Initial Impressions of Houston
When I learned I would live in Houston for 4-6 months, I was non-plussed. Having grown up in Portland, Oregon, all I heard about was how we had to make this or that regulation in Portland because we didn't want to END UP LIKE HOUSTON. In June, we even opted out of a side trip to Houston because we had heard it described as a "Garbage Pit."
After three weeks, it is time for some initial impressions. Two words: BIKE FRIENDLY.
Yep, BIKE FRIENDLY. I used to commute to work in Portland and there were bike paths practically from my house door to my office door, but my experience by bike in this, the fourth largest city in the country, has far out shined my Portland experience.
Why you ask?
It's very simple: They have "Bike Routes." There are a few bike lanes on busy roads here, but mostly, as a cyclist, I find myself either on a dedicated bike path OFF the main road, or on a "Bike Route" on neighborhood streets. Because of this I do not have to get uncomfortably close to city buses or automobiles and I can just ride like the wind.
Speaking of cars, they are mostly polite to me here. No honking, cursing and veering like you get in Portland. Apparently, bikes are not public enemy number one to drivers. We coexist.
That's not to say that everything is love and roses. You still get the occasional a-hole, but in general I feel MUCH safer biking here than in Portland, where your "Bike Lane" is drawn on the busiest streets with city buses- leading to an annoying and unsafe weaving in and out of bus versus bike.
Houston has also built road infrastructure. They do have traffic jams here, though I was able to drive a friend's car across the city in just 50 minutes during rush hour. Traffic still moves through the arterials here, which means there are fewer cars on my bike route, AKA the neighborhood streets.
I haven't done any research on how Houston compares with Portland traffic-wise, or on how many more or fewer cars there are on neighborhood streets, but in my initial three week, 6 mile radius experience, this place ROCKS! (I did make it 10 miles from home on the bike one time...)
Within 6 miles, I can bike to groceries, work, cool places to hang out and even get clothing and other goods and services. I could almost live here completely car free - except that I like to head into the countryside from time to time and cases of carbonated water are heavy...
After three weeks, it is time for some initial impressions. Two words: BIKE FRIENDLY.
Yep, BIKE FRIENDLY. I used to commute to work in Portland and there were bike paths practically from my house door to my office door, but my experience by bike in this, the fourth largest city in the country, has far out shined my Portland experience.
Why you ask?
It's very simple: They have "Bike Routes." There are a few bike lanes on busy roads here, but mostly, as a cyclist, I find myself either on a dedicated bike path OFF the main road, or on a "Bike Route" on neighborhood streets. Because of this I do not have to get uncomfortably close to city buses or automobiles and I can just ride like the wind.
Speaking of cars, they are mostly polite to me here. No honking, cursing and veering like you get in Portland. Apparently, bikes are not public enemy number one to drivers. We coexist.
That's not to say that everything is love and roses. You still get the occasional a-hole, but in general I feel MUCH safer biking here than in Portland, where your "Bike Lane" is drawn on the busiest streets with city buses- leading to an annoying and unsafe weaving in and out of bus versus bike.
Houston has also built road infrastructure. They do have traffic jams here, though I was able to drive a friend's car across the city in just 50 minutes during rush hour. Traffic still moves through the arterials here, which means there are fewer cars on my bike route, AKA the neighborhood streets.
I haven't done any research on how Houston compares with Portland traffic-wise, or on how many more or fewer cars there are on neighborhood streets, but in my initial three week, 6 mile radius experience, this place ROCKS! (I did make it 10 miles from home on the bike one time...)
Within 6 miles, I can bike to groceries, work, cool places to hang out and even get clothing and other goods and services. I could almost live here completely car free - except that I like to head into the countryside from time to time and cases of carbonated water are heavy...
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