Bicycle Touring & More. Other outdoor activity

Congratulations to the five new cities added to the League of American Bicyclists list of Bicycle Friendly Communities.

The League announced that Austin and San Luis Obispo were added to the silver level on the list, and LaCrosse, Wisconsin, Park City and Salt Lake City, Utah, were added to the bronze level in the latest round of awards.

Cities on the list get there by proving that they provide safe accommodations for cycling and encourage their residents to bicycle for commuting and fun. …

Looks like 3 feet

Texas is getting closer to joining a handful of states that require motorists to give bicyclists at least a 3-foot gap when they pass.

The Texas Senate tentatively approved a bill on Tuesday that not only requires the 3-foot gap on two-lane roads, but yielding a full lane to bicycles on four-lane roads.

But just to put cyclists back in their place, the senators also approved an amendment that eliminated the mandatory passing distance requirement on two-lane roads without paved shoulders, because — as Republican Sen. Kim Brimer is quoted — “Bicyclists don’t belong on those roads.” …