Austin’s Cycling Unfriendliness Exposed as H-E-B Revamps Beloved Grocery Store

Austin Ranks Low in Cycling-Friendly States, But H-E-B is Revamping Local Grocery Scene!

Hey there, Austin! If you love riding your bike around our beautiful city, you might be shocked to learn just how *unfriendly* Texas is for cyclists. According to a fresh report from a personal injury law firm out of Philadelphia, Texas has been handed the unfortunate honor of ranking 47th among all 50 states when it comes to cycling-friendliness. That means only three states are worse off than us—yikes!

Breaking Down the Numbers

This little nugget of information comes from a new report that assessed states based on six different metrics—including air quality, cyclist deaths per million residents, and bike routes per square mile. In total, Texas scored a measly 31 points out of 100 for its “cycling-friendly” rating. Not exactly a trophy we can hang on the wall!

The report digs deeper into the stats, revealing that here in Texas, we have about 1.2 bike routes for every 1,000 square miles. Compare that to the gold medalist, Minnesota, which boasts an impressive 27.2 bike routes per the same area—now that’s what we call cycling excellence! To add to this gloomy picture, the air quality index in Texas sits at a 41, which doesn’t help much either.

While it’s not all bad news, since we experience about three cyclist deaths per million residents (which is *slightly* lower than the national average), it’s clear we have some serious work to do when it comes to creating safer cycling conditions. In fact, across the U.S., there are about 857 cyclist fatalities each year. *So, what’s going on here?*

The Bright Side

Despite these alarming stats, it’s important to recognize that community efforts to make biking safer are happening, and we should keep pushing for improvement. As one of the legal experts mentioned, “It’s crucial for all states to continually assess and enhance their cycling provisions.” So let’s keep pressuring our local government to step up its game!

Time for Some Good News!

On a *brighter note*, for all the food lovers here in Austin, there’s exciting news on the grocery front! H-E-B, our homegrown beloved grocery chain, is set to reopen its oldest location on South Congress Avenue after nearly two years of renovations. Mark your calendars for December 4, when this *massive* 145,000-square-foot store will finally open its doors. And boy, do they have some treats in store for us!

The revamped building will not only provide more shopping space, but it will also feature indoor and outdoor dining options, over 600 parking spots, and a variety of unique food offerings. Picture this: mouthwatering Sushiya sushi, True Texas BBQ, and even fresh tortillas made right in the store!

A Community Hub

Cathy Harm, a group VP at H-E-B, expressed how much this particular location means to the neighborhood. “We hope this new design conveys the deep gratitude we have for our loyal customers who have supported our business for more than 60 years,” she said. Ain’t that sweet?

Not only does this new store come stocked with your everyday grocery needs, but it also promises live cooking demonstrations, curbside pickup, local artwork, an H-E-B Flower Bar, and even a drive-thru pharmacy. Talk about a one-stop shop!

So there you have it, Austin! While our bike paths could definitely use a little TLC, there’s plenty to look forward to with the grand reopening of H-E-B—an essential part of our community that’s been serving us for ages. So take a bike ride, enjoy the fresh air, and maybe hit H-E-B afterward for a tasty treat—just don’t forget your helmet!