BikeTexas 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.
We worked closely with bill author Representative Joe Farias’s office to craft acceptable bill language. Unfortunately, the bill was never scheduled for a floor vote and died in the Calendars Committee.