BIKE: Biking Braker Lane

[Kevin Corry]

On Wed May 18 2005 1:28 pm, Jamie Reckinger wrote:
> Hi everyone,
>
> I'm thinking about renting a place near Metric and Braker Lane and biking
> to work at Braker and Research Blvd.  It's only about 3 miles, but Braker
> doesn't seem to be the most bike-friendly street. Map:
> http://maps.google.com/maps?t=k&saddr=Metric+Blvd+%26+W+Braker+Ln,+Austin,+
>TX+78758&daddr=W+Braker+Ln+%26+Research+Blvd,+Austin,+TX+78759&hl=en
>
> Is anyone familiar/comfortable w/ biking Braker in the morning (around 7a)
> or evenings (5.30p)?  Any suggestions for another route?

Hi Jamie,

That's a pretty nasty section of road. Six lanes divided, 40 to 50 mph speed 
limit, quite busy during rush hour. I occasionally ride part of that (usually 
from Burnet to the S. Mopac outer road or Stonelake Blvd. It's doable, but 
you really need to be comfortable riding in traffic.

One possible alternate route, which will take you a bit longer, would be:
North on Metric
West on Gracy Farms Ln to Burnet Rd.
Sidewalk up to Duval Rd.
Nort/West on Duval Rd.
Left on Santa Cruz (third street past the RR crossing).
Right on Balcones Woods.
Left on Jollyville.
Left on Braker.
(Or take the sidewalk south along N. 183 from Balcones Woods to Braker).

Duval is marginally better than Braker, but still pretty busy during rush 
hour. There's a sidewalk if you're not comfortable in traffic, but it's only 
on the South/East-bound side of Duval.

Good luck!

-- 
Kevin Corry
kevincorry