We can’t take on the legislature without you! The 2023 legislative session is coming up fast and we’re gearing up to push for biking- and walking-friendly legislation–and to push back against laws that would impact people who bike and walk in Texas. It’s a story we’ve seen repeated over and over—newly-elected legislators come to Austin […]
BikeNews; Advocacy
Game Faces On: Getting Ready for the 2023 Lege Session
Elections 2022: BikeTexas Endorsements
Happy Election Day, Texas! If you haven’t voted yet, make sure you have a plan to vote today before 7 PM. (If you are in line when the polls close, stay in line!) Find all the election info you need at VoteTexas.gov or your county clerk’s website. BikeTexas has endorsed candidates in several Austin-based races: […]
Texas Awarded Federal Grant for Bicycle Tourism Trails
The Northeast Texas Trail and Paso del Norte Trail (El Paso County) got a big boost from federal RAISE grants last week when US DOT approved TxDOT’s application for $25 million to be spent between these two projects. Both trails are part of the long-envisioned Bicycle Tourism Trails Network, which passed the Texas legislature in […]
News By Bike: July 22, 2022
Looking for some weekend reading? Look no further than these links we thought were worth sharing this week: From BikeTexas: Do you have a PE class, Scout group, bike train, or other group of young people who need bike safety materials for the upcoming school year? Request a free BikePedEd Sample Pack here. From around […]
Third Annual Emancipation Trail Ride Celebrates Juneteenth
On June 12, Texans led by Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis rode the third annual Emancipation Trail ride from Galveston to Houston in celebration of Juneteenth. The Emancipation Trail follows the route that newly freed people took in 1865 from Galveston to Houston to spread the news of freedom and find a place to call […]
BikeTexas Statement Regarding the Waller County Crash
BikeTexas board and staff are appalled and horrified at the recent news from Waller County that a 16-year-old driver of a diesel truck struck multiple people riding bicycles while attempting to “roll coal” on a group of bicyclists. All of the people who he hit with his truck were transported to the hospital. We fully […]
Second Annual Emancipation Trail Ride Held on June 20
Ride Commemorates Juneteenth For the second year, a group of bicyclists including Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis rode from Galveston to Houston to celebrate Juneteenth on Texas’ Emancipation Trail–one of only two National Historic Trails in the US that celebrate Black history. Congresswoman Shelia Jackson Lee joined the group for the Houston portions of the […]
New Trail Funding in Texas
BikeTexas has been working with local, state, and federal elected officials as well as local groups in Houston, Dallas, and Austin to secure federal funding for trails projects in Texas. While the projects in Houston and Dallas were not selected in this round, we’re proud that Austin will receive funding for trails in underservered communities […]
On the Lege: Sine Die
The 87th Regular Texas Legislative Session has come to an end, and while we may be calling it a “regular” session, we know that it was anything but that. A special session is scheduled for July, and we’re paying attention to see if anything related to active transportation will come up. In the meantime, here […]
On The Lege: April 2021
The 2021 legislative session is coming into the final stretch, and it’s do-or-die time for pending legislation. For the following bills, phone calls to your representative are helpful, but only contact your representative or senator if they sit on the relevant committee. House Transportation and House Calendars are the committees to contact right now. Also, […]
BikeTexas Today – February 2021
We hope you and yours have remained safe and are recovering from the recent winter weather emergency. Texans have time and again stepped up to help our neighbors in need, and this crisis was no exception.Although the time when we can gather again still feels like it’s a long way away, we look forward to […]
On the Lege: January 2021
The 2021 Texas legislative session will be like no other. While the Capitol will be open, most members’ offices will be closed to visitors. As a result of COVID-19 precautions and out of concern for legislators, their staffs, and BikeTexas volunteers and staff, all of our legislative meetings this session will be virtual. That doesn’t […]
Election 2020: BikeTexas Endorsements
BikeTexas endorses the following propositions and candidates on the ballot this November. We endorse these propositions and bonds: Hays County Parks and Open Space Bond: this bond will help the Violet Crown Trail, increase park space, and help preserve the aquifer. Pflugerville Prop B: this ambitious bond election will fund expansion of parks and trails […]
Meet the #TTAT2020 Keynote Speakers
Ralph Buehler Associate Professor and Chair Urban Affairs & Planning, Virginia TechKeynote: Cycling for Everyone 11:00am, Oct 14 Liz Thomas Urban Hiker, American Long Distance Hiking Association -WestKeynote: Urban Hiking San Antonio: Highlights, Lessons, and Challenges 3:00pm, Oct 14 Rodney Ellis Commissioner, Precinct One, Harris CountyKeynote: Texas Bicycle Tourism Trails 11:00am, Oct 15 James Bass […]
#TTAT2020 Attendees: Log in to Whova Now
TTAT 2020 is about to start, and we’re excited to bring you a conference packed with expert speakers who are passionate about sharing best practices in trails and active transportation from across Texas and around the US. Since meeting face-to-face isn’t possible in 2020, we’ve moved the conference to the next best thing: the Whova […]
Election 2020: Important Dates to Remember
BikeTexas encourages all Texans to exercise their right to vote and make sure their voice is heard. Below are important dates for you to remember as Election Day gets closer. Make sure you’re registered, check with your County Clerk for a sample ballot and to find your polling place, and request any vote by mail […]
Inaugural Emancipation Trail Ride on June 14
The inaugural Emancipation Bike Ride on June 14 followed a 60-mile route from the Port of Galveston to Emancipation Park in Houston. The ride celebrated Juneteenth as well as the successful passage of a bill, sponsored by Congresswoman Shelia Jackson Lee, to name the route “The Emancipation Trail.” This is only the second National Historic […]
BikeTexas Endorses Robert Rose in City of Bryan Mayoral Election
BikeTexas endorses Robert Rose for Mayor of Bryan. Mr. Rose is the most likely of the mayoral candidates to implement the protected bike lane and complete streets networks in the City of Bryan. As a bike shop owner, he understands the needs of people who ride bikes, and we believe as mayor Mr. Rose will […]
Vote for Texas Parks on November 5
Early Voting is October 21-November 1 Parks funding in Texas is a struggle–but we already have a solution. Twenty-six years ago, the Texas Legislature provided for parks funding with a sales tax on sporting goods sales (including bicycles). Unfortunately, the money that should have been going toward parks has since often been rerouted for other […]
On the Lege: June 2019
Great news! Governor Abbot signed HB 2188 into law on Friday, June 7. The law goes into effect on September 1. Thank you, thank you, thank you for your calls and emails to your elected officials. You made a difference this legislative session! HB 2188 was authored by Rep John Frullo, co-authored by Rep Lyle […]
