Author: /u/LordTay3

I went on an amazing ride this afternoon and it got me thinking of all the places I could access that I couldn’t a few years ago.

Think of how far this city has come just in the past 5 years when it comes to cycle infrastructure. Key connectors to parks, bayou greenways, the lane on Lamar, the latest work in 3rd Ward, the upcoming lanes on Austin and Polk. And it shows —- wayyyy more people out on bikes as a result.

As someone who loves cycling (not the Lycra racing kind, just the crusing/commuting kind), it makes me so proud of my city and I cannot wait for the next steps in the next decade — Memorial Park and BB Park will connect, Buffalo Bayou East, the Spring Branch trail, high quality trails in Westchase and Katy are coming, as are eventual key north — south connectors via centerpoint utility trails.

For years on HAIF, twitter, reddit I’ve read the comments about this being a car city etc. and its just not true. When the infrastructure is built, people use it. We have 9 month of the year cycling weather, it is flat, and even in the 3 months it is inhospitable, cycling is still feasible in the early morning or night.

As for everyone who complains about cyclists not following road rules, most drivers do not either, plenty of running stop signs, red lights etc. I’m not condoning it and I will actually get on cyclists I see do it on paths, but enough with the cyclist bashing. The not following street rules unfortunately is an all vehicle problem.

I think in a decade we will have the bones to be one of the most bike friendly cities in the USA. Things I’d like to see:

1. Some high quality paths through Montrose. A lot of people there talk the talk about climate change but then get very NIMBY. Something safely getting cyclists from Buff Bayou Park to Braes Bayou.
2. Safe connector of Terry Hershey Park to Buffalo Bayou Park, if the rich folks won’t let us access the Bayou, make a way wider sidewalk or street path on Memorial Drive.
3. Something high quality and safe through the Galleria area (here is where to think big, something elevated like in Copenhagen? I know super expensive, but isn’t this one of the parts of town we show off?)
4. Perhaps the most important, more political will from our leaders to support this stuff (i.e the recent 527 spur decision). So frustrating that the city will give more credence to commuters who have chosen to live far from work rather than people who live in the city and would rather cycle or walk than drive to everything.
5. The more paths off of streets the better. Nicholson trail is a great example, widen the sidewalk and repave. Better for everyone.
6. Is there a way we can get a path underneath 610 on Brays Bayou? Is that in the plans? Right now it is above and you have to cross a busy feeder.
7. Some plan to clean the paths, especially the street ones. Was on Houston Ave bridge and the paths are nice but already see debris, and trash that could cause flats.

I truly believe in 10 years there are going to be so many cyclists commuting to work / or just doing it recreationally and being healthy. Both of these things (taking cars off road, limiting healthcare costs) are so important for our city and will pay for the trails themselves.

Curious what everyone else would like to see.

https://preview.redd.it/5io8d8lr9ht41.jpg?width=295&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e26916a4b0c8c97bf09febada0e209815f149a39