Safe Bicycling (Houston, The Woodlands, Katy: neighborhoods, dangerous, moving to)

[cubssoxfan]

Thinking of moving to Woodlands or West Houston/Katy just west of George Bush Park and south of I-10. Would like to start from my driveway and be able to cycle local streets and roads. Also like finding paved/dirt/gravel paths to bike on. It seems W.H/Katy would work. The area around the Kelliwood and N.E Cinco Ranch has interconnected neighborhoods and some through streets that are lower traffic volume. Also seems great area for access to Bear Creek, Cullen Park, G. Bush and Terry Hershey. Also discovered there are plans to interconnect all of these paths.

Woodlands seems to have some roads with wide shoulders and lower traffic volumes. Also noticed Goodrich Jones State Park which might offer good cycling opportunities. Can't determine if you can safely ride their from Woodlands. Are there any accesible country roads left near the Woodlands that would be safe?

Please bear in mind that my road riding probably is weekend only to avoid rush hour risks.

Thanks much!

[EasilyAmused]

Being a cyclist, I found The Woodlands dangerous for on road riding and hazardous on the pathways (joggers, leashed dogs and walkers with headphones). Drivers really didn't know how to handle bikes on the shoulders and the intersections were hairy. So many bikers were hit at them by left-turner-on redders not paying attention and yeilding to the biker.I stayed off the county road and said silent prayers for those that insisted on riding 2978. YIKES!

West Houston isn't great for street riding at all because of all the potholes and hazards on the shoulder, however, the pathway system is fantastic. The interconnecting pathways make for a great, peaceful and green ride along the bayou. Water and open showers along the way. I know people do make it through Bush Park to Terry Hershey, and I think Katy has plans to improve their side of the trail system.