Austin Adds Bike Lanes Along Congress Avenue

AUSTIN, TX — Bicyclists wanting to get out during the coronavirus pandemic can now pedal along Congress Avenue on temporary protected bike lanes recently approved by Austin City Council members.

The move styled as Item 51 on the June 11 agenda allows for social distancing as residents use the lanes to travel along the key roadway and into the downtown area. The council initiative sponsored council member Kathie Tovo called for the establishment of temporary northbound and southbound protected bicycle lanes on Congress Avenue north of Riverside Drive.

The council item also directed the city manager to provide recommendations to council for scaling down and/or retaining the protected bike lanes when social distancing is no longer needed.

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“During this COVID-19 crisis, our community needs to be able to experience the health benefits of outdoor exercise while maintaining a safe distance," Tovo said in a prepared statement. "This idea came from community advocacy organizations including Bike Austin, and I was proud to bring it forward to promote a safer, healthier Austin.”

Adam Greenfield, board member of Bike Austin, lauded the move: “Bike Austin is thrilled to support this crucial step in making bicycling Downtown safer for all ages and abilities during these difficult times and beyond,” he said in a prepared statement. “With ridership at a historic high, we've seen bicycling’s importance in addressing the challenges of COVID-19. We applaud city council for making this historic decision.”