The Woodlands Township's pathway safety campaign has produced more than 20 educational videos, generated a partnership with the fire department, and drawn significant public attention in its first year, according to a report the Board of Directors unanimously accepted on Thursday, July 23.
Director of Communications LeaAnn Petersen presented the one-year update on the Respect the Path initiative at the Board's regular meeting at Township Town Hall, 2801 Technology Forest Boulevard. The campaign launched in 2025 to promote safe, courteous use of the community's more than 200 miles of shared pathways for walkers, cyclists, runners, and anyone on wheels.
In its first year, the Communications Department produced more than 20 educational videos, developed print materials, partnered with Neighborhood Services on community events, and coordinated with The Woodlands Fire Department to collect and analyze pathway incident data, according to the Township's Boardroom Briefing.
One number stood out. Petersen highlighted a campaign video featuring Board members that received more than 25,000 views within one day of distribution. The Township's official social media account shared the video on Wednesday, July 22, the day before the meeting.
Why it launched
The campaign grew out of a special Board meeting on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, where directors and community partners discussed rising safety concerns around e-bikes and electric scooters on pathways. That meeting brought together the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office, Harris County Constable Precinct 4, Montgomery County Constable Precinct 3, Conroe ISD, Tomball ISD, and the Montgomery County Hospital District.
Fire Department data presented at a separate Board meeting in March showed 37 pathway incidents tracked over an eight-month period. Of those, 25 involved vehicles, and in 29 cases the cyclist or e-bike rider was not wearing a helmet, the Houston Chronicle reported.
"This is not a Woodlands-only problem, but we can lead the way in addressing it," Township Chairman Brad Bailey said at the March 26 meeting, according to the Chronicle.
What the campaign tells residents
The initiative's core safety messages include slowing down around others, staying to the right and passing on the left, using proper signals when passing, wearing helmets when biking or scootering, avoiding phone distractions, and respecting all pathway users including those with strollers or mobility aids.
In January 2026, Neighborhood Services named Respect the Path as the Project 365 theme for the year. Project 365 is a component of the annual National Night Out campaign that guides monthly outreach on a specific safety concern from May through October, according to the Township's website.
The Board's next scheduled meetings are budget workshops running Monday, August 17 through Thursday, August 20, beginning at 8:30 a.m. at Township Town Hall.
