Home > Road Rash > Archives > 2009 > June > 26
Friday, June 26, 2009
Let’s begin again on the Safe Passing Bill
From our friends at the Texas Bicycle Coalition. …
Sign the Safe Passing Petition!
Dear fellow Texas cyclists,
As you know, last week Governor Perry vetoed the Safe Passing Bill (SB 488). This bill would have made Texas roads safer by requiring motorists to give three feet clearance when passing a cyclist or other vulnerable road user. We are deeply disappointed in the Governor’s decision.
Preparation for the next legislative session starts the day after the close of the last session. In addition to our ongoing work in statewide children’s bike safety education and Congressional lobbying for bike infrastructure funding in the upcoming 2010 Federal Transportation Bill, we are already building the foundation for the 2011 Texas Legislature.
What you can do: There are several ways you can show your support for Safe Passing in Texas!
Sign the Petition! Cyclists and other concerned Texans can register their support by signing the attached petition. We will use this petition to further build our relationship with a broad range of Legislators and other public officials.
Forward this email! Send this email to friends and relatives, including those who walk, run or work on Texas roadways. Urge them to sign as well.
Gather Signatures! Go to www.BikeTexas.org/petition and download a PDF petition form.
Link to the petition! Go to the www.BikeTexas.org/petition and download a “Sign the Petition” button for your website, or the website of your bike club or shop, then link it to the petition page.
Write a letter! Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper expressing why you disagree with the Governor’s veto. Some points you could include: Over 1000 vulnerable road users were killed last year, and this bill could have saved lives. A personal story about a time a motorist passed you unsafely. The health and environmental benefits of cycling and how increased safety encourages more people to ride.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Post your comment
Team Type 1 delivers messsage of hope
Don’t ever let anyone discourage you from achieving your goals because of diabetes. That’s the main message from Joe Eldridge, co-founder of Team Type 1, a team of amateur and professional cyclists living with type 1 diabetes.
Eldridge delivered his words at Camp Bluebonnet on Friday in Killeen. Bluebonnet is a day camp for children with diabetes. His inspirational message isn’t simply an encouraging pep talk from your average guy off the street. He has the experience and accomplishments to back it up.
Eldridge competed in Race Across America in 2006 and 2007. RAAM is one of the most grueling and longest running annual endurance events in the world. It starts in Oceanside, Calif. and ends 3,052 miles later in Annapolis, Md. It is 30% longer than the Tour de France and there are no rest days.
“I basically wanted to have something monumental to talk to people about,” said Eldridge. “When you tell someone your rode a bike across the country in five days, it’s pretty impressive. I just want people with diabetes to know what’s achievable if you manage your disease.”
Recently, Team Type 1 just broke the team record in the eight-team competition RAAM by finishing in 5 days, 9 hours and 5 minutes.
The kids at Camp Bluebonnet were impressed, says Eldridge. “All those kids were pumped up that we won. All the guys who raced in RAAM have diabetes. It just gives people hope that having diabetes shouldn’t stop you from doing anything in life.”
In 2009, Team Type 1 is expanding its roster and fielding five athletic teams: a men’s and women’s pro cycling team, both featuring a mixed roster of riders with and without type 1 diabetes; an elite cycling team for the 2009 RAAM comprised entirely of riders with type 1 diabetes and a triathlon team whose members all have type 1 diabetes. In addition to its type 1 roster in 2009, Team Type 1 will also launch Team Type 2, an amateur cycling team featuring riders with 2 diabetes.
With its expansion in support and teams, expect the inspiration of these riders to touch even more lives of those with diabetes.
Check out the guys in action during a quick decent on a training ride before the 2009 Race Across America.
