Austin-based bicycle advocacy group BikeTexas recently honored Denton City Council member Dalton Gregory as a champion for cyclists during a transportation conference in San Antonio.
Gregory received the BikeTexas Champion Award for outstanding elected officials as part of the Texas Trails and Active Transportation Conference.
“Denton is moving quickly to create real solutions to air quality issues, traffic congestion, the obesity epidemic and economic competitiveness by improving cycling conditions and safety, thanks to leaders like council member Dalton Gregory,” said Robin Stallings, executive director of BikeTexas, in a written statement.
Gregory attended the first Texas Trails and Active Transportation Conference in 2010 in Austin and returned to Denton with ideas for making the city more bike- and pedestrian-friendly. He was the driving force behind the city’s “safe passing” law, passed by the council in April, which requires motorists to allow a safe distance when passing cyclists, pedestrians or other vulnerable road users.
Gregory issued a statement highlighting the city’s bicycle initiatives, including the safe passing law, the nine-mile Denton Branch Rail Trail, and a proposed bicycle and pedestrian accommodation plan that faces a council vote Feb. 21.
“No policy, resolution or budget passes without at least four votes,” Gregory said. “But a number of unanimous votes by the Denton City Council demonstrates our city’s strong stand to become bike and pedestrian friendly as part of our overall effort toward sustainability.”