AUSTIN, Texas — Austin neighbors rallied Saturday, calling on city council members to add dedicated bike lanes after a middle school student was hit while riding his bike.

(Article by KEYE TV, republished from http://keyetv.com/news/local/citizens-calling-on-austin-city-council-for-bike-lane-changes)

After 11-year-old Charlie, a middle school student at Murchison Middle School was hit by a car at the intersection of Mesa Drive and Far West Boulevard, Charlie’s parents, loved ones and neighbors gathered to implore law makers for change.

The incident ended up with Charlie being rushed to a local area hospital. He sustained a concussion, broken teeth, and a chin laceration which had to be stitched up. Charlie was hit because he didn’t have a dedicated bicycle lane to ride down.

This follows the months of opposition to the safety improvements from Council Member Gallo and a small group of residents. Just two weeks ago, Council Member Gallo officially stated her opposition to the bike lanes in her District newsletter: “I also have a concern that the City’s recommendation is to reduce the vehicle lane width from 14 feet to 10 feet [to add dedicated bike lanes]. We have many young drivers and seniors in our community, and I feel the additional widths of our vehicle lanes are safer for everyone.”

This Saturday, Charlie and his parents Anton and Amy spoke at a press conference at the intersection where Charlie was hit to call on Council Member Gallo to install the safety improvements immediately and prevent future crashes. After the rally, participants will ride and walk to Council Member Gallo’s Transportation Town Hall at the Austin Board of Realtors at 1PM to deliver their message in person.

Read more at: http://keyetv.com/news/local/citizens-calling-on-austin-city-council-for-bike-lane-changes