Street View of Hwy 287 outside of Ennis. Note the non-continuous shoulder on the right, not a bike lane. Photo by Reed Bates.
Update (July 14, 2010): Reed Bates has sent us an update of the events of the last few months. Please take a few moments to catch up. Thanks to all who have donated money to Reed’s defense fund and who have asked about his well-being. If you have any concerns, please don’t hesitate to email us.
The Ennis Police and the Ellis County Sheriff have begun ticketing and arresting Reed Bates a.k.a. “ChipSeal”, a commuting cyclist, on Hwy 287 between Ennis and Waxahachie for “impeding traffic” by riding in the right lane. His first citation was for riding in the right-hand lane of Business 287 in Ennis, where the posted speed limit is only 30 mph. He has now been arrested and held in jail twice, the first time for “operating a bicycle on a roadway” and most recently for “impeding traffic”.
Aerial View of Hwy 287 in Ennis. Note how there is no shoulder East of Clay St. Photo captured from Bing Maps.
On this stretch on Hwy 287, there are 4 total travel lanes, a lack of consistent shoulders, and a high number of intersections/turning movements. Reed does not own a car and must travel everywhere by bicycle in a law-abiding way.
The argument is that if cars have to slow down to pass a cyclist in a 12’ lane (without any traffic queuing) then that constitutes “impeding traffic”.
Why should I care about the fate of Reed Bates?
The right to lawfully cycle on Texas roads is under threat.
If you have ever ridden your bicycle on a Texas road, then your right to do so is under threat as well.
Why doesn’t Reed just ride on the shoulder?
Because it is not a travel lane.
Moving to that space means giving up a rightful position in the travel lane, thus having to yield in order to get back into the lane when the shoulder ends (which it does often on Hwy 287).
Cars are constantly turning into and out of driveways along roads such as Hwy 287; it is very dangerous to be riding in a place that is invisible to motorists. By far the greatest number of serious incidents between cars and cyclists occur when a motorist turns in front of a cyclist on the road edge or shoulder.
Reed Bates. Photo by Steve A.
How can I help Reed and defend my right to cycle on Texas roads?
Donate to ChipSeal’s legal fund right now. Please note that this is not a tax-deductible donation. Every dollar will help! Consider even donating the cost of a latte at your favorite coffee shop. Be a good neighbor and help a fellow cyclist in need.
After you have donated, call or write to elected officials in Ennis and ask them to support Reed’s right to the road.
How can I find out more about Reed’s story?
Please see The Enforcement of Imaginary Laws by Keri Caffrey and Stateside Shenanigans by citycycling. Also see the Related page for a comprehensive list of links related to Reed’s case, including first-hand accounts by the man himself.
