BIKELAWSSUPPORT BIKING

IN HOUSTON

www.bikehouston.orgA Bicycle Advocacy Nonprofit

Join BikeHouston to add your voice to our push for more safe places to

ride your bike.

832.819.2453 | info@bikehouston.orgBike Safe. Bike Smart.

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State of Texas Bicycle Laws

§ 551.101. RIGHTS AND DUTIESA person operating a bicycle has the rights and duties applicable to a driver operating a vehicle under this subtitle, unless:

(1) a provision of this chapter alters a right or duty; or(2) a right or duty applicable to a driver operating a vehicle cannot by its nature apply to a person operating a bicycle.

§ 551.103. OPERATION ON ROADWAY

(a) Except as provided by Subsection (b), a person operating a bicycle on a roadway who is moving slower than the other traffic on the roadway shall ride as near as practicable to the right curb or edge of the roadway unless:

(1) the person is passing another vehicle moving in the same direction;

(2) the person is preparing to turn left at an intersection or onto a private road or driveway;

(3) a condition on or of the roadway, including a fixed or moving object, parked or moving vehicle, pedestrian, animal, or surface hazard prevents the person from safely riding next to the right curb or edge of the roadway; or

(4) the person is operating a bicycle in an outside lane that is:(A) less than 14 feet in width and does not have a designated bicycle lane adjacent to that lane; or

(B) too narrow for a bicycle and a motor vehicle to safely travel side by side

(b) A person operating a bicycle on a one-way roadway with two or more marked traffic lanes may ride as near as practicable to the left curb or edge of the roadway.

(c) Persons operating bicycles on a roadway may ride two abreast. Persons riding two abreast on a laned roadway shall ride in a single lane. Persons riding two abreast may not impede the normal and reasonable flow of trafic on the roadway. Persons may not ride more than two abreast unless they are riding on a part of the roadway set aside for the exclusive operation of bicycles.

Houston City Ordinance No. 95-813Children under the age of 18 who operate or ride on a bicycle or any side car, trailer, child carrier, seat or other device attached to a bicycle must wear a bicycle helmet.

BIKEHOUSTON:A MAP

Join the Movement: www.bikehouston.org

RIDESAFE

Tips for Route Planning

Hand Signals

Start by looking at a map and consider using online tools like Google Maps with the bicycle layer or Strava heat map.

Many prefer riding on neighborhood streets with low traffic whenever possible.

Consider that typically the best bike route is different than the best car route.

Test out new routes during daylight, non-rush hour times.

Always ride with a helmet and lights, and predictably.

The map provided contains old data. You may find conditions have changed. Many routes are on high-traffic streets you may not feel comfortable riding on.

Proper hand signaling helps drivers, pedestrians, and other bikers know your intentions, keeping you and other road users safe.

Follow the Law. You have the same rights and duties as drivers. Always ride with traffic, in the rightmost lane headed in the direction you are going. This may be the left lane if you are turning left. Cyclists breaking the law causes death.

Be Predictable. Make your intentions clear to everyone on the road. Ride in a straight line and don’t swerve between cars. Signal and check behind you well before changing your lane position.

Be Visible. Use bright white lights on front of your bicycle and bright red lights on back in addition to reflectors. Wear bright, reflective clothing in low light conditions, but also during the day.

Think Ahead. Plan your route carefully to avoid dangerous streets. Narrow, busy or fast streets are particularly dangerous. Ride outside the door zone and anticipate drivers’ next moves, as well as road hazards.

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4.BikeHouston is working to make it safer and more fun to ride your bike. In 2015 we are planning for all bike infrastructure with the city. Join us to ensure we get a politically and publicly supported plan whose projects will be funded. www.bikehouston.org

Left Turn: Raise left arm to a horizontal

postiion.

Right Turn: Raise right arm to a horizontal

postiion.

5.Ride Ready. Check that your tires are properly inflated, brakes are working, chain runs smoothly and quick release levers are closed. Leave the earplugs and mobile phone off while cycling. Fewer distractions and the ability to listen will reduce your risk substantially. Always wear a helmet.

