Hiking / Biking

Biking - dirt & road.

Biking in Texas splits into two worlds with different rules: dirt (trails) and pavement (roads and paths).

Mountain biking (trails)

Off-road riding is mostly about courtesy and keeping trails open - few hard laws, but real consequences for the trails themselves.

• -Ride open trails only. Respect closures, get permission on private land, and know that federal Wilderness areas are closed to all bikes. Since most Texas singletrack is on private trail-ranches, follow each place's posted rules - that's what keeps them open.
• -Control your bike and yield - bikes yield to hikers and horses, and downhill yields to uphill.
• -Don't ride muddy trails - it tears them up.
• -Wear a helmet - not required by state law for adults, but always smart on dirt.
• -Popular riding: Reimers Ranch, Pace Bend, Walnut Creek, and Emma Long (Austin area), Cameron Park (Waco), and many more.

E-bikes

Texas sorts e-bikes into three classes. A legal e-bike has a motor under 750 watts, working pedals, and a class label - and needs no license, registration, or insurance.

Road & path cycling

On the road, a bicycle is a vehicle with the same rights and duties as a car (Transportation Code Ch. 551).

• -Ride with traffic, never against it, and obey all signs and signals (yes, stop at stop signs and red lights).
• -Keep right when it's practical, but you may 'take the lane' when you need to for safety - narrow lanes, hazards, or turns. There's no law forcing you to use a bike lane.
• -Use hand signals, and at night carry a white front light plus a red rear reflector or light.
• -No bikes on freeways (controlled-access highways) unless signs say otherwise.