Ryan Nickerson

Houston

Weather Reporter at Houston Chronicle

Weather Reporter at Examiner Newspaper Group

Reporter for @houstonchron. Send me stories at [email protected] Mostly tweet correct sports takes/my goofy stories. @texassouthern alumn.

Articles

Metro brings back nonstop airport bus from downtown Houston

2 weeks ago | houstonchronicle.com | Ryan Nickerson

A new, nonstop bus route between downtown Houston and George Bush Intercontinental Airport is launching this weekend, offering an alternative to rideshare, longer bus routes and parking at the terminal. Starting Sunday, Metro will begin service on the 500 IAH Downtown Direct, which will run every 30 minutes between the George R. Brown Convention Center and IAH's Terminal C from 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week.
Let the Houston Chronicle know your experience with high water bills by filling out this form.

2 weeks ago | houstonchronicle.com | Ryan Nickerson

Houston residents have voiced frustration for years over excessively high water bills. Multiple mayoral administrations have attempted to address the ongoing problem, yet thousands of water meters still require repairs, according to the city's Public Works Department. Are you experiencing errors in your water bill? Are you having trouble navigating the city's water bill adjustment process? The Houston Chronicle wants to hear from you.
Whitmire says Austin Street will get a bike lane after public backlash

2 weeks ago | houstonchronicle.com | Ryan Nickerson

After a week of public backlash, Houston Mayor John Whitmire announced that the Austin Street rehabilitation project will now include a dedicated bike lane modeled after the one on Heights Boulevard-reversing earlier plans to replace the protected lane with sharrows, or shared lane markings. The new plan includes an unprotected, one-way bike lane, a compromise that maintains some level of dedicated space for cyclists but without a physical barrier.
Whitmire touts public safety as cyclists fear loss of Houston's bicycle lanes

3 weeks ago | houstonchronicle.com | Ryan Nickerson

Emphasizing his priority toward public safety, Houston Mayor John Whitmire addressed growing concerns over the city's commitment to bike lanes at a press conference Wednesday, two days after workers began tearing up a bike lane on Austin Street without notice. The discussion came amid a series of controversies surrounding Houston's bike lanes. The city removed protective barriers, known as " armadillos," from bike lanes in the Heights, citing maintenance concerns.
Debate Over Training Space Shutters Bike Lane in Front of Houston Fire Station

3 weeks ago | firehouse.com | Ryan Nickerson

Apr. 1—Houston officials say an Austin Street bike lane interfered with firefighter training at Station 7, justifying its removal as part of a controversial street rehabilitation project. But the Houston Fire Department says firefighters regularly trained in that space — until construction forced them to move. "Each fire station has different access to public space for training, depending on the neighborhood," said HFD Communications Director Brent Taylor.
City claims Austin Street bike lane blocked HFD

3 weeks ago | houstonchronicle.com | Ryan Nickerson

But the Houston Fire Department says firefighters regularly trained in that space - until construction forced them to move. "Each fire station has different access to public space for training, depending on the neighborhood," said HFD Communications Director Brent Taylor. "At Station 7, firefighters perform apparatus training, such as deploying the aerial ladder or practicing cab operations, in the space where road maintenance is now underway.
Houston says Austin Street bike lane blocked fire training, defends removal

3 weeks ago | houstonchronicle.com | Ryan Nickerson

The city's controversial decision to remove a dedicated bike lane on Austin Street was intended to improve infrastructure maintenance and neighborhood safety, the Houston mayor's office said Monday in response to criticism from bicycle advocates. Marlene Gafrick, an adviser to Mayor John Whitmire, said the decision came after receiving complaints from residents and city departments about the bike lane's impact.
Houston quietly removes major bike lane protections, sparking outrage

3 weeks ago | houstonchronicle.com | Ryan Nickerson

Without prior announcement, the city of Houston has begun removing the dedicated bike lane on a key street, raising concerns among residents about transparency and the city's commitment to pedestrian and cycling infrastructure. The potential loss of the Austin Street bike lane first came to light through a Texas Public Information Act request by a community activist.
Need to dump bulky trash? This map shows Houston's nearest depositories

3 weeks ago | houstonchronicle.com | Ryan Nickerson

Need to get rid of bulky trash, tree waste, household appliances, or old furniture? What used to be called city trash dumps are now, in more polished terms, " neighborhood depositories" - free sites where Houston residents can dispose of waste responsibly. In 2024, heavy trash pickup was one of the top concerns for city residents, according to Houston's 311 complaint data. By taking heavy trash to a neighborhood depository, residents don't need to wait on the city's collection schedule.
Houston's bike committee chair is stepping down. Here's why.

4 weeks ago | houstonchronicle.com | Ryan Nickerson

The chair of Houston's Bicycle Advisory Committee has announced plans to resign after leading the group for five years. Tom Compson, appointed by former Mayor Sylvester Turner in 2020, was the second chair of the BAC since its inception in 2017. He said he intends to step down because he believes the committee needs stronger leadership to challenge Mayor John Whitmire's approach to transportation policy-particularly the administration's reversal of pedestrian and bike safety initiatives.