Why Austin is Ready To Leap
Lane conversions on every City of Austin-owned arterial roadway might sound ambitious.
But the historic year of 2020 showed that we’re ready.
Austin said “We’re in” for mobility transformation
In a Fall 2020 survey, 55% of Austin respondents said they’d rather get around in a way other than driving.
Austinites made a historic vote for transit, walking, and bicycling
In November’s election, 58% of voters supported Project Connect (Prop. A) and 67% of voted for historic walking and bicycling funding (Prop. B.)
Austin added protected bike lanes on Congress Avenue
This rapid installation, a precursor to CityLeap, was a huge success and transformed bicycling downtown.
Since Then, Austin Has Made Unprecedented Progress in Transforming Our Streets.
Many transformations are like those in the CityLeap plan and Austinites have loved the results.
Longhorn Dam lane conversion
In 2021, the City of Austin converted one lane on the Longhorn Dam Bridge to a shared use path for walking and bicycling.
The project took just four months to pay for itself through comprehensive crash costs to society.
Barton Springs Road conversion
In 2023, two general purpose lanes on Barton Springs Road were converted to protected bicycle lanes.
The results have been extraordinary: Safety has improved and even travel times for cars are unaffected.
Miles of bike & pedestrian upgrades
Propelled by strong public support, the City of Austin has installed bicycle lanes and pedestrian facilities at an unprecedented rate in the past four years.
The public response? “We want more!”
A Special Message From Chris Riley About CityLeap
The late Chris Riley, former Austin City Council Member and Safe Streets Austin Board Member, recorded this special message in his last week of life, supporting CityLeap and saying “It will be the kind of legacy that you will be very proud to leave behind, because it will have huge, positive impacts for generations to come.”
We Mobilized For World War II. We Can CityLeap.
During World War II, after Japan bombed Pearl Harbor, millions of Americans acted with extraordinary speed to help the US enter the war. Factories started producing munitions, citizens bought war bonds, and women entered the workforce.
Austinites played their part in the war effort. Even our airport, Austin-Bergstrom International, is named after Captain John Bergstrom, the first brave Austinite to sacrifice his life in World War II.
This big vision and unity of purpose helped America win the war and change the world. Let’s summon that same inspiration and leap to action once again to address transportation and so much more.
Paris and Other Cities are Making Bold Leaps. So Can We.
Under Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo’s visionary leadership and with broad public support, the French capital is swiftly remaking its streets. In just a few years, the results have been stunning. Bicycling has surged (and in fact doubled just between October 2022 and October 2023), over 100 city streets are now car-free, and roadways such as the iconic Champs-élysées are set for bold vehicle lane conversions.
This bold spirit is being captured in other cities too:
Seville, Spain: From 2006-2007, Seville rapidly built out 50 miles of protected bike lanes. Bicycling rose over 450% in just three years.
Montreal, Canada: Since 2014, Montreal has rolled out over 180 miles of bus lanes. Newer facilities could cut travel times by 30%.
Los Angeles: Even in car-dependent LA, voters recently approved a historic citywide bike/pedestrian network upgrade timeline.