N.Y. Times:

Big increases in business this year led some shop owners to think that they were largely insulated from a slowing economy. But the economy has continued to spiral downward, taking bicycle sales and much else with it. The question now is whether all the bicyclists who appeared last summer will be back next summer.

I think that the editor who wrote the headline meant that sales are waning, not waiting. The A-Team at the Times editorial desk must already be out celebrating the New Year.

California.

While talking on cellphones is already illegal in California, a new law makes any text-based communication while driving illegal.

A new zero tolerance standard for DUI allows the DMV to administratively suspend drivers licenses for one year. The new law also allows law enforcement agents to immediately impound vehicles of those caught with a BAC of 0.01% if they’re driving on post-DUI probation.

The state’s definition of a motorcycle will be modified so that fully enclosed 3 wheeled motor vehicles can use HOV lanes.

It will also be illegal after the New Year to “forge, counterfeit, or falsify a Clean Air Sticker,” which are the yellow stickers allowing low emission vehicles to use the HOV lanes.

If you forget to get your car smogged and ask for a temporary permit, it’ll now cost you $50.

Colorado.

New medical coverage requirements for auto insurance. Your insurance agent must receive an ‘opt out’ notice from you if you don’t want the increased coverage.

Illinois.

The “judicial driving permit” — a special permit for DUI offenders with suspended license to get to work — will be replaced with a “Monitoring Device Driving Permit,” which allows drunks to drive if they agree to have a breath alcohol ignition interlock installed on their car.

New Hampshire.

A Three Foot Passing Law becomes effective.

Elsewhere…

If you know of other laws, please feel free to post details or a link in the comments below. If you leave a helpful link I’ll try to promote that link into this article.

I’ll see you before the New Year sometime. See you then!

We have a couple of Christmas Eve family traditions in our household. They’re nothing special, it’s just part of the routine of what we do and who we are.

The first tradition is we always eat Mexican food on Christmas Eve. Tonight, I’m making tacos.

The other tradition is a reading of the second chapter of the Gospel of Luke, which is the traditional “Christmas story” chapter in the Christian Bible.

I’ll do my best to stay off of the computer for the rest of the week. We’ll visit some friends and family down in Southern California, but otherwise we plan to keep things quiet and simple. Thank you all so much for following Cyclelicious, and I look forward to meeting more of you in 2009.

In case you don’t know about it yet, NORAD Tracks Santa is on Twitter.

Luke 2

The Birth of Jesus

1In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3And everyone went to his own town to register.

4So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

The Shepherds and the Angels

8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ^[a] the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”

15When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

16So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.