View Full Version : Austin, i need your help!
azoomm
03-10-2009, 03:34 PM
I just got a call asking me to speak for the committee proposing the lane splitting bill.SB 506
There is opposition, and its from motorcyclists. They don't want to be FORCED to wear a helmet. What.the.hell.I think its a great idea. So I want to support it as is. The hearing is next Wednesday. I'm getting full details emailed to me with all the times, but she said to expect it in the AM. I want to show up with a small army of responsible riders trying to push this through process.
Who's with me?
Archren
03-10-2009, 04:15 PM
No guarantees since I'll be at work, but like I said on FB, I'll talk to my boss and see what she says once you know what time it's going to be.
G-Rex
03-10-2009, 04:18 PM
Does the bill as it is worded now require mandatory helmet use throughout the state in order for the lane splitting law to be enacted? I assume so if this is the nature of the opposition?
lauralynne
03-10-2009, 04:28 PM
I did something similiar up here when the lane splitting bill was heard. In WA, we've already got mandatory helmets so the 'small print' on our bill was mandatory motorcycle insurance. Which would suck giant donkey balls. I'm opposed to mandatory moto insurance. but lane splitting I spoke about.
G-Rex
03-10-2009, 04:31 PM
I'm opposed to mandatory moto insurance. but lane splitting I spoke about.
I'll ask before someone else does.
Why would you be opposed to that? Did it mean *every* bike, dirtbikes, racebikes, etc., or did it specifically mean street bikes?
azoomm
03-10-2009, 04:36 PM
Damn thread jacked already???
Come on people, everyone is very quick to whine about what happens in government, here is your chance to get involved. I already have a dozen from personal connections.... How important is this to you?
G-Rex
03-10-2009, 04:38 PM
Damn thread jacked already???
Come on people, everyone is very quick to whine about what happens in government, here is your chance to get involved. I already have a dozen from personal connections.... How important is this to you?
Not totally threadjacked! I asked *you* a question too! I'd be there if I could!
Archren
03-10-2009, 04:38 PM
Damn thread jacked already???
Come on people, everyone is very quick to whine about what happens in government, here is your chance to get involved. I already have a dozen from personal connections.... How important is this to you?
Unfortunately, being as I am government property, I'm pretty limited in when I can just up and leave work. Heh. Give me a ballpark on the time, and I'll do everything in my power to be there.
lauralynne
03-10-2009, 04:43 PM
let me find some of my notes from the hearings here - I also have a friend who was/is the driving force with a lot of the moto friendly bills in this state. I will gather up his info and forward it to you. I'm sure there's a metric ton.
Good luck!
(threadjack taken to PM's ;))
JoshuaTree
03-10-2009, 05:18 PM
I wish I could take the time off, but my present "employer" barely tolerates the legally required 15 minute breaks and 30 minute lunch time off the job as is. If they'll allow you to read other people's statements into the record, I'll compose something tonight... :shrug:
I'm changing jobs next week and won't be working downtown anymore so it's unlikely I can make it. That said, please post more detail about time and location. Maybe I can send my wife in her helmet and jacket to take my place, since she works in the capital complex. :D
azoomm
03-10-2009, 05:31 PM
Wednesday, March 18th 7:30 to 8:00 am Capitol Extension room E1.016,1400 Congess Ave
I need a small army to show up looking like responsible riders, and some ready to speak on behalf of the proposed bill
JoshuaTree
03-10-2009, 05:57 PM
For those that can't find their way through the Texas Government websites:
The Bill: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/SB00506I.pdf
The "Helmet" Law Citation in the Bill: http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/SOTWDocs/TN/htm/TN.661.htm#661.003
skiergirl
03-10-2009, 06:08 PM
7:30 am.....uughh! I'll be there.....I might not look happy about it until my coffee is finished though...
azoomm
03-10-2009, 07:16 PM
For those that can't find their way through the Texas Government websites:
The Bill: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/SB00506I.pdf
The "Helmet" Law Citation in the Bill: http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/SOTWDocs/TN/htm/TN.661.htm#661.003
Thanks Josh!
