Houston Cycling Community Wants Bike Racks on Busses

BikeHouston, Citizen’s Transportation Coalition, Texas Bicycle Coalition and other partner organizations are working with local government officials to urge the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (Harris County Metro) to put bike racks on Houston city busses. Organizers feel they’re making good progress on this critical issue, but they need more help from local cyclists.

State Senator Rodney Ellis (D-Houston) and his staff have been working for the last two months to bring this dormant issue back to the front burner, by speaking with Harris County Metro officials and other elected colleagues with input from Texas Bicycle Coalition and BikeHouston leaders.

Bike Racks on Busses supporters recently addressed Houston City Council and the Harris County Commissioners’ Court. Several county commissioners expressed strong support for the bike racks on busses project.

At Houston City Council on May 2, many members agreed that Harris County Metro’s bike rack program is long overdue. Eight council members offered to write letters and/or call Metro board members directly. One member had spoken with Capital Metro, Austin’s transit agency, to hear how successful Austin’s bike rack program has been and to learn how Austin has resolved many of the same issues that concern Harris County Metro.

Those with cable in the Houston area, can watch the rebroadcast of the Council session on The Municipal Channel (TWC-16) on May 4 around 9:00 pm and again on May 6 around 8:00 am and 2:00 pm. (Coverage starts earlier but the group’s presentations are about 2 hours in.)

The organizations that have voiced their support for bike racks on buses include BikeHouston, Citizen’s Transportation Coalition, the Greater Houston Partnership, the Quality of Life Coalition, Texas Bicycle Coalition and REI. Working together is key, and Texas Bicycle Coalition is glad to support the Houston cycling community in this effort.

How can you help? If you live in Houston, please write your Houston Mayor and Council Members and voice your support for bike racks on Harris County Metro busses.