Cycle Town

Borrow a bike for free: First 90 minutes of Houston's new bike share program aregratis

Bike Houston president Darren Saborn poses with one of the new public bikes fromthe B-cylcle program.
Photo by Katya Horner
LEFT TO RIGHT: State legislators Carol Alvarado and Rodney Ellis; Annise Parker,Downtown District director Bob Eury and Bike Barn owner Neil Bremner
Photo by Tyler Rudick
"I expect to announce a trails initiative soon that will go to the ballot thisNovember," Parker told CultureMap. "We're working with the parks board onpossible bio-greenways right now."
Photo by Tyler Rudick
The bike share program is open for business with a trio of bike racks at CityHall, Market Square and the George R. Brown Convention Center.
Photo by Richard J. Carson

A group of about 40 city officials and reporters burst into applause Wednesday afternoon as Annise Parker turned the corner onto McKinney and locked her bike at the kiosk in front of City Hall.

"This was a nice, smooth ride," the mayor smiled to the crowd, showing off the inaugural fleet of public bicycles from the city's new bike share program, known as Houston B-cycle.

Funded with $100,000 of federal stimulus dollars from an EPA Climate Showcase grant, the pilot program is officially open for business with a trio of bike racks at City Hall, Market Square and the George R. Brown Convention Center.

"Imagine hopping on a bike and going from museum to museum without having to worry about parking," Parker said.

"I'm excited to be out here today now that it's officially launch day for the Houston B-cycle," Parker said in her speech. "Currently we're just in the downtown area . . . We hope it will be embraced by Houstonians, as it has been in other cities, and that we'll be able to expand the system."

From 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. everyday, users can slide a credit card or B-cycle pass through the solar-powered kiosks for a 3-speed Trek cruiser to ride throughout the area. The first 90 minutes are free. Thereafter, it's $2 for each additional half hour with a maximum daily charge of $55. Those hoping to take full advantage of the service can purchase an annual membership for only $50.

A statement released from the city notes the initiative will start with 18 bicycles at three stations with plans to increase it to 200 bikes at more that 20 kiosks across Houston.

After remarks by state legislators Rodney Ellis and Carol Alvarado as well as by B-cycle president Bob Burns and Bike Houston president Darren Saborn, Parker spoke with CultureMap about the possible locations of upcoming share stations.

"The Washington Avenue corridor seems absolutely right for this," she said. "The museum area would be great too. Imagine hopping on a bike and going from museum to museum without having to worry about parking.

"It's perfect."

Parker was optimistic about the future of cycling throughout the city.

"These days, you can drive down Allen Parkway and Memorial and see all the trails going in," she said. "I expect to announce a trails initiative soon that will go to the ballot this November. We're working with the parks board on possible bio-greenways right now."

The mayor added that she hopes to include the location of the new paths and bike trails in the announcement.

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no more trips to Colorado

Bill to legalize marijuana in Texas filed by Dallas Democrat

Photo courtesy of Texas Original

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Texas Rep. Jessica González (D-Dallas) has filed a bill to legalize recreational marijuana in Texas. House Bill 1208 would legalize the cultivation, manufacturing, transportation, and sale of cannabis.

The bill would allow adults 21 and older to use, possess, and transport up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana for personal use. Adults could also keep up to 10 ounces of cannabis in their residence, as long as it is stored in a secure location.

Smoking or consuming cannabis while in a public place or in a car on a public road would not be allowed.

Gonzalez filed the bill in mid-November, one in a suite of bills that also included expanding insurance coverage for in vitro fertilization for LGBTQ couples; and requiring landlords to disclose all fees before a rental lease is signed.

Her bill was filed prior to an initiative launched by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick on December 4 to ban THC products in Texas entirely.

In addition to legalizing recreational use, the bill also makes provisions for its production and sale including requiring that the packaging be child-resistent and clearly labeled, so that it's not confused for candy.

Businesses looking to grow, transport, test, or sell cannabis would need to be licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. A 10 percent tax would be imposed on the sale of all cannabis and cannabis products. Some of the profits would go towards funding public schools.

If passed, the bill would take effect on September 1, 2025.

Medical cannabis is currently legal in Texas under the Texas Compassionate Use Program, which allows low-THC cannabis to be prescribed for conditions such as epilepsy, MS, autism, cancer, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Some cities have also approved decriminalization for the possession of four ounces or less of marijuana, including Austin, Bastrop, Dallas, Denton, Elgin, Killeen, and Lockhart.

politics marijuana

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no more trips to Colorado

Bill to legalize marijuana in Texas filed by Dallas Democrat