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So bummed...

Old 12-26-07, 10:52 PM
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So bummed...

There's really only one decent, safe route out of my neighborhood that gets me under the highway and over the bayou on my way to work. Along this route, signs are now up advertising a new 5 acre multi-use development which will be comprised of high-end retail, 2-300 apartments, and parking for 1100 (!) cars. I fear my "safe route" will be no more, for I am sure the bike lane will have to give way to turn lanes for the Lexi and the Beamers, and the associated distracted drivers on cell phones. All in the name of progress, of course. I'm pissed.
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Old 12-26-07, 11:17 PM
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Can you start talking to your city planners about your concerns before the construction starts?
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Old 12-26-07, 11:29 PM
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See if you can get a Bike Trail put in instead of a sidewalk.
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Old 12-26-07, 11:29 PM
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Yeah, I think this is a case where BikeHouston might be able to be of some assistance. I should contact them.

Also, just because a project is announced that doesn't necessarily mean it will be built that way....
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Old 12-26-07, 11:52 PM
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Depends on your area, of course, but around here new development generally means wider lanes.

Maybe it's because of the roads I ride on, but I'm pretty comfortable on a multi-lane road with a wide right-hand lane. Drivers seem to be less annoyed since they always have the option of moving left to avoid you.
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Old 12-27-07, 07:13 AM
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Yeah, I'd definitely get with the city planners, tell them that is the only safe bike route through the area, and make sure that they require the developer to maintain a reasonable path, whatever works best in your area.
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Old 12-27-07, 08:42 AM
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As others have noted, you can try to be proactive with the city planners to help ensure you don't lose your safe cycling route.

Alternatively, you might want to consider moving. Between the heat, humidity, flatness, heavy traffic, bad air, and its reputation as one of the fattest cities in America, I doubt there are many places in the US that are worse for cycling than Houston.
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Old 12-27-07, 09:36 AM
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SSP, you'd be surprised. Houston inner loop really isn't that bad for cycling. Drivers here are so astonished to see someone on a bike, they're usually pretty polite. Heat and humidity and torrerential downpours are a pain, but I never have to worry about ice!

JeffS, I agree about the wide lanes, and part of my route further south is a mile long stretch through a commercial strip - 6 lanes total. It's not bad. I'm certainly not a cyclist that only rides in a bike lane - I'd never get anywhere around here if that were the case. This development is more like a major shopping mall, though, and the amount of traffic it's going to pull off the highway is going to make things tougher, for sure.

I figure there's going to be a planning meeting at some point about this, and I will certainly voice my opinion.
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Old 12-27-07, 10:15 AM
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Good luck. Just curious,what area is this in?

And I agree with HoustonGal on riding inside the loop versus outside the loop. For the most part people are kinder inside. However there are some areas that make me feel the need to stay away, no matter if on bike, car or foot.
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Old 12-27-07, 12:11 PM
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SpiderMike,

The proposed development is 5 acres between Heights and Yale - bounded on the south by the bayou, and on the north by the railroad tracks. I think there's talk of putting in a new eastbound ramp off I-10, even. Pretty huge, huh?

It's supposed to be "new urbanist" so I think they will give lip service to bike/pedestrian access to mollify the neighborhood, then they'll just go ahead and build a crappy strip center anyway (see Sawyer Heights Target for a great example of this).
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