SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 541
WHEREAS, BikeTexas was organized in 1991 to promote the
advancement of bicyclist and pedestrian access, safety, and
education in the Lone Star State; and
WHEREAS, Millions of Texans ride bicycles and walk for
transportation, fitness, and recreation each year; bicycling and
walking can be pursued at any age and have been identified by
public health professionals as activities that can greatly
reduce the cost of health care; and
WHEREAS, Bicycling benefits the economy as well, with
Texans spending nearly $400 million annually on bicycle-related
goods and services; in addition, bicycle races, tours, rallies,
and other events taking place throughout the state raise more
than $50 million annually for Texas charities; these events have
a positive financial impact on participating communities, as
each visiting participant spends an estimated $80 per day
locally; and
WHEREAS, Mountain bikers in the state play a beneficial
role in enhancing our parks and other public lands, contributing
thousands of volunteer hours each year toward the creation and
maintenance of multiuse trails and the care of the outdoor
environment; and
WHEREAS, The application of bicycle and pedestrian safety
standards to road design and construction and to traffic
regulations will make communities more bicycle-friendly and more
pedestrian-friendly and will encourage more people to engage in
these favorable outdoor activities; and
WHEREAS, In partnership with the Texas Department of
Transportation, the BikeTexas Safe Routes to School program has,
since October 2010, distributed over 1.2 million pieces of
bicyclist and pedestrian safety material to schoolchildren
across Texas, including over 90,000 pairs of safety lights; the
program has also, since 1998, trained over 7,000 Texas physical
education teachers, law enforcement officers, and other
professionals concerned about youth safety and wellness, who
have in turn taught bicycle and pedestrian safety to an estimated
two million Texas schoolchildren; and
WHEREAS, BikeTexas has been a national leader in the effort
to include funding for Safe Routes to School programs in federal
transportation bills, and Texas has received nearly $70 million
for its Safe Routes to School programs since 2005; and
WHEREAS, BikeTexas has worked with cities across Texas as
they implement bicycle and pedestrian programs such as bike
shares, sidewalks, bike lanes, cycle tracks, hike and bike
multiuse trails, and bicycle racks on local buses; and
WHEREAS, For nearly two decades, with support from over
30,000 Texans, BikeTexas has worked to enhance the safety of
Texas roadways for cyclists, pedestrians, and other unprotected
road users, and the organization has helped 13 Texas cities,
large and small, to adopt safe passing ordinances to protect such
road users; it is indeed fitting to recognize this outstanding
organization; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 83rd
Legislature, hereby commend BikeTexas for its hard work and
dedication to promoting bicycle safety and extend to its board of
directors, staff members, and volunteers sincere best wishes for
continued success; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
BikeTexas as an expression of high regard from the Texas Senate.
Ellis
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President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on March 25, 2013.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate