Houston Cyclists Call for Safer, More Visible Trail Closure Signage

Houston bike activists are calling on the city to improve safety on bike trails, particularly when it comes to marking trail closures and construction areas, after the death of a cyclist last week, reports Dug Begley in the Houston Chronicle. Matthew Ledvina died after being found sprawled in the middle of the White Oak Trail with his bicycle and orange construction netting nearby.

While the cause of Ledvina’s death is as yet unclear, other Houston cyclists say trail closures are often poorly marked and difficult to see at night. “Tuesday evening, five days after the crash, the netting had been adorned with strips of yellow caution tape and a homemade sign warning of the danger.” Local cyclists and walkers were observed ignoring the netting to avoid the detour. 

Begley adds that “Wednesday, after cyclists raised concerns and the city and county were asked about the design of the closing, workers placed reflective warning barriers commonly used on streets along the trail as an extra measure where the path is blocked.” 

Begley points out that there are no standardized regulations for closures or detours on bike and pedestrian trails, with only a brief mention of signage for bike trail closures in the city’s design manual. “‘There seems to be a complete dearth of regulations for signage, warnings and other laws,’ said Charlie Thomas, a Houston lawyer who often represents cyclists injured in crashes, as part of the national Bike Law Network.”