SRC-SEW S.B. 238 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 238
77R1722 MTB-DBy: Wentworth
State Affairs
2/7/2001
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Under current law, bicyclists may ride two abreast in a single lane on a
roadway and have unrestricted access to most roadways in Texas.  The influx
of bicyclists on Farm-to-Market and Ranch-to-Market roads is causing
growing concern among farmers and ranchers using the same roads while
hauling heavy equipment or loaded livestock trailers.  As proposed, S.B.
238 requires bicyclists to ride single file, places certain restrictions on
cyclists riding in groups of three or more, and requires bicycles to be
equipped with slow-moving vehicle emblems. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a
state officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 551.103, Transportation Code, by amending
Subsection (c) and adding Subsection (e) to require bicyclers on a roadway
to ride single file only rather than two abreast and to prohibit bicyclers
in groups of three or more to ride on a farm-to-market or ranch-to-market
road that has no improved shoulders.  Deletes text regarding arrangements
of bicyclists on various roadways. 

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 551.104, Transportation Code, by amending
Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (d) to prohibit a person from
operating a bicycle unless the bicycle is equipped with a
slow-moving-vehicle emblem (as defined by Section 547.001) that conforms to
the requirements of Section 547.703(a), excepting persons operating a
bicycle on a path set aside exclusively for bicycles. 

SECTION 3.  Effective date:  September 1, 2001.