Defensive cycling class first for Texas

Austin (KXAN) - The number of cyclists is on the rise here in Austin, and that's bringing an increase in the number of traffic tickets for people on bicycles.

Those tickets can be expensive. Some carry fines that exceed $200.

But now, Austin cyclists can take a special defensive bicycling course to get that ticket dismissed. It's the first of its kind in Texas.

A.J. Greig was in the classroom for the first course this past Wednesday. He got a ticket while riding his unicycle.

"I came up to a red light, I did my still stand for a few seconds," Greig said, describing the moment. "Looked both ways, no cars on either side of me, so I took off."

"About half-a-block up, the siren's right behind me, and I thought, was that for me?" Greig said.

Greig ended up with a ticket for running a red light. It's the most common violation for cyclists in Austin.  A ticket carries a $217 fine .

In the past, Greig would have had to pay up.  But instead, he took advantage of the new defensive cycling course offered through the Austin Cycling Association .  He paid $25 to take the three-hour class and get his ticket dismissed.

Greig smiled and said, "I'm saving a lot of money, yeah."

The Austin Cycling Association has been offering safety courses for several years. 

"You're taught how to drive your car safely in traffic, [but] we don't teach people how to drive their bikes safely in traffic," explained Wes Robinson, director of education for the association.

"This course is really about how to drive their bikes safely in traffic."

The association came up with the safety course, but Robinson says the ticket dismissal would not have happened without support from the Austin Municipal Court .

"They saw the value in allowing cyclists to get some education, instead of just paying a fine," said Robinson.  "I think we're really fortunate to have sympathetic judges that are interested in educating the public."

"Austin has grown tremendously, the number of vehicles has grown tremendously, and the number of cyclists has grown tremendously," said Municipal Court Judge Evelyn McKee.  "We have put bicycles on par with vehicles when it comes to their safety courses."

Between January 1st and July 1st, 235 bicycle-related traffic offense cases were filed with the Municipal Court.   McKee said that's nearly double the number for the same period last year.  She said as more cars and more bicycles have to share the road, safety education becomes more important.

"We want a safer city.  The court wants a safer city.  The judges want a safer city, and the citizens want that," McKee said.

Greig said that he probably would not have taken the course if the cops hadn't pulled him over.

"I'm kinda glad I got the ticket, because it forced me to do this," Greig said.  "This is going to make me a better cyclist, at least a safer cyclist, and my mom will be happy about that," he laughed.

The Austin Cycling Association plans to offer the course once a month.  The next session is set for August 7.