TITLE: Commending BikeTexas for promoting bicycle safety.

SUMMARY: Commending BikeTexas for promoting bicycle safety.

FULL TEXT:
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 President of the Senate I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on March 25, 2013.