Bike Friendly Austin
Jul 18, 2024
With Austin’s scenic Lady Bird Lake trail looping through the heart of downtown and the tranquil Veloway winding through Hill Country landscapes, Austin offers some of the most beautiful urban biking trails in the nation. But the city's ambitions for becoming a true cycling capital are just beginning to unfold. Austin has unveiled a bold plan to construct a massive 1,200-mile "All Ages and Abilities" Network blanketing the metro area with protected bike lanes, neighborhood bikeways, and verdant shared-use paths over the next couple of decades. Let’s roll to learn more about Austin’s current biking infrastructure and bike paths plus the city’s plans to transform into an elite biking community.
Key Takeaways
- Austin has set ambitious goals to build out an extensive 1,200-mile "All Ages and Abilities" (AAA) bicycle network of protected lanes, trails, and low-stress neighborhood routes at an estimated cost of $1.15 billion. This represents a major increase from the original 400-mile vision in the 2014 Bicycle Plan.
- In 2020, Austin voters approved a $460 million bond measure to accelerate expansion of the AAA bike network. The city aims to provide 83% of residents with access to the network by 2025, enabling a projected 16x increase in residents able to bike to transit stations.
- Austin's long-term vision is to transform into an elite cycling city on par with Portland and Seattle by 2039. One main goal includes providing an integrated "mobility web" of cycling routes, urban trails, and improved transit access.
Austin’s Biking Infrastructure
Austin has emerged as a leader among U.S. cities in expanding its bicycle infrastructure in recent years. In 2014, the city adopted an ambitious plan to build a 400-mile "All Ages and Abilities" (AAA) network of protected bike lanes, urban trails, and neighborhood bikeways safe for cyclists of all skill levels.
As of late 2021, Austin had completed 215 miles of this AAA network, over halfway to the original goal. However, the updated 2023 Bicycle Plan dramatically increases Austin's vision to over 1,200 miles of bike facilities at an estimated $1.15 billion cost.
Major infrastructure projects coming up include adding protected bike lanes on key corridors like Airport Blvd, Slaughter Lane, and extending Braker Lane, as well as expanding the urban trail system.
What is the “All Ages and Abilities”(AAA) Network?
The All Ages and Abilities (AAA) Bicycle Priority Network is a planned network of bicycle infrastructure that is designed to be safe, comfortable, and accessible for cyclists of all ages and abilities, including children, seniors, and less confident riders.
The key principles and features of the AAA Bicycle Priority Network include:
<h3>Separation from Motor Vehicle Traffic</h3>
<ul>
<li>Protected bike lanes with physical barriers like curbs, planters, or parked cars separating cyclists from adjacent motor vehicle traffic.</li>
<li>Off-street shared-use paths and urban trails completely separated from roads.</li>
</ul>
<h4>Low-Stress Routes</h4>
<ul>
<li>Routes on neighborhood bikeways with low vehicle speeds and volumes through the use of traffic calming measures.</li>
<li>Avoidance of high-stress roads with fast-moving or heavy motor vehicle traffic.
Network Connectivity</li>
</ul>
<h4>Network Connectivity</h4>
<ul>
<li>A fully connected network providing direct routes between residential areas and key destinations like schools, jobs, transit, parks, etc.</li>
<li>Elimination of gaps or discontinuities in the network that force cyclists into mixed traffic.</li>
</ul>
<h4>Design for All Ages and Abilities</h4>
<ul>
<li>Facilities designed to be comfortable for users of all ages, including children and seniors.</li>
<li>Accommodations for less confident adult cyclists concerned about safety.</li>
</ul>
Top Recreational Biking Trails in Austin
<ol>
<li><strong>Bird Lake Hike and Bike Trail</strong><br>
This 10-mile trail loops around Lady Bird Lake in downtown Austin, offering scenic waterfront views and an urban path perfect for leisurely cycling. It's well-maintained, family-friendly, and one of the most popular recreational trails in the city.</li>
<li><strong>Southern Walnut Creek Trail</strong><br>
Spanning over 7 miles through east Austin neighborhoods, this fully paved trail is designed for uninterrupted recreational cycling. It features some fun creek crossings but is mostly a smooth path through natural surroundings.</li>
<li><strong>Veloway at Circle C Ranch</strong><br>
The 3.1-mile Veloway is a one-way paved loop dedicated solely to cyclists and inline skaters, with no pedestrian traffic allowed. Its 23-foot width allows plenty of room for passing at different speeds.</li>
<li><strong>Brushy Creek Regional Trail</strong><br>
This 6.75-mile trail alternates between paved and hard-packed dirt sections, with the option to take side trails for some light mountain biking. It connects several parks with amenities like bathrooms and picnic areas.</li>
<li><strong>McKinney Falls State Park Trails</strong><br>
The 2.8-mile Onion Creek Hike and Bike Trail offers an easy, hard-packed dirt path for recreational riding through the scenic state park, with opportunities to stop and swim at the falls.</li>
<li><strong>Mueller Lake Park Trail</strong><br>
The trail looping around the small lake in this urban park provides a relaxing paved path for recreational cycling, with playgrounds and open spaces along the way.</li>
</ol>
Future Plans
Austin voters approved a $460 million bond in 2020 to accelerate expansion of the AAA bike network. Once complete, it's projected to enable a 16x increase in the number of residents able to bike to transit stations compared to today.
Looking ahead, Austin aims to raise the percentage of residents biking to work from 1.3% currently to 4% by 2039 by providing an integrated "mobility web" of cycling routes, trails, and improved transit access.
Realizing this vision of becoming an elite cycling city on par with places like Portland and Seattle will require sustained funding and commitment over multiple decades. However, the economic benefits of attracting businesses, reducing congestion, and increasing affordability and sustainability are driving Austin's bike-friendly transformation.
Summary
Austin has emerged as a national leader in expanding bicycle infrastructure through its ambitious plans to build out a 1,200-mile All Ages and Abilities Network over the next decade. With strong voter support for funding like the $460 million 2020 bond, Austin is making a major investment aimed at providing most residents with access to a safe, connected system of protected bike lanes and trails. The overarching vision is to dramatically increase cycling rates and transform Austin into an elite bike-friendly city on par with Portland and Seattle by 2039 through this comprehensive mobility network. While requiring sustained commitment, the economic and sustainability benefits are driving Austin's bike infrastructure transformation.
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