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February 2, 2001

Bicycle bill draws attention

One bill closely associated with Texas Farm Bureau is drawing a lot of attention in the Capitol and in the media in recent days. The bill was filed as a direct result of the interest and efforts of a county Farm Bureau and the state senator that represents its members.

Senate Bill 238 (SB 238) by State Sen. Jeff Wentworth is being called "the bicycle bill" by some. Others, though, including outspoken critics of the bill, are calling it Farm Bureau's "thinly-disguised attempt to prevent cyclists from operating at all on Texas roadways." That's a gross mischaracterization at best. Austin resident and cycling champ Lance Armstrong called the bill a "joke" in a recent article.

We assure you the bill is not a joke to our organization, Senator Wentworth, and other state senators and representatives who tell us they want to help address the problem because of concerns back home.

SB 238 aims to protect and improve the safety of both motorists and cyclists on certain Farm-to-Market (FM) and Ranch-to-Market (RM) roads. Sen. Wentworth introduced the bill in response to an appeal by members of the Blanco County Farm Bureau at their annual meeting this fall. The language of the bill directly reflects the policy goals of our organization as approved by TFB voting delegates.

Here's what SB 238 does: a) Persons operating bicycles on a roadway should ride single file (currently they can ride two abreast); b) Persons operating bicycles in a group of three or more bicyclists may not ride on a Farm-to-Market or Ranch-to-Market road that is without improved shoulders; and c) A bicycle on a public roadway must be equipped with a slow-moving-vehicle emblem unless the bicycle is being operated on a bike path.

Blanco County FB members in and around Johnson City say the area is a favorite destination for cycling clubs and cycling enthusiasts wanting to ride in the Texas Hill Country. That's fine and good. But the narrow, shoulder-less FM and RM roadways these groups are often choosing to occupy are not safe. Cyclists, as well as motorists, are at serious risk. And the increased frequency of these encounters has a lot of people concerned.

The scenario is all too familiar. A vehicle rounds a blind corner or tops a large hill only to find itself on top of a group of cyclists with little or no time to brake or swerve. Add the weight of a loaded livestock trailer or heavy farm/ranch equipment and the situation becomes even more hazardous. The options are few—slam on the brakes, or swerve into oncoming traffic, or bail into the culvert or bar-ditch. The last outcome is the most feared: colliding with a cyclist or a group of riders.

SB 238 is about safety. It is not about access.

In 1999, there were 2,492 Texas highway cycling accidents. Of these, 1,732 involved city street cycling accidents with 17 fatalities. There were 159 cycling accidents on FM roads, but eight fatalities resulted, a much higher percentage.

Are you experiencing similar situations in your area? We're being told that Blanco County residents are not alone in this regard. If you feel this legislation is needed and important to the safety of motorists and cyclists, please let your state representative and state senator know that you support SB 238 by Sen. Wentworth as soon as possible. Those of you in or near the metropolitan areas of the state are especially valuable because of your close proximity to popular cycling areas.

Also, call us or e-mail us here in Austin if you would like to tell us your own personal experiences with this issue. We are most interested.

We are gathering information and organizing interested supporters in preparation for an expected hearing on the bill in early to mid-February. There is no doubt that opponents of the bill are readying themselves for the hearing in the Senate Committee on State Affairs.

TFB has been increasingly asked by its members to be more proactive in its legislative approach in Austin. The objective is to create and file more legislation in pursuit of TFB's policy goals, as well as react to other legislation of interest to farmers and ranchers and rural Texas.

We think our work on behalf of SB 238 and other legislation this session will exemplify this more proactive approach. Thank you for allowing us to represent your interests in Austin.

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The TFB Legislative staff in Austin may be reached at 512/472-8288.