Advocacy & Safety - Read this if you want your blood to boil:

I live in the fine city of Houston, Texas. We are home to one of the worst journalist outfits I have ever had the displeasure to deal with and that is The Houston Chronicle. Anyway today they ran a story on governor Perry vetoing the bill that would make it law to give cyclists at least three feet of room despite overwhelming senate and house support. Here's the story:



AUSTIN — Texas cyclists have turned their wrath toward Gov. Rick Perry into a petition drive asking voters to keep him in mind during the election — and not in a good way.

They want Perry to pay for his veto of a bill promoting safety for cyclists and others categorized as “vulnerable road users.”

Perry's veto last month was particularly puzzling because there was no formal opposition to SB 488, which passed the House 142-0 and 26-5 in the Senate.

Also, roughly 94 percent of more than 1,000 phone calls, e-mails and letters to Perry's office supported the measure.

“There has been an overwhelming community roar from Democrats and Republicans that used to call themselves Perry supporters,” said Leslie Luciano, who filed an open records request with Perry's office to obtain the correspondence.

“He underestimated the power of this community at a time when he should be grabbing any support he can as he heads to a close primary race,” said Luciano, community relations manager and advocacy coordinator for Austin's largest bicycle shop.

Perry faces U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, in the GOP gubernatorial primary next year.

Perry's office defends the veto, contending that protections in the proposed bill were unnecessary.

“Operators of a motor vehicle are already subject to penalties when he or she is at fault for causing a collision or operating recklessly, whether it is against a ‘vulnerable user' or not,” Perry spokeswoman Allison Castle said.

Nearly 3,000 Texans have signed the petition.

The bill would have required motorists to give cyclists and others, including pedestrians, runners, motorcyclists, construction and maintenance workers, at least 3 feet clearance when they pass.

Drivers of commercial vehicles would have had to stay at least 6 feet away. Violators could have faced a fine of $500 or a Class B misdemeanor in the case of injury.
Bipartisan support

Some Texans who encouraged Perry to veto the bill complained it would be impractical on two-lane roads. The bill applied only to roads with at least two lanes in the same direction.

SB 488 was written by two Republican prosecutors and had the support of law enforcement, Stallings said. The bill also had bipartisan support with Rep. Linda Harper-Brown, R-Irving, carrying in the House and Sen. Rodney Ellis, D-Houston in the Senate.

“This bill had wide popular support and very little opposition,” Ellis said. “Simply put, there was no good reason to oppose it, and the governor made a mistake in vetoing it. ”

Cyclists plan to collect more than 10,000 petition signatures and would call it off only with some dramatic gesture on Perry's part.

“He would have to sit down and talk to us and come up with an actionable vision for bicycling — something that we should do and improve and make Texas a better place, a more inviting place, a safer place for cyclists,” said Robin Stallings, executive director of Bike Texas, an advocacy group that promotes bicycle access, safety and education.
Veto encouraged

Some Texans wanted Perry to veto the measure.

“You will have radical bikers taking license numbers of cars and reporting them because they thought they passed too close,” Kenneth Bain of Duncanville wrote Perry. “If you sign this bill you are letting a small minority rule the voting masses and it will not sit well at election time.”

Herman May of Garland told Perry in an e-mail: “Ignore the din of the uninformed masses. Stay the course and veto this bill knowing you have the support of lawful, competent vehicular cyclists.”


Now this story is nothing special, but the comments are what will really get you going. :twitchy: You can read them all here:
http://www.chron.com/disp/discuss.mpl/breaking/6529436.html?p=1

I've quoted a couple of choice ones for your displeasure:



I agree with the Gov on this one... How can you safely keep 3 or 6 feet away from a cyclist on a public road?? How about cracking down on the behavior of the people riding down the road?????????????????




