H-GAC developing regional bikeway system

Cy-Fair area proposed routes

Jay Blazek Crossley, Jul 19, 11.

The Houston - Galveston Area Council is working with community groups and bike activists to develop a comprehensive vision for a region-wide bikeway network to develop by 2035, according to Community Impact Newspaper.

The project is working with local groups across the 13-County region, such as the Greater Houston Off-Road Biking Association, which is working on the Cypress Creek Greenway Project, part of the Houston Parks Board’s Bayou Greenways Initiative:

“We are trying to identify corridors where bikeway connections would make sense,” said Gina Mitteco, pedestrian bicyclist coordinator for H-GAC. “We are also trying to identify a vision for what local governments want to build.”

According to Mitteco, H-GAC is looking into multiple ways to make the Houston region more bike friendly in its 2035 regional bikeway plan. The organization is currently trying to connect and build several types of bikeways including shared-use paths, which are bike paths separated from a road and shared by pedestrians. Other bikeways H-GAC is looking at are shoulder bike routes, which are road shoulders used by bikes and cars for emergencies; bike lanes, which are lanes designated just for bikes; and shared roadways, which are roads bikes share with cars.

In addition, H-GAC is updating a pedestrian and bicyclist study, which should be completed by the end of the year, said Mitteco. This study will identify special districts where there are opportunities to improve bicycle transportation options and safety.

“We try to encourage bicycle use, and we are always looking for ways to improve air quality,” Mitteco said.