Best sign
Not only does the sign shown to the right prohibit motor vehicles, which is a happy result in itself, but (1) it warns of snakes and alligators and (2) does so as a legally required caution. As I note later in this post, the difference between a traffic law and a traffic warning is nil in the Lone Star State.
Worst sign
During my first day in town, on my way from the train station to my parents' house, I discovered that Memorial Dr is closed to cyclists for some portions between the I-610 and the Beltway.
The sign didn't offer legal guidance as to whether it was OK to ride my bike on the sidewalk, which is illegal in Arizona but of unclear status in Texas. Shame on me for not knowing all the laws in a state I'm visiting for a couple weeks.
Meta Honorable Mention
There's no sign as satisfying as a sign that warns about other signs. Second-most satisfying is a sign that regulates other signs, as shown in the photo to the right. Apparently, in Texas, all yellow warning signs must be treated as law. Maybe the state just didn't feel like painting all those yellow cautionary signs to white? Maybe the state ran out of white paint?
I remember learning how to drive as a teenager in Texas and feeling so relieved I didn't have to obey those pesky cautionary speed limit signs before sharp turns. But it turns out those are every bit as law as the regular white speed limit signs—as are other cautionary signs, such as BE PREPARED TO STOP and DRAW BRIDGE. Police officer: May I see your license, registration, and drawing of a bridge?
2 comments:
You crack me up, Craig! Did you illegally ride anywhere besides sidewalks on this trip? Did you (can you with your bike tires?) ride on any greenways that run along drainage bayous, like the one with the white caution sign? I often have the desire to travel on those or via power corridors or along one of the city bayous and see where it takes me. (I think it's an effect of reading too much William Least Heat Moon.) I don't think it's going to happen, though.
Lindsey— Traffic law makes criminals of us all, and I'm sure I did my share of illegal maneuvering during my time in Houston. As for riding on those greenways, any medium-sized tire or bigger will suffice. Go get exploring!
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