I was not aware of this bill and I'm am SO GLAD he vetoed it. It would have been complete crap. I can't count the number of bicyclists who ride down the middle of their lane (quite PROPERLY I would add) as the "vehicles" they are, and then roll through the red lights because "they're not really vehicles after all." Like most liberals, they want more than their share of rights, and few if any responsibilities.




i like how cyclist want all these rights, specially when there is a side walk and there riding in the middle of the F#### street.........get a car or stop *****in!

Texas must have a low blood boiling point. Maybe the elevation?

Didn't the bill pass with a veto proof majority? What does it take to override a veto in Texas?

Out of the 3 comments you quoted, I can't really argue with the middle one.
This is why I RARELY run a red light, at least if there's other cars around.
We ***** and moan about our rights, and then take advantage of them by running lights?

That said, I've been calling it TEX-ASS ever since I moved here in '98. :notamused:

Age old debate. Ignorant drivers, righteous riders. Take whatever side you want, but at crunch time, the multi-ton vehicle wins.

Entrepreneurs have tried to sell jerseys with "Share the Road-It's the Law" on the back, and bicyclists don't buy them. Go figure.

Entrepreneurs have tried to sell jerseys with "Share the Road-It's the Law" on the back, and bicyclists don't buy them. Go figure.

You want a bullseye on your back?

This bill was a moot point. There is already plenty of legislation of the books protecting cyclists that people are unaware of and goes completely unenforced. Lobbyists waste so much time on "new", unnecessary legislation, but let's focus on enforcing the laws we already have and educating both cyclists and drivers instead of more legislation. Something tells me even if this did pass, drivers would be ignorant and most cyclists would continue to ride irresponsibly.

I get 2 feet, you get 4.

Houston is a suck ass place to ride unfortunately. Houston is not friendly compared to most of the rest of Texas.

I think it's a stupid law. what are you suposed to carry a yard stick with you now every where you go. Not only thta but it's not enforcible so it's just plain stupid. however it's not stupid becasue of why the Govnr thinks, he sounds like a jerk. Fortunately for us most drivers on the road give us respect those that don't will continue to do so or even be more spiteful if the law was enacted.

Didn't the bill pass with a veto proof majority? What does it take to override a veto in Texas?

They could override the veto if they were still in session, but the legislative session has ended. Truth be told, I don't think this would have made one bit of difference to my ride safety. I ride probably 80% VC and 20% scofflaw (basically follow the rules of the road; any exceptions I make are only when they don't violate anyone else's right of way). I wave a lot of at motorists, and when I do have to slow them up, I make a point of getting out of the way as soon as possible and waving them around when space permits.

I've mentioned this to a few people, including the head of BikeTexas: Instead of requesting redundant laws, how about lobbying to include some cycling traffic law education in the 6 hour course people can take in Texas to get a ticket dismissed? I think that would make a bigger positive impact on my safety, and it would be targeted to road users who have self-selected themselves as not properly following traffic law. Also, they pay for the education themselves. Maybe one hour out of the six could be devoted to cycle traffic law, unless the ticket the person received was involved a bicycle, and then the majority of the time could be devoted to cycle traffic law, vehicular cycling, and bicycle accident avoidance.

This seems much more sensible than the safe passage bill that was vetoed. The kinds of people I worry about, the ignorant, the inattentive and the malicious, would not be deterred by the bill had it become law. Those are the people I worry about. They are also the most likely to get tickets in general, so they would target themselves for a little re-education with respect to cyclists under my proposal.

a&s

I've mentioned this to a few people, including the head of BikeTexas: Instead of requesting redundant laws, how about lobbying to include some cycling traffic law education in the 6 hour course people can take in Texas to get a ticket dismissed? I think that would make a bigger positive impact on my safety, and it would be targeted to road users who have self-selected themselves as not properly following traffic law. Also, they pay for the education themselves. Maybe one hour out of the six could be devoted to cycle traffic law, unless the ticket the person received was involved a bicycle, and then the majority of the time could be devoted to cycle traffic law, vehicular cycling, and bicycle accident avoidance.


This is exactly what we need more of!

Houston is a suck ass place to ride unfortunately. Houston is not friendly compared to most of the rest of Texas.

