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SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 541
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WHEREAS, BikeTexas was organized in 1991 to promote the |
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advancement of bicyclist and pedestrian access, safety, and |
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education in the Lone Star State; and |
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WHEREAS, Millions of Texans ride bicycles and walk for |
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transportation, fitness, and recreation each year; bicycling and |
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walking can be pursued at any age and have been identified by |
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public health professionals as activities that can greatly |
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reduce the cost of health care; and |
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WHEREAS, Bicycling benefits the economy as well, with |
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Texans spending nearly $400 million annually on bicycle-related |
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goods and services; in addition, bicycle races, tours, rallies, |
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and other events taking place throughout the state raise more |
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than $50 million annually for Texas charities; these events have |
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a positive financial impact on participating communities, as |
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each visiting participant spends an estimated $80 per day |
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locally; and |
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WHEREAS, Mountain bikers in the state play a beneficial |
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role in enhancing our parks and other public lands, contributing |
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thousands of volunteer hours each year toward the creation and |
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maintenance of multiuse trails and the care of the outdoor |
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environment; and |
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WHEREAS, The application of bicycle and pedestrian safety |
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standards to road design and construction and to traffic |
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regulations will make communities more bicycle-friendly and more |
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pedestrian-friendly and will encourage more people to engage in |
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these favorable outdoor activities; and |
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WHEREAS, In partnership with the Texas Department of |
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Transportation, the BikeTexas Safe Routes to School program has, |
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since October 2010, distributed over 1.2 million pieces of |
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bicyclist and pedestrian safety material to schoolchildren |
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across Texas, including over 90,000 pairs of safety lights; the |
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program has also, since 1998, trained over 7,000 Texas physical |
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education teachers, law enforcement officers, and other |
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professionals concerned about youth safety and wellness, who |
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have in turn taught bicycle and pedestrian safety to an estimated |
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two million Texas schoolchildren; and |
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WHEREAS, BikeTexas has been a national leader in the effort |
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to include funding for Safe Routes to School programs in federal |
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transportation bills, and Texas has received nearly $70 million |
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for its Safe Routes to School programs since 2005; and |
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WHEREAS, BikeTexas has worked with cities across Texas as |
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they implement bicycle and pedestrian programs such as bike |
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shares, sidewalks, bike lanes, cycle tracks, hike and bike |
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multiuse trails, and bicycle racks on local buses; and |
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WHEREAS, For nearly two decades, with support from over |
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30,000 Texans, BikeTexas has worked to enhance the safety of |
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Texas roadways for cyclists, pedestrians, and other unprotected |
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road users, and the organization has helped 13 Texas cities, |
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large and small, to adopt safe passing ordinances to protect such |
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road users; it is indeed fitting to recognize this outstanding |
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organization; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 83rd |
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Legislature, hereby commend BikeTexas for its hard work and |
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dedication to promoting bicycle safety and extend to its board of |
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directors, staff members, and volunteers sincere best wishes for |
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continued success; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for |
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BikeTexas as an expression of high regard from the Texas Senate. |
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Ellis |
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________________________________ |
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President of the Senate |
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I hereby certify that the |
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above Resolution was adopted by |
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the Senate on March 25, 2013. |
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________________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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________________________________ |
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Member, Texas Senate |