A connected city is a safer, more inclusive city.

Take the pledge to Remember Austin Street

Austin Street once connected Downtown, Midtown, Houston Community College, and the Texas Medical Center, creating a continuous, protected route for students, workers, patients, and residents moving through the heart of Houston.

Its removal showed how quickly public infrastructure can disappear when community voices are not fully heard.

We remember Austin Street not to look backward, but to ensure Houston moves forward differently.

What Was Austin Street?

The Austin Street bikeway was a protected corridor linking multiple neighborhoods and major institutions:

• Downtown Houston
• Midtown
• Houston Community College
• The Texas Medical Center

It served thousands of Houstonians, including people who bike, walk, take transit, and rely on safer alternatives to driving.

Its impact extended far beyond a single council district. Austin Street functioned as a regional connector, supporting mobility across the city.

Why It Matters

Infrastructure decisions shape who feels safe moving through our city.

When safe connections disappear:

• students lose reliable routes,
• workers face increased risk,
• vulnerable communities lose access,
• and progress toward environmental sustainability is set back.

Austin Street is a stark reminder of the important role city leaders have in protecting public spaces.

There is an upcoming election in City Council District C – home to:

• 11th Street Bikeway
• White Oak Bayou
• Heights Blvd
• MKT Trail
• Shepherd/Durham
• Buffalo Bayou
• Rice Village
• Montrose Blvd
• Woodhead St
• Hawthorne St

And so many other. Not every candidate on the ballot would protect vital public infrastructure like Austin Street. It’s imperative that we have leadership at City Hall that prioritizes Safe Streets.

Safe Streets Are About Equity

Safe transportation is not just a mobility issue — it is a justice issue.

Accessible public streets help:

• LGBTQ+ residents access safe public spaces
• Young people and seniors travel independently
• Workers reach jobs without needing a car
• Communities reduce pollution and climate impacts
• Neighborhoods build stronger social connections

A connected Houston benefits everyone.

The Remember Austin Street Commitment

By signing, you commit to supporting a future where Houston’s streets are safer, more transparent, and more inclusive.

I commit to:

Supporting candidates and policies that prioritize safe streets
Protecting connected bike and pedestrian infrastructure
Advocating for transparent public decision-making
Supporting vibrant public spaces for all communities
Advancing environmental and social justice through transportation

I Will Remember Austin Street

Building the Houston We Deserve

Remembering Austin Street is about building something stronger.

Houston can lead by:

• Expanding safe street networks
• Protecting community-supported infrastructure
• Ensuring transparent public processes
• Designing streets that work for everyone — not just cars

Together, we can create a city where connectivity, safety, and inclusion are lasting priorities.

Texas Rainbow Fund works at the intersection of LGBTQ+ rights and safe, inclusive public spaces by supporting policies and community initiatives that create safer streets, stronger neighborhoods, and a more connected Texas.

Public space is public belonging.

We Remember. We Organize. We Build Forward.