Department of Public Works and Engineering > Houston Bikeway Program
Houston Bikeway Program Vacant, Bicycle-Pedestrian Coordinator Phone: 713.837.0003
Houston offers a 345-mile interconnected bikeway network spanning across 500 square miles of the city. The network includes bike lanes, bike routes, shared lanes and bayou trails, rails to trails, and other urban multi-use paths. This network does not include 80 miles of hike and bike and nature trails found in city parks. Cyclists travel on designated bikeways and merge onto bicycle-friendly streets to complete their journey. Employers and public facilities provide bicycle parking and showers or passes to fitness facilities so employees can freshen up for an upbeat day at work. Children ride the trails with their friends and family and participate in bike safety classes with their classmates. Neighbors meet as they walk and bike in their community to the library or corner shops. Motorists share the road because one more cyclist is one less car on the road. Ongoing opportunities to ride are offered by local bicycling groups that meet the needs of riders at all levels. Houstonians choose to walk and bike to the many points of interest the city has to offer among a variety of artistic, cultural, natural and urban amenities.
15 Years of Progress
Houston completes implementation of its Comprehensive Bikeway Plan with construction of bikeways and implementation of various recommended strategies to create a bicycle-friendly community. Approved in September 1992, City Council funded the development of a bikeway plan for Houston. A task force led by local cycling activist Sandra McMurtry was formed to work with Wilbur Smith Associates. (read more)
Bicycle Friendly Community
The League of American Bicyclists recognizes Houston with an Honorable Mention in their Bicycle Friendly Community awards. After careful review and in consultation with local cyclists, community efforts are recognized as more bicycle friendly actions are implemented in the city. (read more)
Watch for Cyclist/ Wins Honors
The motorist education campaign, Watch for Cyclists! was recently selected by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for inclusion in its Bicyclists Share the Road Tool Kit. The campaign was also a finalist in the American Marketing Association's 2007 Houston Crystal Awards. Developed in English and Spanish, the campaign is also being shared by cycling groups in Mexico. (read more)
White Bikes - A Houston Bicycle Fleet
City of Houston employees are participating in a project to demonstrate the benefits of a bicycle fleet. In a partnership with REI, surplus bicycles were recycled and assigned to employees who ride a bike at work instead of a pool vehicle. The project measures participating employee wellness benefits through the Blue Cross Blue Shield Online Personal Health Manager. Employees also maintain an online travel log to measure air quality and cost benefits. (read more)
New Rails-to-Trails on the Columbia Tap A new rail to trail conversion is under construction. Representatives for Council Member Carol Alvarado and Ada Edwards were joined by the Texas Department of Transportation to break ground on this new trail. The Public Works and Engineering Department Director, Michael S. Marcotte, P.E., DEE, and partners from Texas Southern University led the ceremony to kick off construction of the new 5-mile trail (read more).
Bike Month Success
In time to welcome the summer, Bike Month reached new heights with more cyclists riding their bicycle to promote cycling and bike awareness in Houston. More teams rode to work and more Houstonians registered to ride in May. Participants had many options to ride for fun, exercise and transportation. With great prizes donated by community businesses, riders were recognized for their commitment to ride. Bayou City Outdoors sponsored a huge Bike Month celebration party in the Galleria for Bike Month participants (read more).
Houston offers a 345-mile interconnected bikeway network spanning across 500 square miles of the city. The network includes bike lanes, bike routes, shared lanes and bayou trails, rails to trails, and other urban multi-use paths. This network does not include 80 miles of hike and bike and nature trails found in 