I wish they would have called the Bill Lane Filtering rather than Lane Splitting. The idea is, in traffic 20mph or slower you can move through cars not exceeding 5mph faster than traffic. Basically, filter to the front - either through traffic or at lights where the road is two or more lanes on your side of the road. The motorcyclist and passenger [if applicable] must wear helmets - and their path of travel must go where a car cannot follow [cannot drive on the shoulder or median].
Sorry, I couldn't type much before - I was on my blackberry. They have a marketing budget for this - they understand educating car drivers is the biggest part of this. They do know that Texas drivers get their feelings hurt when they get passed. It would include billboards, tv and added to defensive driving classes.
I want people showing up looking like the responsible riders we are - even if you don't ride there. PLEASE wear a jacket, carry gloves and a helmet. If our primary opposition on this are the bikers for head freedom, we want to look like the SAFE ones... if we market this right the cagers will be on OUR side because it will make motorcycling "safer" by default.
Have a drink of Kool-Aid Wink
Adeptus_Minor
03-10-2009, 09:18 PM
Wish I could make it :(
TYEster
03-10-2009, 09:42 PM
Damn if it wasn't right in the middle of SXSW I'd be there.
anthonyk
03-10-2009, 10:33 PM
I'll be there Zoomie!
azoomm
03-10-2009, 11:37 PM
i'll be there zoomie!
yay!!
ilVoce
03-11-2009, 11:10 AM
In. Since Josh started a new job, I need to be sure the local chapter of Retirement Simulation Engineers Union is represented. :)
If it's that early in the day, I can make it. I'll be there.
JoshuaTree
03-11-2009, 09:41 PM
In. Since Josh started a new job, I need to be sure the local chapter of Retirement Simulation Engineers Union is represented. :)
< Thread Hijack >
Thank you for representing R.S.E.U. Chapter #512... redflip
(it's not really a "job", but a 1099 Wage contract of indeterminate length... At least its better than nothing. :shrug:)
< / Thread Hijack>
How was the hearing today? Cliff's Notes if you don't have the time presently for a full write-up.
azoomm
03-11-2009, 11:40 PM
How was the hearing today? Cliff's Notes if you don't have the time presently for a full write-up.
18th :wink:
Chris S
03-12-2009, 01:05 AM
Moira, I wish I could go, but work owns me these days, and getting time off isn't easy.
Thanks for taking the initiative, and best wishes successfully influencing the powers that be.
azoomm
03-12-2009, 01:10 AM
OK, anyone and everyone - I need you to send your Senator a message with your support for SB506. At the same time, send Senator John Carona a message as well. It takes just a moment, and will get us so much farther. We need humans showing up, but if I can't have everyone there - I need at least a stack of printed emails.
We NEED a voice. And, right now our voice is the TMRA - google it, I wouldn't want them linking back to here. THEY are our voice. They are making the legislature think WE want them talking for us - that is, if we don't do it ourselves.
Here's the contact info for the Senators:
Chair: Sen. John Carona (Introduced Bill)
http://www.senate.state.tx.us/75r/Senate/members/dist16/dist16.htm
Vice Chair: Sen. Kirk Watson
http://www.senate.state.tx.us/75r/Senate/members/dist14/dist14.htm
Sen. Wendy Davis
http://www.senate.state.tx.us/75r/Senate/members/dist10/dist10.htm
Sen. Rodney Ellis
http://www.senate.state.tx.us/75r/Senate/members/dist13/dist13.htm
Sen. Joan Huffman
http://www.senate.state.tx.us/75r/Senate/members/dist17/dist17.htm
Sen. Robert Nichols
http://www.senate.state.tx.us/75r/Senate/members/dist3/dist3.htm
Sen. Florence Shapiro
http://www.senate.state.tx.us/75r/Senate/members/dist8/dist8.htm
Sen. Eliot Shapleigh
http://www.senate.state.tx.us/75r/Senate/members/dist29/dist29.htm
Sen. Jeff Wentworth
http://www.senate.state.tx.us/75r/Senate/members/dist25/dist25.htm
When contacting, reference Texas SB 506 so they know what you're talking about.
