Anybody in state Rep Mike Villareal's district? He's the only coauthor still in the state Legislature of the bill that got electric bicycles protection from being banned from any roadway primarily used by motor vehicles. (TC551.106(a)) Unfortunately, the protection on nonelectric bicycles isn't so clearly stated; the Transportation Code grants "all rights and duties" of any other vehicle, (TC551.102) but then the Local Government Code permits cities to ban bicycles from roadways at their discretion. (LGC217.003(c))

Since the state defines an electric bicycle in part as unable to “attain a speed of more than 20 miles per hour without the application of human power,” (TC541.201) one cannot assume they felt that an electric bike would be better able to keep up with traffic. As such, I'd really like to get Villareal's input as to why they only extend this explicit protection to electrics, and not all bicycles.

Did they feel that "all rights and duties" was enough, in spite of the LGC specifically allowing municipalities to ban bicycles? Did they just overlook the lack of equal protection for nonelectric bicycles? Were only the e-bike lobbyists throwing enough money at them?

Unfortunately, not being in his district, I haven't gotten a reply from him yet. I have enlisted my Rep to ask him as well, but it would be even more helpful if a few people in his own district could raise the question and push to get a bill ready for the 2011 session to extend this protection to all bicycles.

Heck, even if you're not in his district, write to your state Rep and Senator to ask for such a bill in the upcoming session. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/