A cyclist rides along the historic Columbia Tap Trail on Wednesday, June 5, 2024 in Houston.

The Columbia Tap Bike Trail, which travels through Third Ward, holds a deep history. Formerly called the Brazoria Railroad, or “Sugar Road,” it was built by enslaved Black people from Brazoria plantations. This photo was taken in 1973 by acclaimed Houston photographer Earlie Hudnall.

Every day, I drive across the Columbia Tap Bike Trail and pause, scanning for cyclists or walkers who may not realize a car is approaching.

Most drivers don't bother to stop or even slow down. Stop signs for vehicles at the trail intersections could help.

When the trail was awarded a $7.5 million grant last fall to improve lighting and safety for pedestrians and cyclists, it marked a major victory for a Third Ward community that had been voicing concerns over security, illegal dumping and........

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