Bicycle Friendly Community
Becoming a Bicycle Friendly Community
The Woodlands was the first suburban community in Texas to receive Bicycle Friendly Community status from the League of American Bicyclists in November 2011. Coalition members were instrumental in fostering The Woodlands’s initial application. In fact, the Coalition began as a conversation in 2009 among three cyclists, one of whom asked “why isn’t The Woodlands a Bicycle Friendly Community?”
The Woodlands renewed its Bronze-level designation in November 2015 and June 2020.
Texas now boasts over twelve designated communities. Larger metro areas include Austin, San Antonio and Houston.
In August 2013, the Coalition and Bicycle Advisory Task Force developed eight core recommendations to establish The Woodlands as a community that promotes safe transportation for anyone wanting to travel by bicycle (see below).
Bike Friendly Community Report Cards
The League of American Cyclists produces a report card each time a community receives a Bike Friendly designation. Explore these report cards for The Woodlands Township.
2011
2015
2020
How do we get to silver?
Eight Core Recommendations
Continued protection, expansion, and improvement of the pathway network and major roadway bicycle infrastructure (bike lanes, shared roadways, and designated shoulders)
Form Permanent Bicycle Advisory Committee
Develop Comprehensive Bicycle Plan - Adopted in 2016
Encourage additional community events that incorporate bicycles (in progress including Bike to Work Day/Bike The Woodlands Day)
Provide additional Township staff time on bicycle related tasks
Encourage and develop bicycle education training opportunities for school children and others
Conduct public awareness campaign for motorists and bicyclists
Expand activities during bike month (May)
Key Concerns
In addition to seeking national recognition as a bike-friendly community, Bike The Woodlands has outlined our key concerns and highest priorities for making our hometown a safe and welcoming place for everyone to ride their bikes.
Create major commuting corridors.
Create and maintain major East-West (from I-45 to SH 2978) and North-South (SH 242 to Creekside) bicycle friendly corridors.
Connect bicycle-friendly with business-friendly.
Bikes are good for business. Savvy companies seeking to a young, engaged workforce locate in areas with bicycle friendly commuting options. Workers who bike to work are healthier, leading to reduced health care and insurance costs. Property values are increased by proximity to bike paths. Retailers and restaurants in bicycle friendly areas benefit from post-ride refreshment seekers. Bike-friendly spaces establish an “urban oasis” sense of community. Smaller retail purchases but more frequent return visits fosters merchant-customer loyalty. Fewer cars lead to reduced parking lot congestion.
Become even more
“bike friendly.”
We want to go further, with AASHTO-approved safe bike lanes, protected bike lanes, and safer road surfaces. Our existing pathways are NOT the answer: the mixture of strollers, skaters, runners and walkers creates a high risk of collisions and injuries.
Protect what we have left.
Stop widening roads at the expense of the shoulders. Major parts of Woodlands Parkway and Research Forest no longer have road shoulders. We fear the same treatment of Lake Woodlands Drive. Many areas with the highest employment/retail density are inaccessible by road shoulders.
Incorporate “Complete Streets” planning in all new transit and transportation projects.
Many employees reside within ten miles of the major medical, technology, retail, and office employment centers in The Woodlands. “Complete streets” planning incorporates access for cars, bikes, and pedestrians. We hope employers will encourage bike commuting to work, which enhances wellness and lessens traffic congestion.
