I'm moving to midtown at the end of the month, and It would be great to be able to bike to work from my new apartment, but I work over at 50 Penn, and there's a point at which I would have to hop on the northwest expressway and deal with all the cars - I'm not too thrilled at the prospect, even though it's a relativity short leg of the commute.

Thus, I've been searching on the city's web site, hoping to find a master plan related to the addition of sidewalks in the metro since the passage of maps 3 and (if I recall correctly) the earlier bond issue that included funds specifically for more sidewalks. I'm really curious too see the plans for the northwest expressway, but have come up empty so far. Does anyone with more savy in their online search capability know where I can find the plan for what may, or may not, be in the works for this stretch?

This is the route Google maps is recommending for me: 1217 N Francis Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73106 to 1900 Northwest Expy, Oklahoma City, OK 73118 - Google Maps (http://tinyurl.com/2dup9xy)

I think I agree with it to avoid Classen, since that stretch isn't too bike friendly either. Anyone who also has thoughts on a good route for this commute by bike - feel free to chime in. Thanks!

mheaton - I can't shed much light on sidewalk/bike lane timelines, but here's my guess at the safest route you could try (I'm a roadie and am familiar with this route): Shartel N to 48th (+/-), 48th W to Classen, Classen N to Belle Isle Boulevard ("BIB"), BIB WSW almost to NWX, take the cutoff into the Penn Square Mall parking lot, traverse SW around Elephant Bar to the NWX traffic light that controls entrances to 50 Penn & Penn Square, and you're at work. The best part of this route is Shartel, and the worst is four blocks on Classen from 48th to Belle Isle, but it is four lanes and controlled by the light at 50th. You totally avoid NWX except for crossing it at two stop lights.

Good luck, have fun, and wear your helmet!

Hey, OKCTalker that is a great idea! I hadn't even thought of Belle Isle Blvd...Thanks:bright_id

I'd second OKCTalkers route suggestion, although I see bikers on Classen Blvd every morning. Shartel makes a NICEEE bike ride, probably THE most underrated street in this city.

Shartel makes a NICEEE bike ride, probably THE most underrated street in this city.

Agreed! That will be the best part of the ride, definitely.

NW Expressway is probably the best place to ride bikes. A lot of road bikers ride to Okarche and back. Most start and stop at Morgan Rd. It would be great to go further.

Not a motorcycle... more like this variety...

http://digidew.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/hello-kitty-bicycle.jpg

I think lasomeday was talking about bicycles. I've heard road bikers talking about riding to Enid, so Okarche shouldn't be out of the question.

Also the route OKCTalker mentioned sounds like the best. You could take 16th to Youngs and go North from there. Good luck and props for doing the bike commute!

Not a motorcycle... more like this variety...

http://digidew.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/hello-kitty-bicycle.jpg

Oh look... a Tulsa Townie.

16th and Youngs would be great, if it didn't get cut off so many times along the way ... And, who wouldn't be stylin' on a hello kitty bike? :LolLolLol

I just learned that Google Maps has a bicycling directions function in which it displays a bike-friendly route. The general URL is Google Maps (http://maps.google.com/biking) but the specific route it suggests for mheaton is: Google Maps (http://maps.google.com/maps?hq=http://maps.google.com/help/maps/directions/biking/mapleft.kml&ie=UTF8&ll=37.687624,-122.319717&spn=0.346132,0.727158&z=11&lci=bike&dirflg=b&f=d&utm_campaign=en&utm_medium=van&utm_source=en-van-na-us-gns-bd)

(But it puts him on NWX from 50th & Classen!)

(But it puts him on NWX from 50th & Classen!)

Exactly ... I'm taking your advice on the Belle Isle Blvd. suggestion over Google's.