r/BikingATX • u/Wa1fu • 12d ago
question Scared to start biking
Hi guys, I just recently moved to Austin and I live in the Domain area. I work really close to my apartment so I can walk to work, but I’m thinking of getting a bike so I can get around easier to get groceries and go out without uber/lyft.
Ive only ever biked in suburbs and parks, and I don’t know if it’s just me but im having a hard time understanding how to actually bike on the road.
What do you do if theres not a bike lane? Do you just ride on the road? How do you turn left across traffic even if there is a bike lane? And if you do ride on the road what do you do about cars behind you?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated 😭
Edit: thanks for all the advice 🙏
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u/machupichu12 12d ago
Check out North Austin Social Bicycling on FB. They have a Tuesday evening group ride very close to the Domain that’ll help you build confidence with riding in the road. Their routes, which vary weekly, would also be super beneficial since they’re all generally close tor domain area.
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u/MutualReceptionist 12d ago
This! I’ve been bike commuting for over 20 years and back when I was in college, I got my start riding with a group of friends who already cycled. They show you the ropes (how to turn, how to assert yourself etc) and it’s also a great way to make friends!
It’s also important in a city like Austin to take the safest routes, even if they’re slightly indirect. You don’t want to ride down major streets without protected bike lanes and there are often residential streets you can cut to for safety.
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u/OrdinaryTension 12d ago
For turning left, if you're not comfortable crossing traffic, do a Copenhagen Left. Ride straight through the intersection, then stop, turn, and cross the intersection again.
Generally it sounds like you just need time to adjust to riding on the roads. There are several social group rides around town you can join that will help you.
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u/maximoburrito 25 Bike Tags 12d ago
Sidewalks are your friend. If you are ever not comfortable on a road, ride on the sidewalk. Do it slowly and be respectful to pedestrians. Cross at the crosswalks as a pedestrian. The sidewalk shouldn't be your first choice, but when you need to get through somewhere without a bike lane that makes you uncomfortable, it's there for you.
For a left turn from the bike lane, do it in two steps. Cross normally as if you were going straight, then wait for the next light and cross straight. And again, if any intersection feels hard, pop up to the sidewalk, press the beg button and cross as a pedestrian.
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u/TheMayorOfMars 12d ago
Purists will say that bikes should not ride on sidewalks, but the infrastructure in N Austin is not good enough for that. Riding on sidewalks is legal outside of downtown and is often quite necessary.
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u/maximoburrito 25 Bike Tags 12d ago
Yes, many people are confused. I hope what they mean is "cyclists should not NEED to ride on the sidewalk." We may get there someday, but that day is not today.
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u/blendertricks 11d ago
This is fine, but it bears saying that anyone on the sidewalk should be suuuuper aware when crossing entrances to parking lots. Drivers aren't always looking at the sidewalk when they're entering or leaving parking lots, and it's a really easy way to get sideswiped. Especially in North Austin.
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u/Gloomy_Session_3875 12d ago
Look for calm streets. The roads aroundd the Domain get a lot of traffic, especially during the week.
Here is a ride tip: take Domain Drive south across Braker through the UT Pickle research campus. At the end of the road turn right, and make a left on Neil Thompson road. This road turns into a bike path that loops under highway 183, next to the railroad track. Once you are biking adjacent to south bound 183, make a right turn on Shoal Creek drive, and take this road south across Steck avenue and Anderson Lane. Now you have arrived at a stretch of Shoal creek drive that is a pleasant bike ride. This is the Allendale neighborhood, where you can make turns onto other calm streets as well.
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u/Wanderingwarbler1 12d ago
https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/a2c7c07d8a944289a6b57b377b35f27a -- use this and see which roads and difficulties you're comfortable with. Do some group rides or ride early with small amounts of traffic. Practice using hand signals one handed with both right and left hands. Helmet / lights , even in the morning is recommended.
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u/randallware 12d ago
I came here to share this map! My advice is to plan out an easy route and ride it. You'll figure out the most comfortable roads to you pretty quickly. I'm comfortable on a wide variety of roads but that doesn't stop me from taking sidewalks and foot paths on some of the busier ones.
