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Ticketless Bike Travel & Advice on Riding in Hunter's Creek |
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Written by Dan Lundeen
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Saturday, 22 June 2002 |
Kudos to the 50+ courageous liberty-loving souls who exposed that the Memorial Villages in Houston are no longer enforcing their infamous bike ban. These individuals took a giant step for improving bicycling conditions in the Houston area, and ensuring that bikes will one day be guaranteed a place on every road in the area (Judge Eckels listen up!!). Thanks to these riders, the Memorial Bike Ban BASH was a stunning success!!
Defying the signs BICYCLES ON ROADWAYS PROHIBITED, folks from 3 years old to 75 each delivered a letter on the Memorial Day (May 27, 2002) ride to MVPD's Chief Brye informing him that the signs are illegal, unconstitutional and downright dangerous, and asking him to take the signs down.
They also kicked off a petition drive asking Texas Attorney General John Cornyn and Harris County DA to investigate civil rights abuses and put an end to the nuisance signs.
The Memorial Bike Ban BASH was covered by Channel 11 and the story aired on the 6 pm news 5/27/2002, but I was unable to find a posting on their web site. Perhaps an email to reporter Doug Miller thanking him for his fine coverage and asking him why its not on the website is in order. (The 5-21-2002 story by Zeintak is still there.) Contrary to previous promises to write tickets, there were no cops at the city limits when we arrived with our flags, and the two officers we did see waved politely with all five fingers.
But this isn't over until those signs come down! Download your own copy of the letter and the petition, as well as TxDOT regulations against signing a sidewalk for bicycle use. Please take a moment to download the letter and deliver it to Chief Brye (on a bike without fear of being ticketed despite the signs is best, but mail or fax will also work).
Petitions with signatures on them should be forwarded to Dan Lundeen, Lundeen & Arismendi, 1916 Baldwin, Houston, Texas 77002 for delivery to Cornyn and Rosenthal.
We welcome everyone's help in ending the bike ban in the Memorial Villages - you should sign the letter and petition even if you don't live in the Houston area.
Special thanks to BikeHouston (Howard Pool) and Sierra Club (Peter Tyler) for their assistance and support for drinks, ice, clipboards and enthusiasm.
Dan Lundeen
Bikers Alerted for Stopping Harrassment in Houston (BASHH) |
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Advocacy