Houston Begins Removing Austin Street Bike Lane, Drawing Safety Concerns

The city defends the removal of the protected bike lane as part of a street rehabilitation project, citing maintenance needs and community feedback.

Crews began dismantling the Austin Street bike lane on March 31, 2025, without prior public notice, sparking criticism from cycling advocates.
The city plans to replace the protected bike lane with sharrows, which indicate shared use of the road by cyclists and motorists but lack physical separation.
City officials cited complaints about the bike lane's impact on parking, trash collection, and fire station training as key factors behind the decision.
Cycling advocates argue that sharrows compromise safety and undermine Houston's active transportation network, particularly on a route connecting Hermann Park and Buffalo Bayou.
The project is part of a broader street rehabilitation effort, including repaving and infrastructure upgrades, and is expected to be completed by summer 2025.