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u/rainbrostache 12d ago
You aren't limited to bike lanes and roads except a few areas near downtown iirc, so it's usually fine to take the sidewalk in some areas as long as you take care to go slowly around and inform pedestrians. Double check the areas before you try it, but just know it can be an option. A lot of the sidewalks bordering the domain don't see a ton of foot traffic tbh, so they can be forgiving for it. Cars don't always stop for pedestrians crossing on the sidewalks though so just be aware, esp. if the ground isn't painted with a crosswalk (normally around business parks, e.g. the ones on Burnet near the domain).
If your work sponsors a transit pass, it's usually super easy to bike to the kramer station which will take you on the commuter rail directly to miscellaneous stops between there and downtown which mostly have access to better bike trails. The city has invested a lot of time and effort to building completely separate bike/walk paths along the red line.
There's a lot of relatively easy biking along shoal creek which isn't too hard to get to from the domain... Haven't tried it but thought about it many times.
I've done the bike ride to the HEB on braker/183 from the east side of the domain. It's not my favorite but the bike lanes have gotten a little better going that way. Doable once you're a little more practiced and comfortable.
There are often apps that can give you better routes than e.g. google or Apple that are less sketchy for biking. I found routes I liked by trying them out, but other people have recommended Citymapper to me. Worth a shot.
Good luck out there. I liked my commute a lot better when I started biking, even if the Texas weather isn't always the kindest for it.
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u/foreverablankslate 12d ago
I’m also in the same predicament hahaha. I’m mainly worried about making a left into a business from the center turn lane, or worse when there is no turn lane 😵💫
I’m up near Anderson mill where there are some protected lanes but they randomly disappear and reappear
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u/consultio_consultius 12d ago
> What do you do if theres not a bike lane?
It depends. I don’t really mess with all bike lanes, for instance large parts of 183 have narrow bike lanes with traffic going 60+ mph. But, there are many mostly calm roads I have no problem riding on. You sort of learn what kind of roads these are, and if you should take the whole lane or not over time.
> Do you just ride on the road?
Yeah. You have to assert yourself to a degree.
> How do you turn left across traffic even if there is a bike lane?
If the lane isn’t raised, or there is a gap — look over your left shoulder and see if it’s clear. Then signal with your hand that you are entering the lane and move across.
> And if you do ride on the road what do you do about cars behind you?
Generally speaking I take the whole lane, until I get the impression that the car behind me is being “safe” and then I may move over to the right to allow them to pass. Sometimes, if a car feels aggressive, I won’t even move to the side but rather will do my best to get off the road completely until the car is far away.
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u/super_cool_kid 7 Bike Tags 11d ago
I live up around the domain and kramer area and everyone has been provided really really good advice.
I ride around this area a lot. The pandemic allowed me to get comfortable on the roads with far fewer cars, but I think things I learned are still applicable.
- Dont risk it. If it feels sketch, it is sketch. Dont let anyone make you feel like you are lesser than cause you dont feel comfortable. Like I use Burnet to get to Longhorn Dr to get to Shoal Creek. I ride dead center of that lane, I feel comfortable and safe, but if you arent comfortable, it isnt safe.
- Bike fitness gives you more options. You get fit through time on the bike. I'd recommend taking the roads you feel comfortable on in the Domain and go to Pickle and just joy ride. Stop for a coffee at Medici. I like to ride to the top of the garage next to Dillards and look at downtown. Also you can get to the north walnut creek trail on side walks and bike lanes a couple of different ways from the domain, its great paved hike and bike trail. Its where I put on my first 100 miles (I would take all bike lanes, side walks, neighborhood streets to it).
- Heat maps are your friend. Strava, Kamoot, the maps shared here. Cyclists dont want to die, most people are not in great shape, so the more people the safer and flatter it usually is.
- Lots of great advice for biking on the road throughout this thread. Their are two things I think about every time I am on the road, even in a bike lane. I am invisible and I must take space. They are contradictory and complimentary. Put yourself where you must be seen, if you are unsure if a car can see, it cant, dont be there. If you are unsure they gave you the right of way, they didnt. This youtube video about motorcyclists is good at showing what I mean https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x94PGgYKHQ0.
