The 84th Texas Legislative session began Tuesday, January 13! If you aren’t a legislator or full-time lobbyist, you may be wondering what you can do to help cycling in Texas this session. Legislators and their staff become very busy as the session progresses, even to the point of exhaustion in the final weeks of the […]
BikeNews; Advocacy
What Can I Do? Tips for the Legislative Session
Preview of the BikeTexas Agenda for the 83rd Legislative Session
BikeTexas staff seeks to build strong relationships of trust and dialogue with Texas Legislators in order to promote cyclist- and pedestrian-friendly legislation. This effort does not stop with the end of the session. BikeTexas staff has been working constantly since the end of the 2011 Texas Legislative Session to establish and further expand these critical […]
On the Lege: Texting While Driving Ban
Motorists who text while driving pose a high risk to bicyclists, pedestrians, and all other road users in addition to themselves. The degree of this risk has become apparent through a series of fatal crashes in Texas. BikeTexas strongly supports a ban on texting while driving as an important part of a strong traffic safety […]
On the Lege: Red Rear Light Requirement
The Red Rear Light bill requires a rear red light from 30 minutes before sunset until 30 minutes after sunrise. The current law requires a front white light and a rear red light or rear reflector. Lights at night greatly increase visibility of cyclists to motorists. A BikeTexas review of 317 Texas DPS bicyclist fatality records […]
On the Lege: Safe Passing
The Safe Passing Bill will require at least three feet passing distance (six feet by commercial vehicle) when a motorist passes a vulnerable road user. It also addresses the “right hook” (turning dangerously in front of a vulnerable road user) and failing to yield when making a left turn at an intersection. A violation of […]
On the Lege: Complete Streets
Complete Streets legislation ensures that construction and reconstruction projects using federal or state funding will result in roadways that safely accommodate all users and are comfortable for walking, bicycling, and transit use. This provision can reduce traffic-related crashes and mitigate congestion. Complete Streets promote active transportation to improve the health of individuals and the quality […]
“It’s bigger than a ride” – The Unpredictability of the Texas Legislature and Events at the Capitol
It’s fantastic to have local advocates on the ground all working toward the same global mission. Unfortunately, sometimes those very efforts can have implications on work already in progress. BikeTexas has over 20 years’ experience lobbying in the state Legislature. Over these years, relationships have been nurtured and networks have been formed, leading to progress […]
Election Bond Results Across Texas
We asked you to vote and the results are in! Austin Props 12-18 Over 230,000 people voted on Austin’s 18 bonds that were on the ballot. Propositions 12-18, promoted by the non-profit LoveATX and supported by BikeTexas, passed overwhelmingly with the exception of Proposition 15. This proposition for more affordable housing lost by less than […]
Transportation Experts Speak in San Marcos
On October 25, transportation advocates from around the area gathered at Texas State University for the “Great Streets in Small Towns” symposium. Dr. Billy Fields, a professor of political science at Texas State, served as moderator for the evening. San Marcos City Councilmember John Thomaides spoke about the inititatives to make San Marcos more bicycle-friendly, including […]
Help BikeTexas Get Ready for the 2013 Legislative Session
My heart is heavy today. In the past two months, we’ve seen one cyclist death after another in Texas. Cyclists like Iris Stagner, who was a BikeTexas board member, a commuter, a racer, and a personal friend. Iris lobbied for Share the Road signs in Palo Pinto County and made a trip to the Texas […]
Rails-to-Trails Funding Expert Speaks in San Antonio
The last U.S. Congress was openly hostile to biking and walking, and the new Federal Transportation Bill, called MAP-21, shows that hostility through elimination of Safe Routes to School and Transportation Enhancements programs. These have been rolled into a new program, Transportation Alternatives, with non-bike programs such as highway beautification added to eligible uses of […]
BikeTexas Attends Interbike
Interbike is a place to meet new friends, network with other bicycle professionals, try new products, form new partnerships, and visit with old friends. The conference had two days for the outdoor demo, where attendees could try all the new bikes and equipment coming out for 2013, and three days of main Interbike show, where […]
Vote the Whole Ballot
BikeTexas urges all Texans to go to the polls, either in early voting (Oct 22-Nov 2) or on Election Day (Nov 6). We also want to remind all Texans that some items on the ballot appear on later pages of the electronic tablet. Selecting a straight party ticket does not fill in a choice for […]
Texas APA Conference Full of Biking and Walking
The Texas Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA Texas) held its annual conference in Fort Worth on October 3-6, 2012. BikeTexas was an Annual Sponsor of this year’s event, with an in-kind donation of bicycles for the mobile workshop “Fort Worth Bike and Pedestrian Planning.” The workshop was led by Julia McCleeary, AICP, City […]
National and Local Transportation Experts Speaking in San Antonio and San Marcos
On October 24, BikeTexas, Rails to Trails Conservancy, Texas State University, VIA Metropolitan Transit, San Antonio Office of Sustainability, and the San Antonio-Bexar County MPO are co-hosting Tracy Hadden Loh from Washington, DC to speak about “Federal Bicycle Transportation Funding: What It Means for Texas.” Who: Tracy Hadden Loh, Rails to Trails Conservancy Research Manager […]
BikeTexas Annual Membership Meeting 2012
The BikeTexas Annual Membership Meeting is almost upon us! Next Saturday, September 29, we’ll be gathering at the JW Marriott Hill Country Resort at 3 PM following the inaugural eRock the Ride. Texas State Senator Rodney Ellis will be joining the ride and speaking at the meeting. If you’d like to attend the meeting, but can’t […]
BikeTexas Needs Your Help!
Do you have a few extra minutes for bicycle advocacy? Do you want to help BikeTexas as we get ready for the next legislative session? Great! BikeTexas needs volunteers for mission critical data entry as we near the 2013 Legislative session. We have gathered Complete Streets Petition signatures at events throughout Texas. Now, we need […]
Inaugural eRock the Ride Benefits BikeTexas
Join BikeTexas for the inaugural eRock the Ride Bike Tour Benefit that truly celebrates Texas cycling in a gorgeous setting this weekend, September 29th! Register NOW! WHAT: eRock the Ride Bike TourWHERE: JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort and SpaWHEN: Saturday, September 29, 2012 ~ 7:30 amHOW: Choose your distance! Enchanted Rock Century 100 […]
Alliance for Biking and Walking 2012 Leadership Retreat
The Queen Mary Hotel, a 1936 ocean liner in Long Beach, CA, was the destination for a couple of BikeTexas staff and the over 100 others who attended the Alliance for Biking & Walking’s 2012 Leadership Retreat. Since 1996, The Alliance has held a retreat for bicycle and pedestrian advocacy leaders every other year. The goal […]
Trail Funding Saved in Texas
As you may know, under the new federal transportation bill, MAP-21, bicycle and pedestrian projects now have more competition for less money than was available under previous transportation laws. The new bill also gives state officials more latitude in designating funds, and– most importantly– in deciding whether some funds are distributed to alternative transportation at […]