The times I've been through Houston I didn't feel safe driving my car.

Out of the 3 comments you quoted, I can't really argue with the middle one.
This is why I RARELY run a red light, at least if there's other cars around.
We ***** and moan about our rights, and then take advantage of them by running lights?

That said, I've been calling it TEX-ASS ever since I moved here in '98. :notamused:

I totally agree

a&s

You forgot to mention using the search engine. When are they going to ban your predictable behind indefinitely? Do you tell your clients that you're billing them for all the research you're doing on BF?

I have not read the bill, but I have been told that it was loaded with pork and that was why it was not passed. I was also told that it said we could not ride side by side.

I would not sign a petition if I had not read the bill 1st.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v223/botto/boring_old_fart.jpg

OK. That was funny! Carry on.

a&s

+1 and who cares?

Pretty typical neanderthal responses from Texas goobers who don't have a clue or any respect for their fellow travellers...

BTW - I cycle regularly in Spring and The Woodlands and only occassionally have difficulties with drivers... I signal turns and lane changes and only roll a stop if there is NO other traffic of any kind present. My movement in traffic is better signalled and more disciplined than that of almost every driver I encounter.

Rick Perry is a dope and people in Texas are surprised? That may explain a lot....

I have not read the bill, but I have been told that it was loaded with pork and that was why it was not passed.

It passed overwhelmingly. Out of the 173 TX state congressmen, only 5 voted against it...
I really don't care what the bill said, it usually is political suicide to go against the will of 97% of the population.

97% of people might vote for no taxes for the year too, doesn't mean it should pass.

Oh and how about a move to A&S mods

i'm glad botto is still around.

a&s

+2. Don't give crazy people keyboards but if you do at least make them live in A&S.

It passed overwhelmingly. Out of the 173 TX state congressmen, only 5 voted against it...
I really don't care what the bill said, it usually is political suicide to go against the will of 97% of the population.

Not 97% of the population...97% of other politicians...many of whom may have been republicans that voted FOR it, to look "pro-fitness" even though they knew people in Suburbans were against it simply because they knew the Gov would veto it.

Not 97% of the population...97% of other politicians...many of whom may have been republicans that voted FOR it, to look "pro-fitness" even though they knew people in Suburbans were against it simply because they knew the Gov would veto it.Governor Goodhair is a lame duck anyway. He doesn't have to worry about p***ing off the voters anymore.

Not 97% of the population...97% of other politicians...many of whom may have been republicans that voted FOR it, to look "pro-fitness" even though they knew people in Suburbans were against it simply because they knew the Gov would veto it.

Is there a "pro-fitness" lobby or movement in Texes? :confused:

97% of people might vote for no taxes for the year too, doesn't mean it should pass.

Oh and how about a move to A&S mods

actually, it does. that's a democracy.

Hmmmm....I see stats, the words "govenor" and "state" and "law" and "democracy"...please send the crazies back to A&S.

Texas must have a low blood boiling point. Maybe the elevation?

would you like to reconsider your logic on this?

Not 97% of the population...97% of other politicians...

But representatives are there to represent the will of the populace. Thus, what a representative votes for and against is exactly what his voters want. Meaning is 97% of congress vote one way, 97% of people want it that way.

Not true. The republican majority re-zoned the state a few years ago to ensure that they would keep their majority regardless of the wishes of the people.

This is like saying that because Congress overwhelmingly supported attacking Iraq that the public overwhelmingly wanted to go to war with Iraq. Just plain not true.

That should get this one moved...not sure if to A+S though

After reading some of the comments, I'm glad i don't live in Texas.

would you like to reconsider your logic on this?

I'm pretty sure there is no need for logic in this thread.

a&s

correct

Houston is a suck ass place to ride unfortunately. Houston is not friendly compared to most of the rest of Texas.

True. I've seen large group rides around Rice U in downtown Houston. They're big enough to be (probably) safe but otherwise..... I wouldn't ride in Houston.


The times I've been through Houston I didn't feel safe driving my car.

