When I tell Housotonians that I occasionally ride my bike to work, they are usually incredulous. Some of their surprise is due to their impression of the effort required to cycle 15 miles each way, but the primary concern is because they think it is unsafe. There are a few sections of my commute that require extreme caution (Wilcrest near Harwin and Briar Forest east of Beltway 8 come to mind), but I think most of it is very safe.
For example, the roads near my office are very wide and lightly traveled. The photo below was taken on a Sunday, but it looks about the same on a weekday. The most dangerous thing about this section of road is the acorn covered surface, cracking and popping as I ride over them.
Executive Drive near Corporate Drive in Sugar Land, Texas
Even better, about 80% of my commute is through quiet neighborhoods. In the mornings, kids wait for the school bus, and my big worry is the occasional driver that doesn't look before backing out of the driveway. In the afternoons, kids play in the yards, and a few even say hello. Dads wash cars, and dogs are walked. Sure, there is a little traffic on the road, but it's as safe as it gets. The photo below shows what I see on the majority of my commute.
Belle Park near High Star in Houston
Like many bicycling advocates say, I feel most unsafe when I'm in a striped bike lane. Cars assume that I have plenty of room, and mirrors pass at 45 mph and only a few feet away from the end of my handlebars. I negotiate glass, gaps in the pavement, poorly installed drains, standing water, and other debris. The cars would rather crowd me out than crowd the lane of the vehicle to their left. Again, Wilcrest and Briar Forest come to mind. If I could avoid the bike lanes, I would. I only use them when other routes aren't feasible, and thankfully, it's for only about 15% of my route.
The first time I really got worried was today -- and it was due to rain, not cars. Even though I have waterproof panniers and my iPhone was safely stowed in a zippered plastic bag, when I turned east and saw the storm clouds and falling rain, I called for the family SAG wagon. I was only a few miles from home, but I was glad I did, because as soon as we loaded the bike, the rain hit us.
Rain Clouds near Briar Forest and Beltway 8 in Houston
I hope that any Houstonians (or others for that matter) that read this will understand that cycling in Houston is not as unsafe as you think. Don't think about riding the same route you drive; instead, realize that there are parallel alternate routes that are less traveled and more cyclist-friendly. Join me. You'll be glad you left your car at home.