The word in tonight from BikeTexas is despite broad bipartisan support and the support of the cycling community and organizations like AAA, Governor Rick Perry vetoed SB 488, the Safe Passing Bill. This bill would have required automobile drivers to give cyclists three feet of space when passing.
Here’s the response from BikeTexas:
Dear fellow Texas cyclists,
We are stunned. After passing SB 488 through both houses of the legislature with overwhelming bipartisan margins and responding to every legislator’s concern with information or compromise, Governor Perry killed the bill today.
In spite of the huge number of phone calls in the span of two very intense hours, Governor Perry vetoed the Safe Passing bill, SB 488.
Thanks to all of you who responded to the BikeTexas Action Alert today and called the Governor’s office.
We are extremely disappointed with the Governor’s action. In our view, this reflects a cavalier attitude on the part of the Governor toward the deaths of the 1000 vulnerable road users that are killed annually in Texas.
It is well known that Rick Perry rides a bike on the streets and on the trails. Unfortunately, ordinary Texans do not have a security detail to shield them from motorists who drive dangerously.
BikeTexas strongly disagrees with the reasoning stated in the veto message from the Governor below. Law enforcement, prosecutors, AAA, AARP, Texas Motorcycle Rights Association and Texas Towing and Storage Association joined BikeTexas in supporting SB 488 because they also believed this bill could have saved lives.
We will keep you informed regarding the next steps. Please stay tuned.
Respectfully,
Robin Stallings
Executive Director
BikeTexas
We all can’t ride with a DPS detail like the Governor. Pretty ridiculous.
Related posts:
- ACTION ALERT ON SAFE PASSING BILL – VETO IMMINENT ...
- Safe Passing Bill Clears Legislature, Heads to Governor for signature ...
- Safe Passing Bill Passes in Texas Senate ...
- Safe Passing bill delayed but making progress ...
- Austin Safe Passing Ordinance Update: Ordinance resolution passes unanimously ...
on Jun 20th, 2009 at 9:22 am
[...] Update on Safe Passing Bill: Gov Perry Vetoes SB 488 [...]
on Jun 20th, 2009 at 9:56 am
cool! I can continue to use cyclists as a pylon.
on Jun 20th, 2009 at 11:54 am
I’m really glad people like y’all and BikeTexas give the level-headed account of what happened, so I can rant and be really, really pissed off on my site. Thanks guys!
on Jun 20th, 2009 at 1:38 pm
That’s right bob, we aren’t your fellow humans, we’re cyclists. Feel free to murder us at will.
on Jun 20th, 2009 at 3:36 pm
Jason,
I’m not as ticked off because I’ve experienced Rick Perry as Governor for nine years and very little he does surprises me anymore.
on Jun 20th, 2009 at 6:00 pm
Good reason to vote for Kay Bailey Hutchison. Perry must be an idiot!
on Jun 22nd, 2009 at 12:26 pm
Have you guys seen this
http://cycledallas.blogspot.com/2009/06/reason-prevails.html
As a cyclists myself I don’t think the bill was necessary, there is already one in place that covers this. I think Perry was considering the backlash it would have on cyclists i.e. – so many cyclists don’t follow road rules to begin with
Texas Transportation Code Section 551.101: “A person operating a
bicycle has the rights and duties applicable to a driver operating a
vehicle under this subtitle.”
Texas Transportation Code Section 545.401: “A person commits an
offense if the person drives a vehicle in wilful or wanton disregard
for the safety of persons or property.”
Just a thought for the cycling community – Perry was being reasonable!
on Aug 27th, 2009 at 12:51 pm
[...] provide at least three feet of passing space between them and cyclists and pedestrians. Thankfully, Governor Perry has no current direct say on [...]