BIKE: SB 859

[Charlie McCabe]

Hey folks,

Sadly, it didn't get voted out of committee last night to go to the 
floor of the Senate....per the statesman:

BICYCLING

  3 feet too many for bicyclists

  The Senate on Thursday turned back a measure that would have forced 
motorists to give people on bicycles at least 3 feet of breathing room. 
The sponsor, Sen. Rodney Ellis, D-Houston, failed to muster the 
two-thirds majority to bring up Senate Bill 859 for discussion.

  Opponents said the measure in some cases would have forced drivers on 
two-lane roads into oncoming traffic.

  The 18-13 vote does not necessarily kill the measure. But with 11 days 
left in the session -- and essentially no days left to get a 
Senate-based measure to the House -- SB 859 is probably dead.

Charlie McCabe

On May 20, 2005, at 3:06 PM, Stephen Wechsler wrote:

> There's a piece in the current Chronicle on this bill.  I was 
> wondering about it too.
>
> Steve
>
>
>
> On May 19, 2005, at 1:24 PM, Lane Wimberley wrote:
>
>> Folks, I saw this on rec.bicycles.racing, and also on another list,
>> and am now passing it along.  To be honest, I'm not familiar with this
>> issue (yet).  I would be interested in any opinions or views on this
>> that others have.
>>
>> -Lane
>>
>> -- 
>> "Every time I see an adult on a bicycle, I no longer despair for the
>> human race."
>> - HG Wells
>>
>>
>>
>> Dear fellow Texas Cyclist,
>>
>> Call Senator Todd Staples, R-Palestine, and urge him to vote for SB
>> 859.
>>
>> Not since the threat to ban cyclists from all FM roads has there been 
>> a
>> greater need for action.
>>
>> Senator Todd Staples, R-Palestine, has repeatedly delayed and
>> obstructed SB 859. Despite the leadership of Senator Ellis, D-Houston,
>> and Senator Deuell, R-Rockwall, Senator Staples, is making it very
>> difficult to get past the Senate floor.
>>
>> The Safe Passing Bill will save lives. It would require motorists to
>> pass cyclists at a minimum of three feet. 20 Texan cyclists a year who
>> are obeying all laws are hit from behind by negligent and reckless
>> drivers. To read more about the bill go to the BikeTexas Legislative
>> page: http://biketexas.org/lege/lege_home.html
>>
>> Email or call Sen. Staples' office and express the importance of his
>> support for SB 859. (512) 463-0103
>> http://www.senate.state.tx.us/75r/senate/members/dist3/dist3.htm#form
>>
>> Email or call your Senator. If you don't know who your Senator is, you
>> can find out at http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/fyi/fyi.htm.
>>
>> Tell your friends! We need to act quickly on this!
>>
>> Thanks!!!
>>
>> _______________________________________________
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>>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
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