Written for The Texas Observer legislative blog "Floor Pass" with Emily Mathis.
Photo by Beth Cortez-Neavel
More than 2,000 bikers overran the Texas Capitol Monday (not literally, they parked outside) to push for comprehensive motorcycle safety legislation: banning texting while driving, and a draft bill they’ve dubbed the “Motorcycle Crash Prevention Act of 2013.” The bill would, in part, boost funding for Texas’ Share the Road campaign, and cut out one legal pretense for cops to stop motorcycles on the road. Also on the agenda for many, separate from those safety concerns: protections for the biker lifestyle, including gun rights and helmet-free riding. Members of Texas ABATE, the Texas Motorcycle Rights Association and the Texas Confederation of Clubs and Independents met Sunday for a legislative manners workshop in North Austin that detailed “working and walk the halls” and how to introduce a bill to lawmakers. The weekend’s agenda includes a warning to leave the weapons at home, lest they be confiscated at the Capitol metal detectors. Read more.