Fwd: BIKE: New Texas helmet law

[Michael Bluejay]

The reply from Robin Stallings of TBC, and my response.

For the record, I'd consider supporting mandatory *training* for kids 
in bike safety, since that could actually prevent their getting hit, 
and also increase safety for other road users.  But helmets -- 
especially forced helmets -- do neither.  Of course, the training would 
have to be super-easy to get (such as at their regular school, during 
school hours).

-MBJ-


Begin forwarded message:

> From: Michael Bluejay <bikes>
> Date: January 3, 2005 11:51:31 AM CST
> To: "Robin Stallings" <robin>
> Cc: bikes, "<hill>" 
> <hill>
> Subject: Re: BIKE: New Texas helmet law
>
> Thanks for the reply.  A couple of things trouble me.  One is that you 
> say that you're "committed to increased helmet use" but don't really 
> explain whether that means you would support *legislation* mandating 
> it, and under what circumstances.  Certainly the author of the failed 
> bill was also "committed to increased helmet use".  I believe that 
> wanting people to wear helmets, and wanting to *force* people to wear 
> helmets, are two completely different things.
>
> The other thing that troubles me is that this is the first I've heard 
> from TBC about the issue.  Nothing was ever posted to the 
> BicycleAustin forum list about this, so far as I know.  I know you 
> can't post on every Texas list that exists but the people on the 
> Austin list are right here where the leg is (more likely to testify), 
> and more politically active to boot.  Some of us also do things such 
> as publishing an award-winning website which could publicize these 
> issues, if we knew about them.  And even when I went to TBC's website 
> to try to go GET the information I could find nothing on this issue 
> there.  If you have an email list for announcements of important 
> issues, such as this one, then feel free to add me to it, or tell me 
> how I can subscribe.  There is a signup box on BikeTexas.org for the 
> "TBC listserve" but there is zero information about what that is (a 
> discussion list?  an announcement list?), much less how much traffic 
> it receives, or even a privacy/spam disclosure.  Even now, you're 
> sending your response to me rather than to the whole Bicycle Austin 
> forum where I posted my original message.  I'll forward this message 
> there myself.  Can I ask that TBC make a greater effort to inform the 
> Austin community of important pending legislation?
>
> Incidentally, a long time ago TBC asked to reprint my flier of Texas 
> bicycling laws, and I agreed and supplied the softcopy files.  Did 
> anything ever happen with that?
>
> Thank you,
>
> -MBJ-
>
> On Jan 3, 2005, at 11:16 AM, Robin Stallings wrote:
>
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Robin Stallings [mailto:robin]
>> Sent: Saturday, January 01, 2005 9:45 PM
>> To: robin
>> Subject: RE: BIKE: New Texas helmet law
>>
>> Hill,
>>
>> We are aware of the bill and are following its progress.  In fact, TBC
>> was instrumental in preventing it from leaving Committee last session.
>> We think the bills intentions are good but that it is not the most
>> effective
>> way to increase helmet use.  We have much better alternative bill
>> language that we may propose if the bill gets legs.
>>
>> TBC is very committed to increased helmet use AND increased bicycle 
>> use.
>> Some mandatory helmet legislation discourages bicycle riding and is
>> disproportionately enforced in minority neighborhoods.  Many of these
>> same children should be encouraged to safely ride a bike AND wear a
>> helmet because they are at greater risk of obesity and diabetes.
>>
>> Robin
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Hill Abell [mailto:hill]
>> Sent: Saturday, January 01, 2005 5:28 PM
>> To: Robin Stallings
>> Subject: FW: BIKE: New Texas helmet law
>>
>> FYI--maybe you should post that the TBC was aware of the bill and
>> closely
>> following its progress, or lack thereof.
>>
>> Who was carrying this bill?
>>
>>
>> Hill Abell
>> Bicycle Sport Shop
>> http://www.bicyclesportshop.com
>>
>> off # 512-477-1551 ext 105
>> mob # 512-422-3648
>>
>> It's time to ride!
>>
>> ------ Forwarded Message
>> From: Michael Bluejay <bikes>
>> Date: Sat, 1 Jan 2005 00:48:15 -0600
>> To: Austin Bikes <forum>
>> Subject: BIKE: New Texas helmet law
>>
>> HB2488 from the 78th Legislature would have required anyone 15 or
>> younger to where a helmet while riding a bicycle, roller skates,
>> non-motorized scooter, or even a skateboard.
>>
>> http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?
>> LEG=78&SESS=R&CHAMBER=H&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=02488&VERSION=1&TYPE=B
>>
>> It didn't make it out of committee.  The author reportedly is going to
>> try again in the next session.
>>
>> How did we avoid hearing about this?  Isn't this the kind of thing 
>> that
>> the Texas Bicycle Coalition is supposed to be on top of?
>>
>> -MBJ-
>>
>>
>> Begin forwarded message:
>>
>>> From: "Martin Leal" <mleal4>
>>> Date: December 31, 2004 10:13:34 PM CST
>>> To: <BicycleMail>
>>> Subject: HB2488
>>>
>>> Your site failed to list HB 2488 from the 78th legislature and please
>>> look for a new bill that will be filed this term again by Rene O.
>>> Oliveria
>>>  My Students have been instrumental in getting these two bills filed
>>>           Martin Leal
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Get on or off this list here:  http://BicycleAustin.info/list
>>
>>
>> ------ End of Forwarded Message
>>
>>
>>
>