Bike plan is taking shape

Engineers have set to work drawing up a plan to improve The Woodlands’ bike and pedestrian network after collecting input from residents and community leaders.

Engineers have set to work drawing up a plan to improve The Woodlands’ bike-and-pedestrian network after collecting input from residents and community leaders.

The Woodlands Township set aside $100,000 last year to hire engineering firm Jones and Carter to compile a comprehensive plan that would fill gaps in the existing pathway network and make roads more bike-friendly.

In January, the firm held a public meeting — which drew more than 100 people — and received more than 1,360 responses to a detailed survey posted on The Woodlands Township’s website.

The 30-question survey asked members of the community about their current walking, running and biking habits, and for recommendations on how to improve the experience. June Farrell, Jones and Carter division manager, said that about 80 percent of the respondents were Woodlands residents.

The public feedback is being combined with the findings of a field study, in which the firm identified areas of concern in the network, including safety, road crossings, abrupt stops and gaps, as well as collaboration with the 16-person steering committee, which includes representatives from each of the village associations, The Woodlands Township, The Woodlands Development Co., the Bike The Woodlands Coalition and Harris County.

Farrell made a presentation to The Woodlands Township board at its January meeting, marking the halfway point in the planmaking process.

She explained that George Mitchell, the founder of The Woodlands, evaluated a number of other communities in the country — including Irvine, California and Reston, Virginia — when creating his vision for this community.

Each of the communities that Mitchell looked to for guidance has created or updated a bike master plan in the last four years, Farrell said.

Engineers will meet with the steering committee again in May and then present a draft plan to The Woodlands Board in June.

The master plan has garnered support from the active and vocal cycling community in The Woodlands, but some residents are wary of the plan.