Nervous

ERNIEB · Jan 31, 2001

I'm as nervous as a long tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs. The Texas Legislature is in session. So far the bills number over 1000, and include such pearls as these.
A bill which if passed would make it illegal for motorcyclists to ride in groups larger than three, and would require them to ride single file. When I consider all the wrongs in our society, this is one that has never occured to me. But I'm sure that on whatever planet the writer of this bill comes from, it is a big, big problem.
Another asks that a law be passed that would raise an assault on a sports offical from a class A misdemeaner, to a 3rd rate felony. Whats next? The garbage man? the meter reader? The next time the guy who pumps out your septic tank overcharges you, don't even think about punching him in the nose. It may be a felony.
Last but no way near being least is a bill that would recognize the Bison as being valuable commercially and as wildlife. (has this guy been here on TBN?) Just what we need, a law stating the obvious.
I have my own idea for a bill. A law that would require these guys to write and publish all their proposed bills while still campaigning. That way we would know before we voted what their "thinking" is. Sorry, but this really irks me.

Ernie
"It would be a waste of men to put our brave little band against thousands" James Bowie

TWINKLE_TOES · Jan 31, 2001

Ernie,

<font color=blue>"this is one that has never occured to me."</font color=blue>

Darn me neither but I'm sure there is a really good reason somewhere. Maybe it's to get the three guy's who keep circling his house stirring up as much dust as possible to get even for some of the other dumb bills he has introduced.

If before any new ones could be passed, they had to erase an old one, we might be better off./w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif

RobertN · Jan 31, 2001

In California last year, something like 11,000 bills went through. Definitely scary!

I think there should be a moritorium on bills, with two prerequisites before it is lifted. First of all, there are soooooooooooo many laws that are not enforced! Enforce those laws first. Second, they should have to take a old outdated laws off the books first.

Maybe then, they would see how many laws are out there already, and they would think at least a itsy bitsy tiny bit before adding more to the mess!

RobertN in Shingle Springs Calif

Bird · Jan 31, 2001

ErnieB, you know the Texas Legislature is supposed to meet for 180 days every two years. I've heard some say it ought to be the other way around./w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

Bird

Thomas · Feb 1, 2001

You got to be kidding me on this matter...what in the word are they thinking of.
I bet you dollars to donuts what person or persons trying to get this bill pass doesn't care about m/c or get his or her name in the public eye.

Keep me posted on the turn out for I'm interested.

Thomas..NH /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

RobS · Feb 1, 2001

ErnieB, I've been half-following the "groups of three" bill on one of the cycling forums, but I thought it was written for bicyclists, not motorcyclists. Maybe there are two such bills or it covers any two wheeled conveyance?!? In any case, it really has the cyclists down there up in arms. After all, Texas is the home of two-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong.

Unfortunately, it is common for a large group of cyclists to take over a lane of the road and impede traffic flow. My group occassionally does this, though we are typically riding out in the middle of nowhere so there isn't much traffic to impede. It does make one wonder what the politicos could/should really be doing with thier taxpayer paid time.

ERNIEB · Feb 1, 2001

Rob, You could be right. My understanding was it was for mc's, but it may even be both. There is a web site that lists all these bills, and I looked thru it for this one, but as of yet have not found it. I'm on rural copper wires, and with all the rain we have had, I'm having trouble staying on line. It's a slow site and with over a thousand to look thru, well, you get the idea.
Either way, its a poorly thought out bill. I have come across bicyclists who refuse to move over, but there is allready a law against impeding the flow of traffic. Why not just enforce the exsisting law?

Ernie
"It would be a waste of men to put our brave little band against thousands" James Bowie

DFB · Feb 1, 2001

Lawmakers definitly target those in the minority. They figure it won't affect their chances at the polls because the target group is not large enough to be effective.

As for motorcycle travel, usually the laws state no more than two abreast in the same lane. Is the problem with the large group or the operator of other vehicle. I've been on large organized rides where some drivers feel its necessary to impeed the flow by cutting the group travel off. I'd like to see them pull that stunt with a convoy of tractor trailers. It seems to me trucks travelling down the highway in large groups kinda have the same effect on traffic flow. No one can see around them or safely pass.

Does a bicyclist have a right to the road as long as they are keeping up with the flow of traffic. It seems no different than having a sunday driver in front of you, your only option is to pass when it safe and legal to do so, or should the road travel should be limited to just motorized vehicles only.

These days the newest fad seems to be people walking in the roadway, two and three abreast pushing strollers, and walking the dog. Doctors' orders you know. Got to get some exercise to stay heathy. I just don't get it. The LAST place I would want my wife and child to be is walking on a roadway risking their safety.

Ya have to wonder, for whose benefit are public roads designed for?

DFB