SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 653

WHEREAS, The Texas Bicycle Coalition, also known as BikeTexas, was organized in 1991 to promote the advancement of bicycling access, safety, and education in the Lone Star State; and

WHEREAS, Millions of Texans ride bicycles for fitness, recreation, and transportation each year; bicycling can be pursued at any age and has been identified by public health professionals as an activity that could greatly reduce the cost of health care; bicycling benefits the economy as well, with Texans spending more than $200 million annually on bicycle-related goods and services; moreover, bicycle races, tours, rallies, and other events taking place throughout the state have a positive financial impact on participating communities, and such events raise more than $50 million annually for Texas charities; and

WHEREAS, Mountain bikers in the state play a beneficial role in enhancing our parks and other public lands, contributing thousands of volunteer hours each year toward multiuse trail creation and enhancement and care of the outdoor environment; and

WHEREAS, Bicycle safety standards applied to road design and construction, as well as to traffic regulations, will create more bicycle-friendly communities, thereby encouraging more people to engage in this favorable outdoor activity; and

WHEREAS, Since 1998, the Texas Department of Transportation has awarded a grant to the BikeTexas Education Fund for the Texas SuperCyclist and SuperCollege Programs, which have certified more than 3,500 physical education and health teachers in bicycle safety and allowed for some 200,000 schoolchildren to receive bicycle safety instruction; and

WHEREAS, The United States Department of Education awarded the BikeTexas Education Fund a three-year, $1.3 million grant in 2004 to pilot a Safe Routes to School program combining the education and encouragement components of the internationally accepted Safe Routes to School model used in Lubbock, Amarillo, Fort Worth, and Wichita Falls; in addition, BikeTexas has been a national leader in the effort to include funding for Safe Routes to School programs in federal transportation bills, and Texas has received nearly $30 million for its SRTS programs since 2005; and

WHEREAS, For nearly two decades, BikeTexas has worked to enhance the safety of Texas roadways for cyclists and others, and it is indeed fitting to recognize this outstanding organization; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 81st Legislature, hereby commend BikeTexas for its hard work and dedication in behalf of bicycle safety and extend sincere best wishes for continued success to its board of directors, staff, members, and volunteers; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be prepared for BikeTexas as an expression of high regard from the Texas Senate.

Ellis

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on April 20, 2009.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate