Bicycle bicycling in houston pleasure exercise fun activity Houston Bikeway. The Houston Bikeway Program provides a completed 300-mile bikeway network for urban cycling that spans across a 500 square-mile area of the city. This transportation network of designated bikeways is integrated into the overall transportation system and consists of a total of 345 miles of designated on-street and off-street bikeways. This network does not include 80 miles of hike and bike and nature trails found in city parks.

The benefits of riding a bicycle are obvious: exercise, saving money, reducing traffic congestion and conserving the environment. Learn how to safely ride a bicycle anywhere in the greater Houston area for recreation and transportation. Don't be intimidated by cars and SUVs. Learn how to ride safely and effectively in traffic using Vehicular Cycling principles. Discover the safest streets, roads, bike lanes, and trails.
 

BikeHouston is proud to announce our 35th annual Moonlight Bicycle Ramble will be held Sunday, October 28, 2007 at 2:00am.  http://www.bikehouston.org/
More than a family bike ride, the Bike Houston Moonlight bicycle ramble is a rolling party. This two hour recreational bicycle ride is for cyclists of all abilities, offering courses of approximately 8 and 20 miles. Both routes start at the George R. Brown Convention Center in downtown Houston, Texas. Your participation in the ride will help promote bicycling in the Houston area.

What is a bike route?
A bike route is a designated on-street bicycle path that is not striped. The bike route is a shared lane with motor vehicles and is signed with a green Bike Route sign.

What is a bike trail?
A bike trail is a designated off-street bicycle path that travels through parks, along bayous or other designated public right-of-way. Bike trails are designated with a Bike Trail sign. Bike trails are usually shared with pedestrians and joggers.

How should I pass another cyclist on a bike lane?
The same traffic rules apply. If you are a cyclist, check behind you to make sure no vehicles are on the left lane. Use your hand signals to let other vehicles know your intentions. When passing the other cyclist, you can use an audible signal such as a bell or voice signal to let the other cyclist know you are "Passing". This avoids surprises. If you are a motorist you will be traveling on a separate lane. Remember to be aware of bicyclists traveling on the bike lane, especially when making a right turn. Signal to let all vehicles know your intentions. Be aware that bicyclists may travel outside of the bike lane if necessary.

What is the correct way of passing a cyclist on a shared road?
If you are a bicyclist, the same traffic rules hold true for passing bicycles or other vehicles on a shared road. If you are a motorist remember that the bicycle is a vehicle too and has the right to occupy the full lane under certain conditions. You must pass on the left lane following the normal traffic rules.

Article 6701.d. Section 182  Requires that a bicycle ride with the flow of traffic. Riding with the traffic makes the cyclist more visible and predictable, especially at intersections

Do I need to have lights on my bike?
State law requires that you have a front light and a rear reflector. A blinking red light is advisable.

Section 551.104 Safety Equipment

A) A person may not operate a bicycle unless the bicycle is equipped with a brake capable of making a braked wheel skid on dry, level, clean pavement. (B) A person may not operate a bicycle at nighttime unless the bicycle is equipped with:

(1) a lamp on the front of the bicycle that emits a white light visible from a distance of at least 500 feet in front of the bicycle; and

(2) a red reflector on the rear of the bicycle that is:

(a) of a type approved by the department; and (b) visible when directly in front of lawful upper beams of motor vehicle headlamps from all distances from 50 to 300 feet to the rear of the bicycle.

(C) In addition to the rear reflector required by Subsection (B), a person operating a bicycle at nighttime may use a lamp on the rear of the bicycle that emits a red light visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear of the bicycle.

City Ordinance No. 95-813 Children under the age of 18 who operate or ride on a bicycle or any side car, trailer, child carrier, seat or other device attached to a bicycle must wear a bicycle helmet.
 

Bike Lingo  The most common terms you may hear in group sponsored rides and tours:
“On your left or On your right”- A rider is approaching your left or right side. Allow room to pass.
“Car Back”- A car is approaching from the rear. All riders make an effort to move to the right of the road in a single file until the car passes. It is state law that cyclists ride no more than two abreast. This ensures that traffic will not be impeded, and will make passing easier and safer for the cyclists.
“Gravel”- ”Pothole”- ”Sand”- ”Tracks”- Each of these messages is to alert the riders behind you of hazardous road conditions. The words are combined with the gesture of pointing to the hazard well in advance.
“Flat”- Indicates that a rider has suffered a flat tire. Allow enough room for the rider to slow down and move to the right side of the road for repair. Offer assistance if needed.
“Slowing”- The cyclist in front of you is slowing down. Use caution and prepare to stop.
“Stopping”- Indicates that a rider ahead is stopping. Do not forget to unclip from your pedals.
Remember to pass all communication on to the next cyclist in the group. Speak loudly and clearly.

Link to Houston bikeway maps http://www.publicworks.houstontx.gov/bikeways/phases.htm
 

www.bikehouston.org/   Safety on the Street - Bicycle Anywhere in Houston .

www.biketexas.org/

www.bicycletexas.com/houston.htm

Houston Bicycle Repair - Cyclone Cycles  4213 Bellaire Blvd Houston Texas  phone 713 668 2104

Sheldon Brown Newton Mass   - http://www.sheldonbrown.org/bicycle.html

www.ms150.org/  The BP MS 150 Bike Tour is a two-day cycling adventure from Houston to Austin that raises funds to help people living with MS.

www.bikemag.com/