----- Forwarded by Chris Case/TEPPCO on 02/28/2001 02:13 PM -----

"Jeff Nielsen"
<jnielsen@... To: "GHORBA board (E-mail)"
<GHORBA-board@yahoogroups.com>
ton.tx.us> cc:
Subject: [ghorba-B] FW:
Texas Matthew Brown Act Filed
02/28/2001 11:16 AM
Please respond to
jnielsen





FYI: Bike legislation.

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Subject: Texas Matthew Brown Act Filed


Matthew Brown Act Filed to Improve Bicycle Safety
Eleven-Year-Old was Killed while Riding Near Home, Inspiring Push for Safer

Streets
Eleven-Year-Old was Killed while Riding Near Home, Inspiring Push for Safer

Streets (AUSTIN) In 1998, 11-year old Matthew Brown was riding his bicycle
with a friend on a sidewalk in Plano, Texas. He crossed a quiet street in
front of a truck that had come to a complete stop behind a stop sign.
Matthew, believing the truck had spotted him, rode into the street.
Tragically, the driver did not see Matthew and struck him, killing him
instantly.
To ensure that such a tragedy never again occurs in Texas, a coalition of
individuals and groups consisting of physicians, hospitals, parents,
teachers
and others are promoting the most comprehensive bicycle safety legislation
ever introduced in the United States. Representative Roberto Gutierrez
(D-McAllen) today announced that he has filed HB 2203, The Matthew Brown
Act
? named in honor of the young man who inspired the bill.
"I look forward to getting this important legislation passed in Texas,"
Rep.
Gutierrez said, "and to let it serve as a model for the nation. The Matthew

Brown Act serves as a true safety bill to protect motorists, cyclists and
pedestrians ? all users of the road."
Some of the key points of the legislation include utilizing federal funds
to
require the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to prioritize grants

to make Texas elementary schools safe for bicyclists and pedestrians, a
proposal termed "Safe Routes To Schools".
The bill would also create a local, optional helmet law for children under
16-years old that counties and cities can voluntarily adopt, and would
provide trail accounts for TxDOT and the Texas Parks and Wildlife
Department
to create more trails for Texans to use and enjoy.
A companion bill, HB 2204, also filed by Rep. Gutierrez, would require the
Texas Department of Public Safety to include information on bicycle and
pedestrian fatalities, injuries and property damage in their reports and
would define aggressive acts against bicyclists or pedestrians that could
result in misdemeanor or felony charges.
Matthew Brown's mother, Barbara Brown, is a strong supporter of the
legislation. "I am honored that the most comprehensive and positive
bicycling
legislation ever attempted in the country will be named the Matthew Brown
Act," she said. "Matthew was always looking after others. He would be so
proud to know he is still helping to protect his friends and others on the
roads through this legislation."
The bill has received broad-based support from a wide variety of
organizations, including the Texas Medical Association, the Texas Hospital
Association, the Texas Congress of Parents and Teachers, and the Texas
Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association, among others.
Bicycle safety has received a great deal of attention this legislative
session. A bill filed in the state senate addresses the issue by
essentially
banning bicycles from rural Texas roads. Gayle Cummins, executive director
of
the Texas Bicycle Coalition and a strong advocate of Gutierrez' bills,
said,
"With all the talk at the legislature about banning bicyclists from Texas
roads, we are really happy to be involved in legislation that will actually

make our roads safer for Texas bicyclists, safer especially for our most
precious cargo ? Texas children."







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