Adeptus_Minor
03-12-2009, 02:24 AM
Messages sent. :dthumb:
Papa_Complex
03-12-2009, 12:11 PM
I was just about to post about this bill. Good thing I did a search first :lol:
You left out the part where you explain why we don't want the TMRA speaking for us. They are against the bill because it has a helmet requirement?
azoomm
03-12-2009, 06:48 PM
You left out the part where you explain why we don't want the TMRA speaking for us. They are against the bill because it has a helmet requirement?
From TWTex... an email exchange, and the TMRA's stance on the bill.
From: tmra2chair@pop.powweb.com [mailto:tmra2chair@pop.powweb.com]
Sent: Monday, March 09, 2009 1:50 PM
To: Connick, Kegan J
Cc: Elmer McKeegan; chairman@tmra2.org
Subject: RE: SB-506
Elmer;
Thanks for tieng me in on this. The man in San Antonio stated "Give me a
helmet law just allow me to split lanes like they do in California." I
find it impossiblev to agree with such a stance.
While we are currently fighting with Carona on his helmet Bill again this
session we have the same senator putting up a Bill such as this. We have
no reason to trust the senator to not use this Bill to advance his agenda
if possible. I have posted our official stand on this Bill as being this:
We do not support this Bill but we will not actively oppose it. If they
can pass the Bill out of committee so be it. If it passes on the Floor as
something other than offered we will kill it in the House.
Sputnik
I hope people can make it tomorrow. I'll be there!
anthonyk
03-18-2009, 10:15 AM
Nice to see such a good turnout! Not a single naysayer in the bunch, either. :dthumb:
Archren
03-18-2009, 10:19 AM
Nice to see such a good turnout! Not a single naysayer in the bunch, either. :dthumb:
Glad y'all had a good turn out.. unfortunately I was no-goed on the missing work thing, so I couldn't come. :(
BIG turnout - much bigger than I was expecting. It was standing room only with about 10 bikers there. One Senator was negative but the chairman was the sponsor and the others didn't say much/anything. Hopefully it'll get some traction and get voted on this session.
azoomm
03-18-2009, 07:03 PM
OK kiddies. This is what I have received:
You all did wonderful. The next step is to get the word of support to the whole Senate since the bill will have to go to the floor. The vote was 7-2, with Senators Shapiro and Huffman voting no. I'd appreciate any help you can give with this.
Thank you again!
Huffman was the Senator that protested at the end. She is a newly elected [Dec 2008] through a special election Senator. She has not explained her stance as to why she voted No. From the session - I think it's because she thinks it's a true California-esque fly-by lane split bill. She didn't seem to understand.
Shapiro wasn't present for any of the testimony or explanation.
Time to email EVERYONE as it's GOING TO THE SENATE FLOOR!!!!
GREAT job today... y'all did our lifestyle proud.
the chi
03-18-2009, 11:04 PM
OK kiddies. This is what I have received:
Huffman was the Senator that protested at the end. She is a newly elected [Dec 2008] through a special election Senator. She has not explained her stance as to why she voted No. From the session - I think it's because she thinks it's a true California-esque fly-by lane split bill. She didn't seem to understand.
Shapiro wasn't present for any of the testimony or explanation.
Time to email EVERYONE as it's GOING TO THE SENATE FLOOR!!!!
GREAT job today... y'all did our lifestyle proud.
Good job on your public service, can you keep the rest of us semi posted on how this is going in case it makes it to other states?
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