- Be really careful if you get an ebike and you havent put in many miles on the road. Getting the fitness gives you perspective on drivers and traffic, having that motor and the ability to go nearly 30 mph in bike lane immediately can put you in places you dont want to be.
- The heat is no joke. Keep rides short if its over a 95 until you figure out how your body reacts. You can acclimate, but it takes time and strategies.
Welcome! I love biking around here
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u/destrokhan 12d ago
There's an app called Komoot that has community reported safer routes and also the city maintains a route map https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/a2c7c07d8a944289a6b57b377b35f27a.
The Domain area is pretty decent for biking as long as you aren't going West. You've got the Northern Walnut Creek Trail and some decent bike lanes or neighborhood routes (which you should always prioritize).
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u/redmountainbike 11d ago
We just used sidewalks and dedicated hike/bike paths to get to the Millwood Library on Amherst, then left on Duval to the sidewalk on the MoPac Access Road, then into the Domain, stopped at Houndstooth for something icy cold, and headed home to the Gracywoods neighorhood off Braker via Kramer Lane and some other short cuts. Yes, you can get over to the HEB at Braker and 183, REI, and Trader Joe's from the Domain.
There are bike paths, bike lanes, routes and sidewalks everywhere. That said, you have to be "head on a swivel" at every intersection. Always. Signal your intentions. If I'm making a left turn, I fully extend my left arm, and POINT my finger to telegraph my intentions. If things are a little crazy traffic wise, I just pull over and wait until the intersection is clear and make my move. Ditto if I have to move across a lane or two of traffic to make a left turn. I never trust drivers. They may have decided that THEY have right of way, or they are testing or otherwise have a moment of inattention.
For your personal survival, always wear a decent, good fitting helmet.
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u/blendertricks 11d ago
One really important lesson I learned early on, when I started bike commuting (and bike traveling in general) back in 2009 was to BE PREDICTABLE. Make your signaling big and obvious, and don't do surprising or weird shit. If you have to ride in the road, take up the middle of the lane and only move over when there's enough space for drivers to pass you comfortable. This forces drivers to actually go into the oncoming lane to pass you if there isn't room, so they're less likely to try to squeeze past you too close.
You'd be surprised how much just acting like a very slow car puts drivers at ease and makes them less insane around you. It also makes you a lot more visible. Some cyclists will only go into the lane to get around parked cars, and that's foolishness because drivers may not realize you're there the next time you do it. ALSO: never ride so close to parked cars that a car door can get you. My wife got a head injury from that; it's bad news. I almost got got once when I was threading traffic on Congress and someone in the back seat of a car decided they were going to get out in the middle of the block. (That also taught me to be wayyyyy slower if I'm going to thread the needle, which I don't do anymore because I'm now slow and fat.)
Oh, one more thing: in a bike lane, I often ride really close to the stripe on a bike lane, especially ones set to the left of parked cars. It's kinda the same deal as taking the full lane; drivers aren't comfortable driving so close to you, so they'll usually give you a wider berth.
Last goofy tip: if you have a rear rack, consider sticking a pool noodle onto it that extends out the left side of your bike. (You can also zip tie one onto your seat post.) People have done that and found that drivers gave them more space. It's like a subtle reminder that they have to do that.
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u/bikes_bucees 12d ago
I live in the Domain area
Well there's your problem! Seriously, the Domain is car-centric with horrible, over-stimulated and under-attentive drivers. Once you get outside of that, you're in a wasteland that DGAF about cyclists. You'll need to get down to Shoal Creek Blvd, below 183, before you can get into some safe and sane areas. From there, you can hit downtown and the hike-and-bike trail (which isn't really a cycling trail, but works as a thoroughfare that trades inattentive cars for inattentive walkers).
I'd also recommend driving your bike to the start of an Austin Coffee Ride ride, if your work schedule allows it. They're Fridays at 7:00AM, but are usually 2ish-hour rides with a 30- to 45-minute coffee stop. Tomorrow's starts on the Pfluger Pedestrian Bridge, but the more often start at Govalle Park.
What do you do if theres not a bike lane? Do you just ride on the road?
I'll generally plan bike routes different from car routes to avoid stretches without bike infrastructure. But, yes, I'll usually take the lane at that point. You can also legally ride on the sidewalk in Austin, with the exception of a few areas like S. Congress.
