Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Texas House Bill HCR64 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.

Old	New	Differences
1	1	86R6037 BPG-D
2	2	By: VanDeaver H.C.R. No. 64
3	3
4	4
5	5	CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
6	6	WHEREAS, The 2018 Texas Bicycle Tourism Trails Study
7	7	published by the Texas Department of Transportation identifies
8	8	numerous potential benefits of a statewide bicycle tourism trail
9	9	network; and
10	10	WHEREAS, In the study, TxDOT uses the term "bicycle tourism"
11	11	to describe a range of activities, from long-distance touring and
12	12	bike-packing to local day rides, urban cycling, and events such as
13	13	races; and
14	14	WHEREAS, The report found that well-designed and
15	15	well-constructed bicycle trails have a significant positive impact
16	16	on local economies; the cyclists who use them spend money on a wide
17	17	variety of products and services, and in states with such trails,
18	18	daily expenditures by cyclists on longer trips average $136 per
19	19	day; trails can serve as venues for bicycle events that draw
20	20	participants and their families from far and wide; moreover, many
21	21	studies conducted across the country have shown that bikeways are
22	22	prized amenities that raise nearby property values; and
23	23	WHEREAS, Bikeways were also found to promote the health and
24	24	well-being of users and the general public; these dedicated routes
25	25	not only create safe opportunities for exercise and stress
26	26	reduction, but also foster community interaction, mitigate urban
27	27	heat islands, and encourage preservation of natural habitats and
28	28	the environment; in addition, they raise national and international
29	29	awareness of the state's uniquely beautiful landscapes and of
30	30	neighboring historic and cultural sites; and
31	31	WHEREAS, The study recommends the development of pilot
32	32	projects to test large-scale implementation of bikeways; it
33	33	suggests prioritizing network segments using such characteristics
34	34	as accessibility to potential users and other transportation modes,
35	35	including airports and motor vehicle parking, and also by
36	36	considering proximity to existing bikeways, established bicycle
37	37	events, and such features as natural scenery, historic sites, and
38	38	state and national parks; and
39	39	WHEREAS, The Bicycle Tourism Trails Study presents a
40	40	compelling case for investing in a statewide network of bikeways in
41	41	order to recognize significant economic and social benefits; now,
42	42	therefore, be it
43	43	RESOLVED, That the 86th Legislature of the State of Texas
44	44	hereby encourage the Texas Department of Transportation to develop
45	45	and support bikeway network projects; and, be it further
46	46	RESOLVED, That the department leverage $8 to $80 million from
47	47	existing federal funds designated for non-motorized uses, such as
48	48	Transportation Alternative Program Funds, Transportation
49	49	Alternative Program Flex Funds, and successor programs, and
50	50	identify a state source for up to 20 percent of the total cost to
51	51	fund the projects; no more than 5 percent of the cost should be
52	52	obtained from local sources; and, be it further
53	53	RESOLVED, That the department give priority to
54	54	network-focused projects that include multiple municipal or county
55	55	jurisdictions; and, be it further
56	56	RESOLVED, That the projects prioritize the safety of all road
57	57	users and be suitable for users who are between the ages of 8 and 80;
58	58	and, be it further
59	59	RESOLVED, That official copies of this resolution be
60	60	forwarded to the chair of the Texas Transportation Commission and
61	61	to the executive director of the Texas Department of Transportation
62	62	as an expression of the sentiment of the members of the 86th Texas
63	63	Legislature.