ACTION ALERT FOR ALL CYCLISTS (ESPECIALLY TEXANS) FOR IMMEDIATE ACTION!

Contact: Patrick J. McCormick, Communications Director
Phone: 202-822-1333
Email: Patrick@bikeleague.org

BACKGROUND:
The League of American Bicyclists, the national membership organization of cyclists, urges you to join with the Texas Bicycle Coalition (www.biketexas.org) and Lance Armstrong (http://www.lancearmstrong.com/) in opposing Texas Senate Bill 238, a measure that would severely curtail the rights of cyclists in Texas. The Bill, which could take effect September 1, would prohibit groups of three or more cyclists on many of the best country roads in Texas (essentially making group riding illegal on rural roads), prohibit riding two abreast, and require cyclists to wear "slow-moving-vehicle" emblems.

The text of the bill may be found at: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=77&SESS=R&CHAMBER=S&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=00238&VERSION=1&TYPE=B

Sen. Jeff Wentworth, R-San Antonio, who introduced the measure, told the Austin American Statesman that farmers find groups of cyclists on farm-to-market roads both "dangerous and exasperating." He said, "I don't have anything against bicyclists, but I've talked to farmers in the Hill Country I represent who are traveling along a narrow, two-lane highway and they top a hill and find three bicyclists spread across the road."

Two-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong e-mailed his thoughts on the bill to the Austin American-Statesman: "It's a joke...Bottom line is that I'm appalled." Armstrong said people around the world would laugh at the measure. "They think, 'This is where the winner of two Tours lives, and now he can't train with his team on the most logical/best roads?'"

WHAT YOU CAN DO:
The League urges its Texas members to call on their state legislators NOW to register their opposition to Senate Bill 238. Please go to http://www.biketexas.org/sb238.html or http://www.lancearmstrong.com/txbill.html for details on the bill and how to contact Texas legislators to join the rapidly growing tide of opposition to Senate Bill 238. As always, please be polite and professional in expressing your opposition.

Following is contact information for Senator Wentworth:

The Honorable Jeff Wentworth
P.O. Box 12068
Capitol Station
Austin, Texas 78711
Phone: (512) 463-0125
Fax: (512) 463-7794
jeff.wentworth@senate.state.tx.us

We will keep you posted on new developments as they occur, or visit http://www.biketexas.org/sb238.html for the latest news.

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The League of American Bicyclists promotes cycling for fun, fitness and transportation, and works through advocacy and education for a bicycle-friendly America. The League represents the interests of 42.4 million American cyclists, including its 300,000 members and affiliates. For more information or to support the League, visit www.bikeleague.org