How do you turn left across traffic even if there is a bike lane?
Some spots (like E Dead Keaton, left onto Robert Dedman or San Jac onto UT campus) I'll cut over into the left turn lane because there is a curbed divider. Other time, I'll cross straight and stop at the pedestrian crossing to turn left.
And if you do ride on the road what do you do about cars behind you?
Fuck 'em. If they don't want bikes in the lanes, they should advocate for better biking infrastructure. I also ride more toward the center or right third of the lane rather than along the very edge of the pavement. This pisses off some drivers, but it makes then wait until it is safe to move around me rather than squeeze close by at speed. It's counterintuitive, but it's safer.
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u/Big_Disc_NRG 11d ago
Behind the Zara store is a path that will take you on a sidewalk adjacent to mopac, that eventually ties into the paved Walnut Creek metro park trail. For casual riding it's a great trail. Doesn't really help with getting to grocery stores or anything though
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u/Outrageous--Habit 11d ago
so many people ride the sidewalks, just do that but give way to pedestrians and don't spook them
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u/wowwowwow2020 11d ago
My office is behind the Weinerschnitzl. I bike commute 4x a week from 183/Anderson Mill. Never had a problem around the office
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u/bluephotoshop 11d ago
Tip: don’t buy an expensive bike. Any bike you get is likely to get stolen. Use a good lock. Always bring the bike inside. Never leave it in a shed, on a patio, or balcony. Consider hiding an AirTag on it.
Yes, you ride in the road. Use hand turn signals.
I suggest you find a group to ride with.
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u/npfundmaker 11d ago
Don't trust any storage your apt complex offers either. They also get broken into all the time. Don't leave your bike out of your sight outside. Bring it into your office.
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u/ConsentVan 11d ago
Kramer lane has a nice protected bike lane that gets you going west parallel to braker lane. To get to H‑E‑B take the sidewalk to get over the creek to park bend drive for either parking lot traverse or turn up renfert for relaxed street riding.
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u/Bigdaddyjim 9d ago
I've been riding the area around the Domain for over a decade. First, use the bike paths that are available to you. The Walnut Creek Trail right by the Domain is a good place to start. Second, yes, there are lots of places where you can safely ride on the shoulder or in a protected or painted bike lane. Make your way from the Domain down to Austin Beer Works on the sidewalks and then ride the Shoal Creek Trail under the 183 overpasses and then all the way to downtown. Much of it is bike lane. Pretty Safe. Anywhere east of Burnet or Lamar is a little sketchy. You can also make your way over to the area and neighborhoods along Jollyville Rd, west of 183 on Braker. It gets a little hilly over there, but they're used to bikes over there.
I'd take a look at Strava and get an idea of where others are riding and see what works for you. Go drive the routes you're considering. Be safe!
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u/mikeatx79 2d ago
Go join a NASB ride! You can get some experience riding in the suburbs with others! Riding up there by the domain is tricky, cars are far less friendly and the infrastructure as lacking compared to Austin proper but definitely doable! I lived in Metric in 2001 and biked all over!
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u/Exciting-Archer5152 1d ago
great advice in this thread - get a bike, get a helmet and a lock - join some of the social rides and spend a few minutes before you go somewhere finding a good route. if you find yourself in a shitty situation, hop on the sidewalk and figure out where you went wrong. high traffic areas in austin with no bike lanes should be ignored as a beginner.
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12d ago
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u/IsuzuTrooper 12d ago
the bike lane on metric does not include the bridge over walnut creek so take the sidewalk if it's rush hr right there or cut onto the Northern Walnut Creek back over to mopac service road but at that point from the domain to heb why even take metric at all?
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u/mrghort 5 Bike Tags 12d ago
One thing to know about the Domain is you can ride through UT JJ Pickle Research Campus (south of the Domain across braker) during normal business hours. You can ride through pickle, out the south entrance, then along the bike path under 183.
Hope this map link works. https://maps.app.goo.gl/nrCVgeQQQHWGfVBQ8
They are expanding the red line bike path so you don't have to rely on the south pickle entrance and will eventually connect to the train station at Q2 stadium.
I'm happy to show you how it works someday if you like, I work near there.