Bill Text: TX HCR64 | 2019-2020 | 86th Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: Encouraging the Texas Department of Transportation to develop and support bikeway network projects.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2019-04-29 - Committee report sent to Calendars [HCR64 Detail]
Download: Texas-2019-HCR64-Introduced.html
86R6037 BPG-D | ||
By: VanDeaver | H.C.R. No. 64 |
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WHEREAS, The 2018 Texas Bicycle Tourism Trails Study | ||
published by the Texas Department of Transportation identifies | ||
numerous potential benefits of a statewide bicycle tourism trail | ||
network; and | ||
WHEREAS, In the study, TxDOT uses the term "bicycle tourism" | ||
to describe a range of activities, from long-distance touring and | ||
bike-packing to local day rides, urban cycling, and events such as | ||
races; and | ||
WHEREAS, The report found that well-designed and | ||
well-constructed bicycle trails have a significant positive impact | ||
on local economies; the cyclists who use them spend money on a wide | ||
variety of products and services, and in states with such trails, | ||
daily expenditures by cyclists on longer trips average $136 per | ||
day; trails can serve as venues for bicycle events that draw | ||
participants and their families from far and wide; moreover, many | ||
studies conducted across the country have shown that bikeways are | ||
prized amenities that raise nearby property values; and | ||
WHEREAS, Bikeways were also found to promote the health and | ||
well-being of users and the general public; these dedicated routes | ||
not only create safe opportunities for exercise and stress | ||
reduction, but also foster community interaction, mitigate urban | ||
heat islands, and encourage preservation of natural habitats and | ||
the environment; in addition, they raise national and international | ||
awareness of the state's uniquely beautiful landscapes and of | ||
neighboring historic and cultural sites; and | ||
WHEREAS, The study recommends the development of pilot | ||
projects to test large-scale implementation of bikeways; it | ||
suggests prioritizing network segments using such characteristics | ||
as accessibility to potential users and other transportation modes, | ||
including airports and motor vehicle parking, and also by | ||
considering proximity to existing bikeways, established bicycle | ||
events, and such features as natural scenery, historic sites, and | ||
state and national parks; and | ||
WHEREAS, The Bicycle Tourism Trails Study presents a | ||
compelling case for investing in a statewide network of bikeways in | ||
order to recognize significant economic and social benefits; now, | ||
therefore, be it | ||
RESOLVED, That the 86th Legislature of the State of Texas | ||
hereby encourage the Texas Department of Transportation to develop | ||
and support bikeway network projects; and, be it further | ||
RESOLVED, That the department leverage $8 to $80 million from | ||
existing federal funds designated for non-motorized uses, such as | ||
Transportation Alternative Program Funds, Transportation | ||
Alternative Program Flex Funds, and successor programs, and | ||
identify a state source for up to 20 percent of the total cost to | ||
fund the projects; no more than 5 percent of the cost should be | ||
obtained from local sources; and, be it further | ||
RESOLVED, That the department give priority to | ||
network-focused projects that include multiple municipal or county | ||
jurisdictions; and, be it further | ||
RESOLVED, That the projects prioritize the safety of all road | ||
users and be suitable for users who are between the ages of 8 and 80; | ||
and, be it further | ||
RESOLVED, That official copies of this resolution be | ||
forwarded to the chair of the Texas Transportation Commission and | ||
to the executive director of the Texas Department of Transportation | ||
as an expression of the sentiment of the members of the 86th Texas | ||
Legislature. |