I feel like I have the makings of a good essay. It started out strong, but I feel like I may have lost momentum along the way. I'm also afraid that it might be too long. Have I clearly demonstrated the "issue"? Have I shown why it is significant to me?
I've read it too many times now. I need some one else's input.
SAFE PASSING BILL
Here's my essay:
Last year I got hit by a car while riding my bike to school. He was trying to pass me in slow moving traffic and got a little too close. He got out of his car as I was brushing myself off. When he saw that I was not hurt he told me that "this is the reason you all don't belong on the roads" and got back in his car and sped away. I was pretty shaken up, but I wasn't hurt. I've had some close encounters before when riding my bike, but nothing as terrifying as actually getting hit. I felt like he had recklessly endangered my life, but technically neither of us had broken any traffic laws.
That's why when I heard about SB488, a bill that would have required Texas drivers to allow at least three feet when passing bicycles and other vulnerable road users I was 100% in support. I am well aware that everything government does affects me, but this was the first time that I really felt like I could effect government. I called my Texas State Senator's office and voiced my support for the bill. I emailed my friends and family, signed petitions and kept up with the news. I followed the bill's every move from committee, through the House and Senate and on to the Governor's Office. I had never been someone who was active in politics. I always voted in the "important" elections, but I never called my legislators or wrote them letters. I always figured that they were going to do whatever suited them and that my voice didn't matter. SB488 changed that for me. I realized that being apathetic and doing nothing is what really made my voice not matter. Keeping quiet is no way to get what you want.
Bicycles belong on the road. There are many people who argue that bikes inhibit the flow of traffic and that we should ride on the sidewalk. Riding on the sidewalk is more dangerous than riding on the street. There are cars entering and exiting driveways, blind corners, unexpected obstacles and riding on sidewalks endangers those who use them for their intended purpose; walking. While it is true that we cannot possibly maintain the same speeds as cars on surface streets, often times when a car passes me I catch up to them at very next red light. It happens all the time, a car will be forced to drive behind me for a couple blocks and when they have the chance they speed around me, sometimes getting a little too close.
Another argument against bikes on the road is that we "always" violate traffic laws. When I'm commuting by bike I obey the traffic laws. Cyclists have the same rights as cars and therefore we have the same responsibilities. Not only is it safer to obey them, every time a motorist witnesses a cyclist running a red light or cruising through a stop sign it reinforces that argument. I do not want to contribute to a driver's negative attitudes about sharing the road.
SB488 passed in both the house and senate with virtually no opposition. That is what made Governor Perry's veto so surprising. Texas cycling activists had lobbied for years to get this piece of legislation passed. It was a heavy blow to the cycling community, but we are resilient. New petitions are being signed, and Governor Perry is coming up for re-election. We are committed to having our communal voice heard. It has clearly been heard in the capitol. Governor Perry will likely hear us from the voting booth next November.
In the mean time, I will keep riding, obeying the laws and doing my part to share the road.
I've read it too many times now. I need some one else's input.
SAFE PASSING BILL
Here's my essay:
Last year I got hit by a car while riding my bike to school. He was trying to pass me in slow moving traffic and got a little too close. He got out of his car as I was brushing myself off. When he saw that I was not hurt he told me that "this is the reason you all don't belong on the roads" and got back in his car and sped away. I was pretty shaken up, but I wasn't hurt. I've had some close encounters before when riding my bike, but nothing as terrifying as actually getting hit. I felt like he had recklessly endangered my life, but technically neither of us had broken any traffic laws.
That's why when I heard about SB488, a bill that would have required Texas drivers to allow at least three feet when passing bicycles and other vulnerable road users I was 100% in support. I am well aware that everything government does affects me, but this was the first time that I really felt like I could effect government. I called my Texas State Senator's office and voiced my support for the bill. I emailed my friends and family, signed petitions and kept up with the news. I followed the bill's every move from committee, through the House and Senate and on to the Governor's Office. I had never been someone who was active in politics. I always voted in the "important" elections, but I never called my legislators or wrote them letters. I always figured that they were going to do whatever suited them and that my voice didn't matter. SB488 changed that for me. I realized that being apathetic and doing nothing is what really made my voice not matter. Keeping quiet is no way to get what you want.
Bicycles belong on the road. There are many people who argue that bikes inhibit the flow of traffic and that we should ride on the sidewalk. Riding on the sidewalk is more dangerous than riding on the street. There are cars entering and exiting driveways, blind corners, unexpected obstacles and riding on sidewalks endangers those who use them for their intended purpose; walking. While it is true that we cannot possibly maintain the same speeds as cars on surface streets, often times when a car passes me I catch up to them at very next red light. It happens all the time, a car will be forced to drive behind me for a couple blocks and when they have the chance they speed around me, sometimes getting a little too close.
Another argument against bikes on the road is that we "always" violate traffic laws. When I'm commuting by bike I obey the traffic laws. Cyclists have the same rights as cars and therefore we have the same responsibilities. Not only is it safer to obey them, every time a motorist witnesses a cyclist running a red light or cruising through a stop sign it reinforces that argument. I do not want to contribute to a driver's negative attitudes about sharing the road.
SB488 passed in both the house and senate with virtually no opposition. That is what made Governor Perry's veto so surprising. Texas cycling activists had lobbied for years to get this piece of legislation passed. It was a heavy blow to the cycling community, but we are resilient. New petitions are being signed, and Governor Perry is coming up for re-election. We are committed to having our communal voice heard. It has clearly been heard in the capitol. Governor Perry will likely hear us from the voting booth next November.
In the mean time, I will keep riding, obeying the laws and doing my part to share the road.
