The city of Austin, Texas, has developed a network of Cycleways, including bike lanes, shared-use paths, and dedicated urban trails. With its growing population, Austin has actively expanded its cycling infrastructure to promote alternative transportation and reduce vehicular congestion.

History Austin’s efforts to enhance cycling infrastructure began in the late 20th century, with early bike lanes introduced as part of the city’s commitment to multimodal transportation. In 1994 the City Council created a Bicycle Program in the Department of Transportation and Public Works. The first Austin Bicycle Plan was passed in 1996 (Part I) and 1997 (Part II).

In 2009 the plan added of lanes bringing the proposed total to . The 2014 update to the plan marked a significant shift toward expanding dedicated cycleways across the city, aiming to create a safe and connected network for cyclists of all ages and skill levels. The 2023 plan dramatically increased the netwark with an estimated cost of $1.15 billion.

Bicycle infrastructure and policies In 2009 Austin earned gold status as a Bicycle Friendly Community. In 2024, Austin was ranked number 750 out of 2579 cities (71st percentile) by People for Bikes

Austin continues to expand its cycleway network through the city’s Active Transportation and Street Design Division. Infrastructure developments include:

Protected bike lanes with physical barriers to separate cyclists from vehicular traffic. Neighborhood bikeways featuring traffic-calming measures to enhance safety. Bike parking facilities and repair stations across the city. Bike-friendly public transit options, including bike racks on Capital Metro buses and designated bike areas on commuter trains.

Cycleways

The cycleways included in this list are drawn from the City of Austin, Texas Urban Trails Program.

The 2023 Urban Trails Plan identified: 68 miles of existing trails.

+ Austin Cycleways Cycleway Image Length Status Construction RouteAustin to Manor Trailnone Completeconcrete path, wide Starts near Daffan Lane and ends near Ben E. Fisher Park in Manor, Texas. Connects to Southern Walnut Creek Trail and follows the proposed Capital Metro green line. Bergstrom Spur none Under Construction (est. Summer 2027) 8 – 13 foot-wide concrete path. Connects Vinson Drive in south Austin to East Riverside Drive and US-183 in southeast Austin.Blunn Creek TrailnoneProposedSoil, ConcreteFrom Woodward St to E Oltorf St along Blunn CreekChesterfield Ave ConnectornoneProposedUndecidedRuns along Waller Creek from Denson Dr to Avenue D. Colorado River TrailnoneOver ProposedConcreteRuns along both sides of Colorado River from Longhorn Dam to 130.Country Club Creek Trail none Partially Complete12-foot-wide, off-street concrete path with grassy, tree-shaded shoulders From Mabel Davis Park to Roy G. Guerrero Metro Park on the south-east side of Lady Bird Lake.Eastlink none Partially Complete Mix of concrete shared-use path, protected bike lanes along urban streets and crushed granite thru parks. Connects Bartholomew Park to the north-east shore of Lady Bird Lake Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail Complete Mostly crushed granite. A few lengths of concrete and a boardwalk on the South-side of the lake A loop around Lady Bird Lake in Downtown Austin, TX, from the pedestrian bridge under MoPac expressway to the Longhorn damn. Howard Ln Trail Complete Concrete Shared Use Path along Arterial Street IH 35 To Dessau Rd Johnson Creek Trail Complete Concrete path From north-east shore of Lady Bird Lake to Enfield Road. LAB Complete Combination of 10 foot concrete path and protected bike lanes. From Austin High to the Montopolis BridgeLittle Walnut Creek TrailnoneNorthern Section: Southern Section: ProposedUndecidedNorthern Section: From North Austin YMCA on Rundberg to just south os US 290. Southern Section: From Manor Rd to E. 51st St along Little Walnut CreekMoKan Trail Partially Complete (est. completion - Fall 2026) Concrete PathConnects Red Line Parkway/Eastlink Trail to the Southern Walnut Creek Trail systemMontopolis Tributary TrailnoneProposedConcrete PathFrom Riverside Dr to Felix Ave. Mueller Trail Complete Mix of concrete path and crushed granite. Loop around the Mueller DevelopmentOnion Creek TrailnoneNearly ProposedUndecidedFrom E. William Cannon Dr to Colorado River along Onion Creek Red Line Parkway 15% Complete Mix of concrete shared-use path, protected bike lanes along urban streets and crushed granite thru parks. Follows CapMetro’s Red Line Rail from Downtown Austin to LeanderSt Johns Ave to Red Line TrailnonePropoesedUndecidedFollows Waller Creek from St. Johns to Airport. Shoal Creek Trail none Complete Mix of concrete path and crushed granite. Along the creek from north shore of Lady Bird Lake in Downtown, through Pease Park, and on to West 38th Street becomes a bike lane along Shoal Creek Blvd. Southern Walnut Creek Trail none Complete 10-foot (3.0 m)-wide concrete path Govalle Park to the Walnut Creek Sports Park at Johnny Morris Road and Daffan Lane. Connects to Austin to Manor TrailWaterloo Greenway Under ConstructionConcrete Path and BoardwalkFrom Lady Bird Lake to 15th St along Waller Creek. Eventually extending to the Whitaker Sports Complex.YBC Trailnone ProposedConnects the west side of the MoPac Mobility Bridges and the Austin Community College Pinnacle Campus

External links City of Austin Bike Plan Austin Urban Trails Program

References