open letter to the Texas House

Texas State Rep. Bob Griggs (Dist. 91) has authored House Bill 1522, which effectively introduces lane-splitting to Texas. Lane splitting is currently only legal in California, where motorcycles are allowed to ride between cars in congested traffic. The Texas bill is fairly restrictive, only allowing bikes to split lates at 5 mph above traffic that is moving at 20 mph or less, but it still promotes motorcycle commuting. The bill is currently stalled in the Law Enforcement Committee, and may not see the light of the crowded legislative agenda. To help break up the log jam, I've sent the following email to the Law Enforcement Committee members:

Dear Rep. X,

I am writing to encourage your support for HB 1522. Lane splitting is an easy and cost-effective method for reducing congestion, pollution, and fuel consumption in Texas' rapidly-growing urban areas.

Motorcycle sales are at a 25 year high, and bike commuting is an appealing alternative for constituents who are looking for relief from increasing fuel costs. Lane splitting would further encourage current and future riders to leave their cars at home during rush hour. For the Texas cities grappling with new road construction, it would benefit everyone to have fewer cars taking up more space on existing roadways.

If Texas could find a reason for effectively eliminating its helmet law, then surely it can also support a motorcycle freedom that promotes a demonstrable public good.

Thank you for your consideration,
WAEpoint

You can send a similar email by visiting the committee website. From there, you can click on each member and then send a form email through their profile page.