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West Alabama Bike Lanes Widened to 10 Feet |
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Written by Lorin Gaertner
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Wednesday, 07 May 2003 |
In a surprise move Monday night, City of Houston contractors began resurfacing and widening the bicycle lane on West Alabama between Woodhead and Weslayan. Although rumors indicated that the bike lane would be removed, many cyclists were delighted to find that not only was the once-pothole-strewn lane patched and smoother than ever, but it also is now wide enough to allow a bicyclist to safely avoid obstacles, such as slippery manhole covers or debris.
To be clear, the new lane is a multi-purpose lane that motorists may also use; it is not a "designated" bicycle lane.
Many people assume that by removing the designated bicycle lane, cyclists have been forced off West Alabama. Certainly, that seems to have been the City's intention.
However, Texas transportation law and bike safety experts agree that bicyclists may -- and should -- ride on the road like any other vehicle. Except when turning left or overtaking a slower vehicle, bicyclists should stay in the right outside lane. When this outside lane is less than 14 feet wide a cyclist need not -- and according to safety experts, should not -- hug the shoulder.
The correct bicycle position is near the center of the lane. The new West Alabama lanes certainly qualify as too narrow to share with another vehicle. At less than 10 feet in width (west of Shepherd) they don't even fit a METRO bus with its mirrors. This raises serious concern about whether wide vehicles like METRO buses can safely or legally pass a cyclist in this stretch of West Alabama.
All road users need to realize that the right outside lane has become the de facto bike lane on West Alabama. At any time of day or night you will find cyclists using this lane to access the businesses, schools, churches and residences that make West Alabama a unique neighborhood street.
Motorists who find themselves behind a bicyclist appropriately riding in this "bike lane" should slow down and wait for a safe and legal opportunity to pass the cyclist in the other lane. If they find sharing the street inconvenient, motorists are encouraged to take alternate routes, such as the Southwest Freeway, where bicycle traffic won't slow them down.
TIPS FOR CYCLISTS
Cyclists accustomed to riding in the narrow (2-3 foot wide) bike lane on West Alabama may at first feel uncomfortable using the wider (9'9" to 10'6") mixed-use lanes now in place. To help them get comfortable using this lane appropriately, BikeHouston offers the following tips:
* Know your rights. A bicyclist is not required to share a lane when it is unsafe to do so. The Texas Transportation Code says that any road under 14 feet in width is not wide enough to share with another vehicle. Bicycling on a sidewalk is prohibited by City of Houston Ordinance "within a business district". Most of West Alabama qualifies as a business district. Besides being illegal, sidewalk riding is also extremely dangerous and highly impractical (see photo)  .
* Obey the rules of the road at all times. You can't expect other road users to take you seriously if you flaunt the law.
* Make sure you are visible, particularly at night. By law, you need a white headlight and a red light or reflector when bicycling at night.
* If a METRO bus passes within three feet of you, it is passing too close. Call METRO at (713)658-0180. Give them the details required to track down the operator including the route, direction, date and time as well as the four-digit bus number, when possible.
* If a motorist harasses you (e.g. yells or honks) but does not put you in danger, simply wave and smile. Do not confront the driver. On the other hand, a motorist who brushes past, threatens to hit you with his or her vehicle, or actually does hit you, should be reported to the Houston Police Department at (713) 222-3131. Insist on making a report. Try to note as many details as possible, particularly the vehicle license number and a description of the driver.
* Enroll in an Effective Cycling course offered through BikeHouston. This two-day course for adult bicyclists teaches bicycle safety knowledge and skills, including emergency maneuvres that can get you out of a tight spot. Email
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for course dates.
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