From the City of Austin Bike Program website:

http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/publicworks/bicycle-public-input.htm

Public Input

Austin asks public to participate in planning of Nueces Bicycle Boulevard

The draft Downtown Plan and the Austin Bicycle Plan (City Ordinance No. 20090611-075) identify Nueces Street from W 3rd Street to Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard as a bicycle boulevard. A bicycle boulevard is a shared roadway that has been optimized for bicycle traffic. Bicycle boulevard conditions include the following:

• Low traffic volumes
• Quieter, prettier, and healthier than busier motor-vehicle prioritized streets
• Welcoming to bicyclists of all experience levels
• Improved safety conditions for all transportation modes

After meeting with the City’s internal stakeholders, the Public Works and Transportation Departments are inviting public feedback and input on the planned project. In particular, the City is asking the public to help design the bicycle boulevard at an upcoming Open House series.

From the League of Bicycling Voters:

http://www.lobv.org/nueces/

The basics…What is the Nueces Bike Boulevard?

The Nueces Bike Boulevard has been a no-brainer for bicycle enthusiasts, downtown boosters and area planners for quite some time. You take a flat street with relatively low auto traffic and scores of existing bike riders looking to get from the UT area to downtown and simply make it a bike-priority street that discourages through auto traffic. Add quicker travel for bicyclists by removing many of the stop signs, some identity with signage and public art, and things get even more exciting. Phase I would go from 3rd Street to MLK Boulevard, with Phase II possibly heading north to Guadalupe/29th Street.

Unfortunately, some businesses along Nueces are objecting to the idea–saying that it will kill their business, make them liable for bike accidents and even ruin the historic nature of existing buildings. What? Have you ever had to go a block or two out of your way to get to a business on a one-way street? This is what some auto drivers may face with the changes.

So please take a moment to contact City Council members and let them know the benefits of the bike boulevard. You can email them all from:
http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/council/groupemail.htm