Cyclists can expect to see expanded bike-share infrastructure roll out in the next few years, as the team behind the city’s MetroBike program prepares to bring an updated interlocal agreement to City Council this summer. Since 2013, MetroBike (formerly B-cycle) has relied on nonprofit-run Bike Share of Austin to manage daily operations. Now, Capital Metropolitan […]
Bicycles
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First phase of South Lamar bike lanes delayed nearly two years
Work on a major face-lift to South Lamar Boulevard between Riverside Drive and Barton Springs Road was supposed to have been well underway by now, but as those who frequent the stretch know, not much has changed. That’s because the “road diet” project, which will remove one lane each way to add protected bike lanes […]
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City reaches halfway milestone on bike network buildout
This month marked a big milestone for cycling in Austin: The city’s All Ages and Abilities Bicycle Network reached its halfway completion point, making getting places by bike more comfortable and convenient. So far, the AAA network includes 215 miles of bike lanes, 100 miles of which have been built since 2018. Though the build-out […]
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E-bikes, pandemic boost MetroBike ridership
MetroBike, the city’s rebranded bike share service, saw two consecutive months of record ridership this year, driven by a pandemic-era bike boom and a new fleet of e-bikes. “This year, we hit record numbers for the past few years,” Chad Ballentine with the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority said, “so the future of bike share is […]
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City prepares next steps for Bergstrom Spur trail
After holding a virtual open house on the Bergstrom Spur this summer, the city’s Urban Trails Program, in collaboration with the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization and the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority, is finalizing planning concepts for converting the abandoned rail line into a six-mile trail and transit corridor. For next steps, Urban Trails has […]
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Bicycle Advisory Council examines race and active transportation
In response to the confluence of Covid-19 mobility projects and renewed efforts for racial justice, the Bicycle Advisory Council has opened a conversation over its role as an advocacy group in city-led efforts that impact communities of color. “A lot of the discussions we tend to have are dictated by the public processes of the […]
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New bikeways earn Austin a spot among best bike cities in 2020
Austin has landed a spot in the top 20 best cities for bicycling in a recent survey by the U.S-based bike advocacy group PeopleForBikes. The city received an overall score of 3.0 out of 5, tying with Los Angeles, Detroit and New Orleans while securing the 20th spot on a list of 567 North American […]
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Austin Transportation updates enforcement to keep bike lanes clear of cars
At least in theory, the Austin Transportation Department has long been able to ticket drivers for illegally parking in bike lanes. In practice, however, such enforcement has been inconsistent. The Austin Transportation Department started making hires this week in an effort to change that. The department plans to address several weaknesses in the enforcement process […]
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Red River realignment adds to concerns for campus bike safety
Since Jan. 28, the night Tony Diaz was killed while cycling through the University of Texas campus, university management has listened to and considered calls for safer bicycle facilities on San Jacinto Boulevard, a popular cycling route both for students and non-students. Still, nearly eight months later, the university remains uncommitted to any such action, […]
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City launches map to track bike network projects
The city is anticipating a major push for bicycle infrastructure over the next year. As part of that broader effort, the Austin Transportation Department launched an interactive tracking tool this week to help residents follow the progress of ongoing and future projects. To stay on course with its self-imposed goals, the city will need to […]
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Price tag to fix Shoal Creek landslide balloons
After more than a year of negotiations with property owners over how to repair a landslide along Shoal Creek, the city of Austin is moving ahead with the project – but it could cost millions more than initially thought. In May 2018, a landslide sent earth, trees and debris into Shoal Creek, near Lamar Boulevard […]
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UT meets with advocates, talks bike safety on San Jacinto
Representatives of the University of Texas are promising ongoing discussions of safety and mobility improvements to its section of San Jacinto Boulevard, where 39-year-old Tony Diaz was recently killed while riding a bicycle. Director of Sustainability Jim Walker and President Gregory Fenves’ chief of staff Carlos Martinez met with a small group of bicycle advocates […]