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CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, The 2018 Texas Bicycle Tourism Trails Study |
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published by the Texas Department of Transportation identifies |
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numerous potential benefits of a statewide bicycle tourism trail |
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network; and |
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WHEREAS, In the study, TxDOT uses the term "bicycle tourism" |
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to describe a range of activities, from long-distance touring and |
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bike-packing to local day rides, urban cycling, and events such as |
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races; and |
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WHEREAS, The report found that well-designed and |
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well-constructed bicycle trails have a significant positive impact |
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on local economies; the cyclists who use them spend money on a wide |
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variety of products and services, and in states with such trails, |
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daily expenditures by cyclists on longer trips average $136 per |
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day; trails can serve as venues for bicycle events that draw |
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participants and their families from far and wide; moreover, many |
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studies conducted across the country have shown that bikeways are |
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prized amenities that raise nearby property values; and |
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WHEREAS, Bikeways were also found to promote the health and |
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well-being of users and the general public; these dedicated routes |
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not only create safe opportunities for exercise and stress |
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reduction, but also foster community interaction, mitigate urban |
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heat islands, and encourage preservation of natural habitats and |
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the environment; in addition, they raise national and international |
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awareness of the state's uniquely beautiful landscapes and of |
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neighboring historic and cultural sites; and |
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WHEREAS, The study recommends the development of pilot |
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projects to test large-scale implementation of bikeways; it |
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suggests prioritizing network segments using such characteristics |
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as accessibility to potential users and other transportation modes, |
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including airports and motor vehicle parking, and also by |
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considering proximity to existing bikeways, established bicycle |
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events, and such features as natural scenery, historic sites, and |
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state and national parks; and |
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WHEREAS, The Bicycle Tourism Trails Study presents a |
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compelling case for investing in a statewide network of bikeways in |
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order to recognize significant economic and social benefits; now, |
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therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the 86th Legislature of the State of Texas |
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hereby encourage the Texas Department of Transportation to develop |
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and support bikeway network projects; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That the department leverage $8 to $80 million from |
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existing federal funds designated for non-motorized uses, such as |
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Transportation Alternative Program Funds, Transportation |
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Alternative Program Flex Funds, and successor programs, and |
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identify a state source for up to 20 percent of the total cost to |
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fund the projects; no more than 5 percent of the cost should be |
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obtained from local sources; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That the department give priority to |
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network-focused projects that include multiple municipal or county |
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jurisdictions; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That the projects prioritize the safety of all road |
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users and be suitable for users who are between the ages of 8 and 80; |
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and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That official copies of this resolution be |
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forwarded to the chair of the Texas Transportation Commission and |
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to the executive director of the Texas Department of Transportation |
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as an expression of the sentiment of the members of the 86th Texas |
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Legislature. |