BikeHouston Protests Removal of Safety Barriers on Heights Boulevard

Safety Advocates Protest Barrier Removal

• 🚴 BikeHouston members gathered to protest the removal of protective barriers, known as armadillos, from the Heights Boulevard bike lanes.
• 📢 The group chanted "Keep us safe" to voice their concerns about the reduced safety for cyclists.

Impact of Armadillo Removal

• 📉 BikeHouston reports that crashes on Heights Boulevard were cut in half after the armadillos were installed, compared to pre-pandemic numbers.
• ❓ The removal of these barriers has left cyclists anxious about their safety when using the lane.

Personal Testimonies on Safety

• 🤕 Derek Fincham, who survived a crash in a bike lane in 2021 after being hit by a car, credits a cement barrier with saving him.
• 🗣️ Fincham expressed his frustration, questioning why he doesn't have the same right to travel safely as those who drive cars to their places of employment.

Unanswered Questions

• 🔍 It remains unclear why the barriers were removed, the cost associated with their removal, and who funded the work.
• 🏛️ Advocates are calling on city officials, including Mayor Whitmire, to address these safety concerns.