Bill Text: TX HCR65 | 2021-2022 | 87th Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: Encouraging the Texas Department of Transportation to develop and support signature trail and active transportation network projects.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2021-05-17 - Considered in Calendars [HCR65 Detail]
Download: Texas-2021-HCR65-Introduced.html
| 87R14581 CJM-D | ||
| By: Stucky | H.C.R. No. 65 | |
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| WHEREAS, The 2018 Texas Bicycle Tourism Trails Study | ||
| published by the Texas Department of Transportation identifies | ||
| numerous potential benefits of a statewide trail network, which may | ||
| be used for bicycling and walking; and | ||
| WHEREAS, The report found that well-designed and | ||
| well-constructed multi-use trails have a significant positive | ||
| impact on local economies; the cyclists who use them spend money on | ||
| a wide variety of products and services, and in states with such | ||
| trails, daily expenditures by cyclists on longer trips average $136 | ||
| per day; trails can serve as venues for events that draw | ||
| participants and their families from far and wide; moreover, many | ||
| studies conducted across the country have shown that multi-use | ||
| pathways are prized amenities that raise nearby property values; | ||
| and | ||
| WHEREAS, Multi-use pathways were also found to promote the | ||
| health and well-being of users and the general public; these | ||
| dedicated routes not only create safe opportunities for exercise | ||
| and stress reduction, but also foster community interaction, | ||
| mitigate urban heat islands, and encourage preservation of natural | ||
| habitats and the environment; in addition, they raise national and | ||
| international awareness of the state's uniquely beautiful | ||
| landscapes and of neighboring historic and cultural sites; and | ||
| WHEREAS, The study recommends the development of pilot | ||
| projects to test large-scale implementation of trail networks; it | ||
| suggests prioritizing network segments using such characteristics | ||
| as accessibility to potential users and other transportation modes, | ||
| including airports and motor vehicle parking, and also by | ||
| considering proximity to existing multi-use pathways, established | ||
| events, and such features as natural scenery, historic sites, and | ||
| state and national parks; and | ||
| WHEREAS, The Bicycle Tourism Trails Study presents a | ||
| compelling case for investing in a statewide network of multi-use | ||
| pathways in order to recognize significant economic and social | ||
| benefits; now, therefore, be it | ||
| RESOLVED, That the 87th Legislature of the State of Texas | ||
| hereby encourage the Texas Department of Transportation to develop | ||
| and support multi-use pathway network projects; and, be it further | ||
| RESOLVED, That the department leverage $8 to $80 million from | ||
| existing federal funds designated for nonmotorized uses, such as | ||
| Transportation Alternative Program Funds, Transportation | ||
| Alternative Program Flex Funds, and successor programs, and | ||
| identify a state source for up to 20 percent of the total cost to | ||
| fund the projects; no more than 5 percent of the cost should be | ||
| obtained from local sources; and, be it further | ||
| RESOLVED, That the department give priority to | ||
| network-focused projects that include multiple municipal or county | ||
| jurisdictions; and, be it further | ||
| RESOLVED, That the projects prioritize the safety of all road | ||
| users and be suitable for users who are between the ages of 8 and 80; | ||
| and, be it further | ||
| RESOLVED, That the Texas secretary of state forward official | ||
| copies of this resolution to the chair of the Texas Transportation | ||
| Commission and to the executive director of the Texas Department of | ||
| Transportation as an expression of the sentiment by the Texas | ||
| Legislature. | ||
