Enhancements, Safe Routes to School, and Recreational Trails programs from federal rescissions.  Each year, the federal government asks state transportation agencies to return unobligated funding. Rescissions are decided by the TxDOT Transportation Commission based on the advice of TxDOT staff and an outside rescission advisory committee.

Read more: click here

 

Federal Complete Streets Bill Filed

On May 5, Representatives from California and Ohio introduced the Safe and Complete Streets Act of 2011, which would require state departments of transportation and metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) to write and adopt Complete Streets policies to apply to projects using federal funding. The bill is H.R. 1780.

Read more: click here

 

BikeTexas at the 2011 National Bike Summit

National Bike Summit 2011 - Texas DelegationIf it’s spring, it’s time for the National Bike Summit in Washington, D.C., and that’s exactly where BikeTexas staff went the week of March 6, 2011. This year, BikeTexas was able to send four staff members, and, as always, it was a valuable experience for each one.  Texas attendees included bike advocates, retailers, and cycling citizens who want to make a difference.

Read more: click here

 

LOCAL UPDATE

Safe Passing Ordinances Spreading

Vulnerable Road User Ordinances typically specify 3' passing for cars and 6' for commercial vehicles, including buses.BikeTexas has been traveling around the state and working with different city and community leaders to implement safe passing ordinances. This year, 4 new cities enacted safe passing ordinances – El Paso, Denton, Ft. Worth, Beaumont – totaling 9 cities with such ordinances.

However, the fight’s not over! Every city in Texas must pass this ordinance to truly make bicyclists and pedestrians safe. Please contact BikeTexas if your city has yet to pass this ordinance and you want to get involved in creating change in your community!

Our Sponsors

Primary Sidebar

DONATE

Support access, safety, and education for all people who ride bikes in Texas.

SHOP OUR STORE

Bike lights, t-shirts, jerseys, and more.

GET OUR NEWSLETTER

Sign up today to stay informed about how bicycling is improving in Texas!

PREMIERE BUSINESS MEMBERS & SPONSORS

Support Texas Cycling

Become a Member

Individual • Business • Club/Team • Event

BikePedEd

Bike education materials for your classroom, youth organization, and more.

Shop BikeTexas Store

Bike Lights, Jerseys, License Plates, T-Shirts, and more

Order License Plates

Share your love for bikes while driving your car

Donate to the Cause

Support access, safety, and education for all people who ride bikes in Texas.

Safety & Education

SafeCyclist Training

Get certified to teach the SafeCyclist Curriculum

Educational Resources

Resources for teachers and community members

SRTS Event Handbook

Mission and Vision

MISSION BikeTexas advances bicycle access, safety, and education. We encourage and promote bicycling, increased safety, and improved conditions. We unite and inspire people and provide a cohesive voice for people who ride bikes in … Read More » about Mission and Vision

Donate to BikeTexas’ Advocacy and Education Efforts

Get Our Newsletter

Footer

PREMIERE BUSINESS MEMBERS & SPONSORS

Get Involved

  • Membership Matters
  • Volunteer
  • Best Practices
  • Be There
  • Contacting Your Representative
  • Get Involved – Identify Your Legislators
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions

Order Your BikeTexas Jersey

BikeTexasJersey-2012-Front
BikeTexas
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
dero dealer
BIKETEXAS | Advancing Bicycle Access, Safety, and Education | © 2023 Texas Bicycle Coalition dba BikeTexas
Website by Logical Things