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Throughout May, the City of College Station has celebrated National Bike Month, shining a spotlight on the immense personal, health, and community benefits of life on two wheels.
As part of this year’s festivities, the City hosted its annual Cycle with Council event. The unique ride brought residents, City Council members, and staff together to explore sections of College Station’s growing active transportation network. It provided a firsthand look at recent infrastructure projects — such as our protected bike lanes and shared-use paths — that make walking and bicycling safer and more accessible for everyone.
National Bike Month was established in 1956 to promote cycling as a healthy, sustainable, and enjoyable form of transportation and recreation. In College Station, that mission has deep roots.
Our history of bicycle planning dates to the late 1970s, when the City developed its very first bicycle plan to create safer routes for students and residents commuting to and from the Texas A&M campus. Since then, the City has steadily invested in facilities that support recreational riders and daily commuters. Those efforts recently led to College Station being named a Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists.
Expanding Our Network
Today, College Station boasts more than 120 miles of bicycle facilities, including dedicated lanes, designated routes, and shared-use paths. But we aren’t stopping there.
The City is advancing its Active Transportation Master Plan, a forward-thinking initiative designed to significantly enhance connectivity and accessibility across the community. By combining modern transportation analysis tools with community feedback, the plan proposes 259 additional miles of dedicated bicycle facilities and 387 miles of sidewalks.
The massive effort ensures that residents of all ages and abilities have access to safer, lower-stress travel options.
Whether you’re commuting to campus, exploring our scenic shared-use paths, or just enjoying a weekend cruise with family, National Bike Month is the perfect time to get moving. College Station is proud to build a safer, more connected community one mile at a time. So, dust off your helmet, pump up your tires, and we’ll see you out on the trails!
Bike Safety Reminders
Before you hit the pavement, keep these essential safety tips in mind to ensure a smooth, confident ride:
- Check Your Gear: Perform a basic ABC check (Air, Brakes, Chain) before every ride.
- Protect Yourself: Always wear a properly fitted helmet.
- Be Visible: Wear bright or reflective clothing and always use lights and reflectors when riding at night.
- Follow the Rules: Obey all traffic signs and signals just like a motorist.
- Communicate: Use predictable hand signals for turns and stops so drivers know your intentions.
- Stay Comfortable: Wear weather-appropriate clothing and remember to stay hydrated.
About the Blogger
Joseph Allen is in his second year as staff transportation and mobility planner. He previously worked as a regional transportation planner for the Brazos Valley Council of Governments. Joseph earned a bachelor’s degree in anthropology and archaeology from the University of California-Santa Barbara (2019) and a master’s in urban planning from Texas A&M (2023).
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