Texas - New support for SB488-Safe Passing for Texas

I found this to be of interest. Maybe this time it will come to pass.

Those of you in Houston area may already be aware.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/breaking/6562286.html

It is not new support, as she was one of the sponsors of the bill this time.

Perhaps she will be more adamant about its passage. As I understand, 168 legislators supported it.

Her granddaughter, Bethany Harper, 16, along with three friends and Bethany's father, Timothy Harper, were cycling near Kaufman Tuesday evening when a motorist turned into two of the cyclists, whom the driver said she did not see, according to the state legislator.

Her granddaughter suffered cuts, bruises and contusions, and a friend had a shoulder separation, Harper-Brown said. Both of their bicycles were ruined.

“The first thing that went through my mind was, had this bill become law maybe people would be more aware and a little more careful when they are driving around bicyclists,” Harper-Brown said.


If you don't see a cyclist, how can you be more careful when driving around them?

Its pretty silly to infer that had this bill become law the accident involving her loved ones may have been prevented.

Glad the cyclists were not critically injured and hope they recover soon. I'd be curious to know if the driver was cited under current law and if the driver who caused the accident is liable for the cost of the bikes and medical costs of the injured parties. The article failed to mention these pieces of information.

Perhaps she will be more adamant about its passage. As I understand, 168 legislators supported it.

It passed unopposed in the Senate, and only 5 (I think) nays in the House. It was essentially veto proof, had the legislation session still been open when Gov Goodhair wielded his magic pen.

I personally think that it was a dirty trick to hold the bill until the session had expired then veto it.

Wish the comments could be more original.:p

Is it the constant breathing of carbon monoxide? Yeah, I concede there are azhat cyclists. Not as many as there are azhat brain dead drivers it seems.

If you don't see a cyclist, how can you be more careful when driving around them?

Its pretty silly to infer that had this bill become law the accident involving her loved ones may have been prevented.

.

It's not silly to make the inference that she did.

I spent several days in Tennessee on our tandem last June. Not a single driver honked, buzzed, or failed to yield to us.

The reason? I think they are much, much more aware in the Knoxville area because of the 3 foot law and what happened to bring it about. At least, that's what all the natives said.

One of the reasons behind their law.

http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2008/jul/01/prison-awaits-man-who-killed-cyclist/

http://www.tennessee3feet.org/

I think I rather like these.. Maybe TX can make some similar when the bill finally passes.

http://www.harpethbikeclub.com/images/stories/tnplate.png

Teeleton

^^^ Oooo, nice plate.


It's not silly to make the inference that she did.

I spent several days in Tennessee on our tandem last June. Not a single driver honked, buzzed, or failed to yield to us.

Let me see if I can make myself more clear. If the driver doesn't see a cyclist, they don't see them, and no law is going to prevent that type of accident. Just like if a driver doesn't see a pedestrian, other motorist, etc. (blind spot, what have you) and they get hit. That's why they're called accidents. That's why I said Its pretty silly to infer that had this bill become law the accident involving her loved ones may have been prevented. Don't tell me "the driver may have been more aware and been on a more vigilant look out for bicycles had the law passed, thereby preventing this accident from happening in the first place." That's some fairy-tale thinking, if you ask me.

As for your experience with your tandem in TN, tandems are much more visible, and I've found the general public reacts much more favorably to a tandem than a single bike. As for honking, buzzing, failing to yield, it depends on who has more rednecks, TN or TX, not the laws in each state.

I'm not opposed to the 3-foot law at all; I just don't think this bill/law is going to make anyone's attitude more favorable toward cyclists. Heck, pass the 3-foot law, and besides just the honking, some asshats will probably swerve toward a cyclist that is to the far right of a wide shoulder, crossing the road line, just to get within three feet of them because it is their right to do so. That experience would not make me feel any safer.

^^^ Oooo, nice plate.



Let me see if I can make myself more clear. If the driver doesn't see a cyclist, they don't see them, and no law is going to prevent that type of accident. Just like if a driver doesn't see a pedestrian, other motorist, etc. (blind spot, what have you) and they get hit. That's why they're called accidents. That's why I said Its pretty silly to infer that had this bill become law the accident involving her loved ones may have been prevented. Don't tell me "the driver may have been more aware and been on a more vigilant look out for bicycles had the law passed, thereby preventing this accident from happening in the first place." That's some fairy-tale thinking, if you ask me.

As for your experience with your tandem in TN, tandems are much more visible, and I've found the general public reacts much more favorably to a tandem than a single bike. As for honking, buzzing, failing to yield, it depends on who has more rednecks, TN or TX, not the laws in each state.

I'm not opposed to the 3-foot law at all; I just don't think this bill/law is going to make anyone's attitude more favorable toward cyclists. Heck, pass the 3-foot law, and besides just the honking, some asshats will probably swerve toward a cyclist that is to the far right of a wide shoulder, crossing the road line, just to get within three feet of them because it is their right to do so. That experience would not make me feel any safer.
Wow, I really like that plate too.

I lol'd at your comment about "swerving at you just to prove they could"...that's EXACTLY what would happen both here in Houston, and in the panhandle of Florida, where I lived before here.

^^^ as it is now sometimes I get startled when they honk and happen to be passing me at the same time, sometimes it doesn't even phase me (like the guy in a Jeep last ride whose horn was so whimpy sounding it made me laugh). But if they come within 3 feet of me going 60-70 mph on a country road AND blare the horn, I'll probably mess myself or end up in the ditch, or both.

If you don't see a cyclist, how can you be more careful when driving around them?

Its pretty silly to infer that had this bill become law the accident involving her loved ones may have been prevented.

Glad the cyclists were not critically injured and hope they recover soon. I'd be curious to know if the driver was cited under current law and if the driver who caused the accident is liable for the cost of the bikes and medical costs of the injured parties. The article failed to mention these pieces of information.

We obviously have a difference of opinion. Whatever.

Thanks for the heads up! I live here, this is the 1st I have heard of this.
Also, should anyone have missed signing the petition, the link can be found at BikeTexas.org (http://www.biketexas.org/component/option,com_philaform/form_id,32/Itemid,1/) . 4,100 signatures and counting.....