{"id":30503,"date":"2015-08-05T23:19:15","date_gmt":"2015-08-06T04:19:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.texbiker.net\/blog\/?p=30503"},"modified":"2015-08-06T12:56:26","modified_gmt":"2015-08-06T17:56:26","slug":"texas-bicycling-news-digest-august-5th-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.texbiker.net\/blog\/2015\/08\/05\/texas-bicycling-news-digest-august-5th-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Texas Bicycling News Digest August 5th"},"content":{"rendered":"

Houston Bicyclists Not Overrunning Downtown Bike Lane Just Yet<\/a><\/h2>\n

By: Florian Martin
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\nDowntown Houston\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s first bike lane was opened back in March, and so far, it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s a bit lonely. Officials say more construction needs to happen before more cyclists use it.
\nI stop Michael Abramowitz riding on the green bike lane on Lamar Street on a busy Wednesday afternoon.
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I cut through downtown every single day,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he says. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153And I use it every single day on my work to work.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d
\nHe says the lane makes part of his commute a lot safer.
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Houston is a death trap for cyclists. So anything that makes a zone for cyclists is a big plus in my book.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d
\nAbramowitz is one of only two cyclists riding the lane in about 30 minutes.
\nMichael Payne, executive director of Bike Houston, a bike advocacy group, says the reason why the lane isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t that …<\/p>\n

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Pedestrian Bridge Hike and Bike Trail Project<\/a><\/h2>\n

www.texasbids.net
\nBid Date & Time: 08\/19\/15 2:00 PM
\nOwner Solic Number: 1507-05\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0Status: bidding\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0Report: 6489091
\nCountry : United States\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 State: TX\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 County: Harris\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0Location: Baytown
\nScope: Pedestrian bridge hike and bike trail.
\nPlans: From Owner.
\nBond: 10% bid bond
\nOwner Type: Public
\nBuyer: Baytown, City of
\nAddress: PO Box 424 2401 Market Street, Room 120, City Hall
\nCity: Baytown\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0State: TX\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0Zip\/Postal Code: 77520
\nTEL: 281-422-8281
\nWebsite: http:\/\/www.baytown.org …<\/p>\n

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Biking still popular transportation<\/a><\/h2>\n

By: Neil Abeles – Texarkana Gazette<\/h3>\n

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\nStaff photo by Neil Abeles Michael Addington, left, and Levi Roberts ride their bikes even in the heat of the summer day. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You can always catch a breeze,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Michael, a student at Texas A&M University\u00e2\u20ac\u201cTexarkana, said.
\nIt may be hot but not too hot to keep from riding a bike\u00e2\u20ac\u201dif you are in some kind of healthy physical shape, that is.
\nFor those of us who are, summertime is bike ti…<\/p>\n

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Bicycling safety concerns at North Central Park<\/a><\/h2>\n

By: Valerie Gonzalez\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0www.kgns.tv<\/h3>\n

Video<\/h3>\n

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\nLAREDO, TEXAS (KGNS) – Laredoans use public parks to go for walks, rides, and enjoy time outside.
\nBut one man is concerned about cyclists and their speed.
\nHe reached out to KGNS to see how this public safety concern can be addressed.
\nNorth Central Park is 31-acres wide featuring parks, a swimming pool, and trails for families to enjoy.
\nBut one man says he’s worried about small children and the elderly in the way of cyclists going quickly down the trails.
\nFrom young to old, thousands of Laredoans enjoy the trails, trees, and …<\/p>\n

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THOMAS TAYLOR PARKWAY: Missouri City Honors Celebrated African American County Commissioner with New Road<\/a><\/h2>\n

Written by\u00c2\u00a0 Jeffrey L. Boney\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0forwardtimesonline.com<\/h3>\n

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\nThe City of Missouri City recently held a special ribbon cutting ceremony for Thomas Taylor Parkway, an approximately $2.5 million, Fort Bend County-funded extension of Lexington Boulevard from Texas Parkway to Scanlin Road south of the City Hall complex.
\nThe new road is named after Thomas Lane Taylor, the first African American Fort Bend County Commissioner who served during Reconstruction. Members of Mr. Taylor\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s family, including Fort Bend County Sgt. Eurel Taylor, were present at the ribbon cutting.<\/p>\n

…”The vision of the plan is to create a safe and comfortable pedestrian and bicycle friendly environment in the City that encourages people of all ages to walk and bike for everyday transportation and enjoyment,” Mayor Owen said. “Providing a bicycle lane allows less experienced cyclists additional comfort of not having to share a lane with a vehicle, allows the cyclist to ride at a comfortable speed and encourages a position within the roadway where cyclists are more likely to be seen by motorists.” …<\/p>\n

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Crimestoppers run and Hale on Wheels join<\/a><\/h2>\n

By HOMER MARQUEZ\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0www.myplainview.com<\/h3>\n

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\nTwo of Plainview’s favorite endurance events will now be on the same bill in 2015. The Hale on Wheels cycling ride and the Crimestoppers Color Fun Freedom Run will stride and pedal side by side during the 17th annual Cowboy Days Celebration Sept. 19.
\n“This year we’ll be working alongside the Hale on Wheels bike ride. It’s going to be fun.” said Manuel Balderas, a Plainview police detective and an organizer for the Freedom Run.
\nFor years, proceeds raised from the run have gone to support the Plainview Crimestoppers organization, which …<\/p>\n