Grand Parkway Ride- Ride On Brand New Freeway!

Now is prime season for riding in Houston.  The weather isn't blazing hot and humid and there are a bunch of organized rides leading up to the largest charity bike ride in the USA the- MS 150, including the Bluebonnet Express and the Tour De Houston.  Bluebonnet Express is a really well organized ride run by the Northwest Cycling Club and the Tour De Houston is nice because the route changes yearly and allows for seeing areas of Houston from the perspective of your bike you may not otherwise see.  But I am really excited about the Grand Parkway Ride.  This March 19th the new Grand Parkway Freeway will be closed to car traffic on a 12.5 mile section between Hwy 59 and I45.  You know this road is going to be smooth and fast.  And having the option to ride your bike on a road that will be closed of the bicycles is a great opportunity.

Upcoming Rides:
MS 150

Bluebonnet Express 

Tour De Houston

Grand Parkway Ride

Draft Of Houston Bike Plan Released

The other day I passed a group of cyclists who were stopped at the end of George Bush Park and I heard one of them say, "I've heard that from the last 4 mayors".  I'm sure they were talking about the newly released draft of the Houston Bike Plan and the new mayor stating he wanted to make Houston a more bike friendly city.  The release of the plan has generated a good amount of publicity.  Bike Houston had their annual meeting last night and the release of the draft was a major part of the agenda.   You can read more at the following links:

The plan has it's own web site:  Houstonbikeplan.org

Bike Houston is a major driver of the plan: Bikehouston.org

Local papers have written about it:
Houston Press

Houston Chronicle February 23 article

Houston Chronicle  February 22 article

Houston Chronicle  February 21 article

Tribune.com

Local TV:

KHOU TV

And here is a report from January on PBS News Hour

Bike Houston "Why I Bike Houston" Campaign

Bike Houston has short video "Why I Bike Houston" where people discuss why they ride. They are encouraging everyone to add a video or photo of why they ride to their social media accounts.  I'm gonna have to think on what I post...check it out.


Why I BikeHouston from BikeHouston on Vimeo.

Houston Bike Fest Cancelled Due to Rain

This is the second cancellation due to rain.  They are now working on a date in the Spring.  Here are some photos from last years bike fest:

Karbach's name and beer stands were everywhere

New Bike Shop In Katy

Houston has some great bike shops- Blue Line Bike Lab, West End Bikes, Urban Bike Gallery, Daniel Boone Bikes- to name a few, but out in the burbs of Katy we are stuck with chain store Sun & Ski, assholes at Bike Barn, and tiny Bicycle World Express.  But starting with a soft launch this Wednesday November 18th Bicycle World is opening a new full service bike shop on the I-10 Freeway in the strip mall next to Main Event & Guitar Center.  If they keep the customer service of their small express store then Katy will finally have a top flight local bike shop.

Vote With Cycling In MInd

With tomorrow's election you have the option to consider cycling into your decision.  Bike Houston has sent a candidate questionnaire to mayoral and city council candidates.  You can review there responses here.  One candidate who has bicycling as a central aspect of their lives is Tom McCasland running for the City Council At Large #1.  McCasland has commuted in Houston exclusively by bike and public transit, he wrote the grant to turn utility easements into shared use paths, and was critical in the three foot safe passing law getting passed in Houston.  So go read up on the candidates at Bike Houston's web site and don't forget to vote tomorrow.

Now this is how you lock your bike!

Got to love New Orleans.