The Christian Science Monitor asks this question. There is concern that some major money is being spent (Austin $250 million, Dallas/Fort Worth $900 million) for infrastructure that will not be used. While this is chump change compared to what is spent on roads for cars and trucks this is a large investment which may not attract the riders.

Like any transit route, the bike paths need a real destination in order to attract the riders. Houston did not spend any amount close to these numbers (and it shows) with little attraction to riders as far as I can tell.

What may interest me will be the proposed bike trails beside flood control bayous managed by the Harris County Flood Control Authority. We will have to wait to see if these ever happen.