Beware: Bikes crossing

You’ve seen ‘ducks crossing’ signs and ‘deer crossing’ signs – now Texan bikers are calling on their local government to put up ‘motorcycle crossing’ signs.

One San Antonio rider is quoted by the Houston Chronicle as saying: “They put up signs for ducks and deer but not for bikers. They even have them for turtles, but not for us.”

The riders are lobbying for a “failure to yield” law – when a driver fails to give right of way and causes an accident. Riders claim motorcyclists are often the victims in these situations and the $100 fine isn’t harsh enough.

The warning signs are one of a series of demands made by riders who took their lobbying to the heart of Government this week.

They held a ride-in to the State government in Austin, revved engines noisily outside – and shouted loud and long when allowed in to meet members of the House.

Organisers said they wanted to remind the officials who had elected them.

They want a change in Texas’ current lid law. They are allowed to ride without a lid providing they are over age 21, have a $10,000 insurance policy or have taken a training course. But, say locals, rural cops don’t know the rules well enough and continue to ticket lidless riders even when they meet the requirements.

They also say the insurance rule is pointless because companies often refuse to pay, claiming riding a bike is a “hazardous act.” They want a law change to force insurers to pay out.