Convenience Big Store: Katy ISD leaders want more cell phone restrictions

Houston is one of the best cities for naked biking. Wait, what?

In what has to be the weirdest story I've read in a while, Houston was ranked in the top 15 best U.S. cities for naked biking by a study, my cohort Octavia Johnson reports.

"LawnStarter compared 500 of the largest U.S. cities by analyzing the naked biking popularity, cyclist-friendliness, nudist-friendliness, climate and safety," Octavia writes. "The methodology placed Houston at No. 13 with an overall score of 53.22 out of 100 points. The city ranked lower than Austin in overall score. Austin was listed at No. 9."

I have lived in the Houston area for about 15 years, and I lived in in Austin for about 10, and at no point have I ever witnessed a naked cyclist. To be honest, I thought we had laws against that.

Apparently not, because the "World Naked Bike Ride in H-Town bikes to protest car culture and dependency on fossil fuels," Octavia reports.

Octavia's story does a great job explaining Houston's friendliness towards nude biking, but I have questions.

What inspired this study? Did they just want the world to know where they could cycle sans apparel and face the least opposition?

Given that much of cycling gear is designed to protect riders, is this a safety issue?

If naked cycling is so common, why haven't I seen this? Do they ride in obscure places or under the cover of darkness? Is there a secret underground naked cycling world I don't know about?

Let me know if you have the insider scoop on naked cycling, because I'm genuinely curious.

Claire Goodman, Katy reporter

claire.goodman@houstonchronicle.com

Growing Katy

Vogs Coffeehouse, an Istanbul-based chain, has launched its first location in Katy, offering authentic Turkish coffee and pastries alongside traditional coffee shop favorites.

Photo by: Vogs Coffeehouse

Vogs Coffehouse brings traditional Turkish coffee, pastries to Katy

Vogs Coffeehouse, an Istanbul-based chain, has launched its first location in Katy, offering authentic Turkish coffee and confections.

Need to Know

A llama cranes over Ezekiel Lopez, age 2, to get at a bag of food held by Corrine Carswell, left, at the petting zoo area during the 17th Annual 7 Acre Wood Easter Egg Hunt and Vendor Market Saturday, April 16, 2022 in Conroe, TX.

Photo by: Michael Wyke / Contributor

Things to do in Houston suburbs this summer for $10 or less

Things to do in Houston's suburbs for less than $10, from Katy to Cypress

Education

Katy ISD Board of Trustees President Victor Perez and Superintendent Ken Gregorski listen to comments during a board of trustees meeting on Monday, Aug. 28, 2023 in Katy. The Katy ISD board of trustees took public comments on how to address gender fluidity among students.

Photo by: Elizabeth Conley, Staff Photographer

Katy ISD leaders want more cell phone restrictions, but stop short of ban

A new version of Katy ISD's code of conduct would add phone restrictions but does not call for a total ban. Some trustees, however, still want a ban.

Katy ISD Superintendent Ken Gregorski during the Pledge of Allegiance before public comments about employing chaplains at the Katy ISD school board meeting at Katy ISD Educational Support Building on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024, in Katy.

Photo by: Karen Warren, Staff Photographer

Katy ISD principals say no to pajama ban, because pajamas are fun

Katy ISD principals are urging the Katy ISD board of trustees not to ban pajamas from the dress code for the 2024-25 school year.

Openings and Closings

Old Chicago Pizza and Taproom, located at 24515 Katy Freeway, has closed its doors.

Shout out

Katy ISD is seeking to hire professionals to join the district's operations team. The district will be hosting a Summer Operations Job Fair on Saturday, July 13, from 9:00-11:00 a.m. at Katy High School.

The district is hiring bus drivers, custodial workers, maintenance staff, grounds crew and security guards. Benefits include competitive salaries, health insurance options, flexible hours, and full and part-time positions.

Visit the Katy ISD Human Resources webpage to learn more.