City Manager's Vision Is Key to Making Dallas More Bike Friendly
- Friends of Bachman Lake
- Apr 1
- 5 min read
Friends of Bachman Lake is a proud member of the Dallas Trails Coalition along with the heavy hitters such as Friends of the Katy Trail, Friends of the White Rock Creek Trail, The Loop Dallas, Friends of the SoPac Trail and Friends of the Northaven Trail and others. The trail loop around Bachman Lake does not connect to the rest of the network which is why we are continuosly advocating for a bigger, better loop that would connect the residents of Northwest Dallas to the rest of the city. This is what excites us about the new trail being built by the Aviation Department along Lemmon Ave and how popular Northaven Trail has become. It shows that there is a need! Funds secured in the 2024 bond program should help connect Bachman up to Northhaven, and some day we hope to get a connection to the Trinity Strand and also to the Campion Trail in Irving (only 1/2 a mile away from Bachman Lake).
However, making all this happen requires not only strong advocacy from our City Council Representatives, it also requires that our City Manager be aligned with a vision to expand biking infrastructure. Last month, the Dallas Bicycle Coalition wrote a great article about the importance of city leadership to make these types of changes a reality. Below is the article they wrote:
After nearly three years of planning, the Dallas City Council is expected to approve the updated Dallas Bike Plan in May. Throughout this process, the Dallas Bicycle Coalition has actively participated in committee meetings and encouraged council members to stay focused on delivering safe cycling infrastructure to Dallas. While most Dallas residents are familiar with the mayor and city council members, the role of the Dallas City Manager—an appointed, non-elected position—is critical to our work, and the council-manager structure of our city should be part of our advocacy strategy.
Kimberly Bizor Tolbert, who has served as interim Dallas City Manager since June 2024, has been officially hired to the role full-time. As city manager, Tolbert will be pivotal to a future where cycling is popular, convenient, and safe for transportation and recreation in Dallas.
Key Role of the City Manager
With Houston as the only exception, all major Texas cities operate under a council-manager form of government. In Dallas, this structure means that the mayor, currently Eric Johnson, serves as an at-large member of the city council responsible for appointing committee leaders and setting the council meeting agenda. The mayor does not compile the annual budget, hire city personnel, or manage daily city operations. These responsibilities, which are critical in transforming Dallas into a safer city for cycling, are handled by the city manager.
Tolbert’s decisions regarding hiring transportation staff, allocating funding for bike lanes, and maintaining streets all have a direct impact on the safety of people riding bicycles. However, her decisions are not made unilaterally. Instead, Tolbert reports directly to all 14 city council members and the mayor, and we need advocates from all districts in Dallas in order to effect change in our city.
What obstacles does a council-manager form of government face in making Dallas more cycling-friendly?
In cities with mayor-council forms of government, the mayor not only serves as the CEO of the city but also as a symbolic leader to set and carry forth a vision. Given that Dallas operates under a council-manager system, making cycling more accessible and prioritizing safety must instead be a vision that is embraced by the mayor and all 14 city council members.
To ensure cycling remains a priority, it's vital to advocate for it in every city council district. If the mayor and all council members share the vision of a future where cycling in Dallas is popular, safe, and convenient, the city manager will make decisions that support that vision. If council is not aligned, it's less likely that our vision of safe, bike friendly streets will be reflected in the city budget, hiring of critical staff, and the daily operations of Dallas.
How is Dallas progressing with its long-term vision for safe cycling?
Dallas has made strides in developing off-street facilities, such as the new SoPac Trail and the extension of the Northaven Trail. However, many residents still struggle to access these trails safely without using a vehicle due to the city's lack of a comprehensive on-street bicycle network. In the past three years, less than 5 miles of dedicated on-street bicycle lanes have been added, which are disconnected pieces of a future safe bicycle network.
In 2022, Dallas began updating its 2011 Bike Plan, aiming for city council approval by the end of 2023. Community groups and residents participated in town halls and provided feedback through online maps. However, as of February 2025, the updated bike plan is still in limbo. Advocacy is essential to ensure city council members approve the updated plan and allocate the necessary funds for new infrastructure and annual maintenance.
With bold leadership from a mayor, what have other cities accomplished?
Under the guidance of visionary leaders, cities have achieved significant advancements in cycling infrastructure. Dallas is, unfortunately, far behind.
Here are a few notable examples:
Chicago
471 miles of on-street bicycle facilities and off-street trails have been built citywide.
In 2023, 50 miles of new bike lanes
27 miles of protected bike lanes were added to the system through new additions and upgrading previously unprotected bike lanes.
Houston
518 miles of bicycle facilities were added to the city by the end of 2024.
1,789 miles of high-comfort bikeways planned following the adoption of the most recent Houston Bike Plan passed March 22, 2017.
Indianapolis
An eight-mile pedestrian and cycling trail throughout Downtown Indianapolis and close neighborhoods connects professional sports stadiums, shopping, restaurants, and residential areas including both single-family and dense multi-family neighborhoods.
In 2024, Indianapolis planned and funded 21 miles of new bike lanes and 17 miles of new trails throughout the city.
Although Dallas has its own distinct characteristics compared to the cities mentioned, their ambitious investments highlight that even more significant advancements are attainable for Dallas.
What steps can be made to transform Dallas into a bike-friendly city?
You can be an advocate for promoting safe cycling in several impactful ways:
Get involved with Dallas Bicycle Coalition: Join the email list and follow them on social media. DBC will have calls to action to make your voice heard this year.
Contact your council member and attend town halls: Voice support for safe cycling and provide positive feedback on existing cycling amenities to encourage additional investment.
Use Dallas 311: Report any issues you encounter, such as bike lane debris, faded markings, or other safety concerns.
Conclusion
We are optimistic about Dallas's new City Manager, and we hope to see Tolbert succeed. This change marks a new chapter for the city. We look forward, with the help of advocates in every Dallas district, to a new chapter that prioritizes safe, bike friendly streets and the safety of all Dallas residents, however they choose to get around.
