Congratulations to the citizens of the Alamo City, who now have a Safe Passing Ordinance!
On a rainy Thursday, February 4, 2010, San Antonio City Council passed the Safe Passing Ordinance with the same language as SB 488, the Safe Passing Bill. The Safe Passing bill passed overwhelmingly in the 2009 State Legislative Session, but was subsequently vetoed by Governor Perry. Like the statewide bill, this local ordinance lists cyclists as well as pedestrians, motorcyclists, tow truck operators and other vulnerable road users as requiring special consideration when encountered on the roadway by motorists.
Testifying before the Council were San Antonio bicycle and pedestrian advocates Doug Tolbird, John Mayfield, Charlotte Kahl, George Longoria, JD Simpson, Pete Broderick, Rob Kane, Ashley Rosilier and Brian Wohlrabe along with BikeTexas staff member Mark Stine. One person spoke in opposition during the Citizens Communication.
Julia Diana, Senior Management Analyst for Sustainable Transportation for the City of San Antonio who laid much of the groundwork for the ordinance, was presenting at the same time in Austin at the 2010 Texas Trails and Active Transportation Conference but got the good news by text immediately after the vote. Diana made the announcement about the new ordinance to huge applause at the Conference’s Thursday night dinner.
The video archive can be viewed (go to about hour 3) here. The minutes can be viewed, starting on page 11, here.
Please contact BikeTexas staff at mail@biketexas.org or (512) 476-7433 for information if you are interested in pursuing a safe passing ordinance for your city. Each local safe passing ordinance with the model language identical to the state version passed by the Senate and House will strengthen the foundation for getting the bill passed into Texas law in the 2011 Legislative Session.
