AUSTIN, TEXAS – Population 950,807
Austin is the first and only city in Texas to be recognized with a Gold Bicycle Friendly Communities Award, and is one of only a handful of cities at the Gold level across the United States. The City of Austin received the award in 2015, and the momentum has continued to grow since then.
Austin’s Strategic Mobility Plan aims to get the city to 50/50 mode share target, which would see 50% of trips made by people driving alone and 50% of trips made by other modes. Part of achieving this target has been the accelerated implementation of the City’s All Ages and Abilities Bicycle Network. A map has been launched by the City to help track progress.
Of the new infrastructure installed in 2020, the Shoal Creek bikeway received special recognition from People for Bikes as one of their top 10 bikeways across the United States in 2020. Always popular among recreational cyclists, this 5.5-mile-long route is now a protected bikeway, making it attractive to all riders. Its construction also closes a gap in the 30-mile Big Loop hike and bike trail around Austin.
But being bicycle-friendly is about more than building bike lanes.
Austin is continuing to expand its bike share system with Council approving the purchase of 125 new e-bikes. These will be added to the existing 200 e-bikes that were part of a 2020 pilot that saw 71% of riders choose e-bikes over conventional bikes.
To further increase the safety of vulnerable road users, City Council also approved a 25-mile per hour speed limit on major roads in 2020.
As the opportunities to commute by bike continue to grow, people in Austin are also using bikes to learn more about the city and connect with their community.
In 2020, more than 400 people joined the Black
History Social Ride. The tour included 12 sites in the city to showcase local Black history, and a map of the route has been shared online for people to participate independently.