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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 trail network, which may |
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be used for bicycling and walking; and |
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WHEREAS, The report found that well-designed and |
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well-constructed multi-use trails have a significant positive |
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impact on local economies; the cyclists who use them spend money on |
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a wide variety of products and services, and in states with such |
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trails, daily expenditures by cyclists on longer trips average $136 |
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per day; trails can serve as venues for 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 multi-use |
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pathways are prized amenities that raise nearby property values; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, Multi-use pathways were also found to promote the |
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health and well-being of users and the general public; these |
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dedicated routes not only create safe opportunities for exercise |
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and stress reduction, but also foster community interaction, |
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mitigate urban heat islands, and encourage preservation of natural |
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habitats and the environment; in addition, they raise national and |
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international awareness of the state's uniquely beautiful |
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landscapes and of 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 trail networks; 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 multi-use pathways, established |
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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 multi-use |
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pathways in order to recognize significant economic and social |
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benefits; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the 87th 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 multi-use pathway 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 nonmotorized 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 the Texas secretary of state forward official |
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copies of this resolution to the chair of the Texas Transportation |
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Commission and to the executive director of the Texas Department of |
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Transportation as an expression of the sentiment by the Texas |
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Legislature. |