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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.
Comments
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By Doohickie
June 26, 2009 11:36 PM | Link to this
Maybe we should look at different approaches. Everyone says education is needed, but no one can figure out who should be educated, what they should be taught, and how to pay for it. Here is one suggestion:
You know that 6-hour course people take to get their traffic tickets dismissed? Mandate one hour out of the six be used for education about bicycles as vehicles on the road. If the ticket had anything to do with a bicycle, have the course be 4 of the 6 hours about bikes.
Summary: Who gets the education? Drivers and cyclists who get tickets. Who pays for it? They pay for it themselves. What should they learn? How cyclists and cars can peacefully coexist on the roads without anyone getting hurt.
This would cost less money and be more effective in improving cyclist safety than the 3-foot passing law which is redundant with existing laws regarding endangering others.