TRAFFICLAWS

Ride as far to the right as practicable, in the same direction as other traffic. “Practicable” does not mean “possible.” Stay out of the gutter and leave yourself enough room to avoid hazards, including parked cars with open doors.

A cyclist may ride in the middle of a lane (take the lane) that is less than 14 feet wide or is too narrow to safely share with a motor vehicle. Cyclists may ride two abreast when taking a lane on a multilane roadway. Persons riding two abreast may not impede the normal and reasonable flow of traffic on the roadway.

A cyclist should ride in the proper lane to make a turn or otherwise negotiate an intersection. That is usually the rightmost lane that goes to your destination.

A cyclist may ride to the left side on a one-way roadway.

A cyclist must stop and yield at stop signs and traffic lights just as motor vehicles do.

A cyclist must have and use a white light on the front of the bike and a red reflector or red light on the back when riding in the dark.

If only one brake is working, it should be on the back wheel to avoid pitching the rider over the handlebars.

Vehicles, including bicycles, are prohibited from racing on public roads. There are specific allowances for sanctioned bike races that are approved by local law enforcement.

Always carry Texas I.D. or driver license when operating a bicycle on public roads.

Use hand and arm signals.

Houston Traffic Code Section 45-032

CHAPTER 45 - TRAFFIC, ART. XII - SEC. 45-44. VULNERABLE ROAD USERS. (Vulnerable users - include bicyclists, pedestrians, and more)

This ordinance dictates safe passing. Safe passing distance means:

(1) While passing, a separation between a motor vehicle and a vulnerable road user that, when all road, traffic and weather conditions are considered, provides the motorist sufficient space and time to avoid a collision with a vulnerable road user but, in any event, not less than 3 feet if the operator’s vehicle is a

passenger car or light truck and not less than 6 feet if the operator’s

vehicle is a truck (other than a light truck) or a commercial vehicle as defined by Texas Transportation Code Section 522.003; or

(2) While trailing, a separation between a motor vehicle and a vulnerable road user that, when all road, traffic and weather conditions are considered, provides the motorist sufficient space and time to avoid a collision with a vulnerable road user.

Houston, Texas, Code of Ordinances

No person shall ride a bicycle upon a sidewalk in the City of Houston within a business district or where prohibited by a sign. A business district is defined as “the territory contiguous to and including a roadway when, within 600 feet along such roadway, there are buildings in use for business or industrial purpose which occupy 300 feet collectively on both sides of the roadway.”

MontroseDistrict.org

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LAWS & SAFETY

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PLACES OF INTEREST

GUADALUPE PLAZA PARK

THE MENIL COLLECTION / ROTHKO CHAPEL

WE LOVE HOUSTON SCULPTURE

HOUSTON MUSEUM OFNATURAL SCIENCE (HMNS)

MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS HOUSTON

DISCOVERY GREEN

HOUSTON ZOO

BIKE SHOPS

COLLEGES /UNIVERSITIES

Don't like something on your route? Can't find a good way to ride? Or is information missing?

BikeHouston, the City of Houston and partners are planning the future of bikeways in Houston in 2015. Visit www.bikehouston.org to find information about the plan and add your voice. We make progress as people with bikes join together with BH to ask for change.THE USER OF THIS MAP BEARS FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR HIS OR HER OWN SAFETY. CONDITIONS MAY VARY AND STEPS MUST BE TAKEN TO EVALUATE BIKEWAYS AND CONDITIONS. USE BIKEWAYS APPROPRIATE TO YOUR SKILL LEVEL. ALL CHILDREN 17 YEARS OF AGE AND UNDER MUST WEAR A HELMET.

MAP DATA FROM CITY OF HOUSTON BIKEWAYS, H-GAC, AND GOOGLE.

B-CYCLE STATIONS

METRO RAIL STOPS

SHARED-USE TRAIL

BIKE LANE

SIGNED BIKE ROUTE

METRO RAIL

2015 RAIL EXPANSION

2015 SHARED-USE TRAIL

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