Texas Bicycling News for November 9, 2023
OPINION: Austin’s $11.3 million investment in MetroBike program would better serve other transit programs
Tate Burchfield | www.hilltopviewsonline.com
Students at St. Edward’s and residents of Austin alike mount bicycles to traverse the city. Despite Austin’s claims of being a green city, cyclists find the city expressly difficult to ride in. The city attempts to alleviate these hurdles with new policies such as the MetroBike program.
The Texas Department of Transportation announced the list of recipients for the Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside Programs (TASA) grant on Oct. 26. It included a $11.3 million award for the City of Austin to expand its current MetroBike bike share program.
While this is a landmark step in terms of funding for public transportation, the decision to invest in the bike share program was inherently inequitable. The promotion of this mode of transit excludes those with physical disabilities impeding them from riding such bikes, and does not attempt to improve the infrastructure for those who depend on pedestrian and cycling transportation.
The announcement of the dispersed funds comes after the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) announced last December that they were searching for …
Tour de Southern Walnut Creek Trail November 14 2023 https://t.co/rMuqX5cohe #Meetup via @Meetup
— Rick Ankrum (@texbiker) November 9, 2023
— Rick Ankrum (@texbiker) November 10, 2023
Cyclist dies in highway wreck
www.jacksonvilleprogress.com
A Frankston man is dead after his bicycle was struck while traveling Tuesday on US 175.
The deceased was identified as Russell Warrington, 67, of Frankston.
The accident happened at 12:35 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 7, according to a preliminary report from the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Warrington, on a bicycle, was stationary in the eastbound lane of US 175, when he was struck by a pickup truck. The driver of the truck was uninjured.
The investigation is ongoing.
Upcoming Rides
Fort Worth Bicycling Association | www.fwbaclub.org
Rusty Romp Thu, November 16, 2023 9:00 AM Benbrook YMCA, 1899 Winscott Road, Benbrook, TX 76126 https://www.fwbaclub.org/event-5470265
Anna May Daulton Joe Pool Lake – Rusty Chain Gang Sat, November 18, 2023 9:00 AM Grand Prairie, Texas https://www.fwbaclub.org/event-5470277
Kingsville kids ride off with surprise gift
By: Makaylah Chavez | www.kristv.com
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Smiles and giggles were seen and heard at Harvey Elementary School on Thursday morning as second graders received free bikes.
1PointFive, a carbon removal technology company partnered with the non-profit Wish for Wheels and the King Ranch to build over 300 bikes for area second graders.
As KRIS 6 previously reported, 1PointFive is bringing the world’s largest direct air capture facility to Kingsville. Their mission is to green, and what better place to start than with the kids?
“A bike at this age signals a lot of independence,” Director of Projects Trey Fournier said. "The kids that …