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Quick Links

Important/Popular stuff: Media Contacts for cycling issues Traffic Laws  |  Helmet Law Routes & Maps Local bike shops & Frankenbike Austin a Top 10 cycling city? Not! Report roadway & sidewalk problems APD's Collision Database

Local Advocacy: League of Bicycling Voters Bicycle Advisory Council Austin Cycling Association   (mostly sports/rec, but some advocacy) Yellow Bike Project   (teaches kids & adults how to fix bikes) BikeNotes

State & National Advocacy: Texas Bicycle Coalition   (works for safe cycling) League of American Bicyclists   (national) Bikes Belong    (national; works to increase cycling)

Local Bike & Transpo blogs: Austin on Two Wheels by Elliott Austin Texas Bike Stuff by Jason Austin Cycling News by Adriel M1EK's Bake Sale of Bile M. Dahmus

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Texas Legislation

Traffic Laws

Austin & Texas (summary)

Austin (detailed)

Texas, Bikes (detailed)

Texas, Motorists (detailed)

Helmet Laws

Cyclists' right to the road handout

The Texas Legislature meets every two years (odd-numbered years), to revise existing laws and create new ones. You can track proposed legislation on the Texas Legislature website.

Two laws affecting cyclists were proposed in the last session, but both failed:

1. Helmet Law for Children (HB 673).
   This law would have made it a crime for kids to not wear helmets. (more info on this bill)
   
   
2. Canceling "Rails to Trails" projects (HB 1886)
   If this had been passed, all Rails to Trails railbanking will be cancelled in Texas. This would have meant no more Rails to Trails conversions. All abandoned railways would have reverted to the adjacent landowners and not be available for conversion.
   
   

What you can do about proposed bills

Call or write your elected leaders to express your support or opposition. (Here's a link which lets you find out who represents you.)

For more information, contact the Texas Bicycle Coalition.