Houston's Long-Term Bike Plan Hit With Setback

HOUSTON, TX — It's been in the works for a while, but approval of the city's comprehensive plan for improving and building out bicycle paths and lanes was delayed this week when officials brought up concerns.

Houston City Council members Dave Martin, Mike Knox, Greg Travis, Michael Kubosh, and Steve Le "tagged" the proposal on Wednesday morning, an action that delayed the plan's passage by at least two weeks.

The goal of the plan being pushed by supporters is a network of 468 miles of paths in the next 10 years, the Houston Chronicle reported. That would make Houston a gold-level city under League of American Bicyclists ratings.

Some observers, however, have expressed concern about the less-than-final routes in Houston's bike plan.

“These lines are conceptual and not totally finalized,” Councilman Mike Laster said during discussions on Wednesday.

The council's next meeting is on March 23, the bike plan's next opportunity for approval.

— Image courtesy bikehouston.org