I hear you.

OK just having returned from TX and having gotten in a few good rides I found the drivers where I rode to be very considerate. My home of Fla does have a 3 foot rule and I have more trouble here. However, as stated above I wouldn't walk a bike down a street in Houston.




:beer:

http://img394.imageshack.us/img394/8227/facepalm2kx3.jpg

Texas must have a low blood boiling point. Maybe the elevation?

seriously.

"politicians fail to pass law that police would fail to enforce anyway" is not blood-boiling material.

BTW, the facepalm is for the overreaction more than laws that again, will not be enforced as they cannot be proved. Speed Limits can be enforced easily with RADAR and LIDAR but how will they know if a car gave you three feet?

I guess none of you went to high school. The lower the elevation (the higher the atmospheric pressure) and the higher the boiling point. This is why boiling water isn't adequate to sterilize it when camping above a certain elevation. As the water boils at a lower temperature, it never gets hot enough to kill all the nasty bacteria before being converted to vapor.

I don't like to drive in Houston much less ride. There are few places I've been in the US with crappier drivers - and that's up against some damned stiff competition...

All things considered, what did you expect from Perry or the Chronicle readers? Perry is a wholly owned subsidiary of big oil...

Didn't the bill pass with a veto proof majority? What does it take to override a veto in Texas?

Doesn't help much if the Guv vetoes the bill after the Legislature has adjourned sine die...

I was not aware of this bill and I'm am SO GLAD he vetoed it. It would have been complete crap. I can't count the number of bicyclists who ride down the middle of their lane (quite PROPERLY I would add) as the "vehicles" they are, and then roll through the red lights because "they're not really vehicles after all." Like most liberals, they want more than their share of rights, and few if any responsibilities.


I get a kick out of people assuming that cyclists are liberals. I know some that are border line fascists.

This bill was a moot point. There is already plenty of legislation of the books protecting cyclists that people are unaware of and goes completely unenforced. Lobbyists waste so much time on "new", unnecessary legislation, but let's focus on enforcing the laws we already have and educating both cyclists and drivers instead of more legislation. Something tells me even if this did pass, drivers would be ignorant and most cyclists would continue to ride irresponsibly.

True. Passing legislation often seems to be a substitute for making real change.

What do you expect? I bike a lot and rarely drive, and it boils my blood when I see bikes blowing stop signs, or the stop lights that work perfectly for a bike in my town.

No wonder they hate us, sometimes I hate us. Until some of you idiots grow up and start paying attention to how you act on the road this is what you get.

I have not read the bill, but I have been told that it was loaded with pork and that was why it was not passed. I was also told that it said we could not ride side by side.

I would not sign a petition if I had not read the bill 1st.

If you would like to read the final bill, it has been posted on these forums HERE (http://www.bikeforums.net/showpost.php?p=9147427&postcount=4).

SB 488 is a monstrous bill. It has been promoted by "bicycle advocates" as a big make the world safe for cyclists law without ever quoting the bill. It is clear that that doing so would have diminished support for it, not strengthened it.

Even a glance at it reveals that it is mostly re-stating existing statutes that are not being enforced. It is pure silliness to think new laws would see any better enforcement.

But it is particularly bad for cyclists. As of yet, cyclists have all the rights and duties of drivers of vehicles in Texas. (*)This bill would have lumped cyclists into the same category as toy operators for the first time. How could that have a good outcome?

Language allowing vehicles to ignore a safe passing distance if they are in a separate lane would allow a motor vehicle to overtake a cyclist within inches if he were in a bike lane. How cool is that?

Cyclists in Texas should be glad this bill was vetoed.

We need wiser "bicycle advocates".

We need current laws enforced.

* Section 551.101 RIGHTS AND DUTIES.

(a) A person operating a bicycle has the rights and duties applicable to a driver operating a vehicle under this subtitle, unless:
(1) a provision of this chapter alters a right or duty; or
(2) a right or duty applicable to a driver operating a vehicle cannot by its nature apply to a person operating a bicycle.