There's a thread for walkability in OKC but I wanted to get a thread going to discuss bicycling, particularly for those commuting to work or for other non-recreational reasons. Today I rode my bike to work for the first time and it took me 15 minutes, about 5 minutes more than my usual commute in a car. For reference I live around NW 27th and Walker and I work around NE 42nd and Lincoln.

My ride is great and mostly on small, low-speed, low-traffic streets. I do, however, have to cross the 36th St underpass at I-235 and its so dangerous (blind curves and sun glare during the morning) I just get off my bike and walk it. There's a crosswalk at the offramp from I-235 but not one at NE 36th and Sante Fe. Hopefully the shared-used path on NE 36th St does get built and the protected bike lane on Lincoln as according to the ACOG 2045 Bicycle Vision.

Any other OKCTalkers want to share how there bike commute is and any spots where infrastructure is missing?

I did a 17 mile commute (NW Okc to Downtown) before switching jobs. I was mostly on the trail system. Overall pretty nice, but there are a lot of intersections where cars would pull out in front of you while on trail. Maybe some green dashed paint at these intersections would help. There was also a lot of debris is places. I did almost get ran over by a city bus one time... fun stuff.

Just for general review, here is the OCARTS Regional Active Transportation Plan
https://www.acogok.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/OCARTS-Regional-Active-Transportation-Plan.pdf

The MTP is developed at least every five years
by ACOG and includes priorities for the next 30
years. The MTP is a fiscally constrained plan that
outlines future investment in highway, transit, and
multimodal improvements to support regional
growth and ACOG goals. The plan includes
recommendations for streets and highways, airport
access, transit, freight movement, and bicycle and
pedestrian facilities.


Biking information starts on p. 18 of the PDF / p. 14 of the report.


PRIORITY BICYCLE CORRIDORS
ACOG’s BPAC committee met several times during
the planning process to alter and finalize the priority
bicycle corridors. The committee used existing
bicycle facilities and planned facilities to identify key
routes that connect the various bike networks and
high demand locations (parks, lakes, and population
centers) in the region. This network is designed to
get bicyclists around these areas of the region safely
and quickly. Existing bicycle facilities on these routes
are ideal for expansion or improvement. It should be
noted these are suggestions only. This is a long-term
vision for the region and cities have the freedom to
adapt this to their individual needs as circumstances
change. The Priority Bicycle Corridor map can be
seen on Figure 3.5.

For years I commuted from NW 42nd and Villa to NW 150th & Portland. I had one main route and a couple alternates I'd take occasionally. All through neighborhoods. Only had to cross main streets. I raced much of that time so I pretty much time trialed most days. I could make it in 24 to 30 minutes if I didn't have to wait long at the main streets. In the mid 70s two other guys and I all lived around NW 36th to 50th and May. We often rode from home to Crossroads Mall to play in the arcade. That could also be done all through neighborhoods.

I did a 17 mile commute (NW Okc to Downtown) before switching jobs. I was mostly on the trail system. Overall pretty nice, but there are a lot of intersections where cars would pull out in front of you while on trail. Maybe some green dashed paint at these intersections would help. There was also a lot of debris is places. I did almost get ran over by a city bus one time... fun stuff.

I think green paint on those intersections would be great. while I don't bike much I do try to be cautious while driving and observe bike lanes and intersections so that bikers are safe. i think some public education TV and Radio spots coupled with marking lanes and intersections would go a long way in not only promoting bike use but also safety.

I did a 17 mile commute (NW Okc to Downtown) before switching jobs. I was mostly on the trail system. Overall pretty nice, but there are a lot of intersections where cars would pull out in front of you while on trail. Maybe some green dashed paint at these intersections would help. There was also a lot of debris is places. I did almost get ran over by a city bus one time... fun stuff.

OKC has a street sweeper just for bike lanes. I wonder if that also runs on the trails or how those are cleaned of debris.

For years I commuted from NW 42nd and Villa to NW 150th & Portland. I had one main route and a couple alternates I'd take occasionally. All through neighborhoods. Only had to cross main streets. I raced much of that time so I pretty much time trialed most days. I could make it in 24 to 30 minutes if I didn't have to wait long at the main streets. In the mid 70s two other guys and I all lived around NW 36th to 50th and May. We often rode from home to Crossroads Mall to play in the arcade. That could also be done all through neighborhoods.

This is why the older neighborhoods with rectangular blocks instead of curvilinear streets in newer subdivisions will always be better for bike-ped.


I think green paint on those intersections would be great. while I don't bike much I do try to be cautious while driving and observe bike lanes and intersections so that bikers are safe. i think some public education TV and Radio spots coupled with marking lanes and intersections would go a long way in not only promoting bike use but also safety.

ACOG has WatchForMe which does just that!
We do need more of that striping. They do have green paint on the road at I-44 and NW 16th where Grand Trail crosses over the interstate.

I appreciate you looking out.

The biggest section is on NW 63rd, just west of NW Expressway. Also N/S along Portland.

Crossing 39th is always a little sketchy. But the major roads of 50th, 36th, and 23rd can be worse with cars turning right at the intersection although the light says "walk".

**I understand these are crosswalks, but they are a part of the OKC Trail System, which is also meant for bikes.

OKC has a street sweeper just for bike lanes. I wonder if that also runs on the trails or how those are cleaned of debris.

They need to hit up General Pershing BLVD. between the Fairgrounds and Downtown. One thing recently is there are a ton of stickers on the trail. Soooo many flats (not just me, but I've heard in throughout the community). It would be nice if after they mow near the trail, they run a leaf blower over to blow some of the stickers off.

They need to hit up General Pershing BLVD. between the Fairgrounds and Downtown. One thing recently is there are a ton of stickers on the trail. Soooo many flats (not just me, but I've heard in throughout the community). It would be nice if after they mow near the trail, they run a leaf blower over to blow some of the stickers off.

And I believe the last time we went down it, a few weeks ago, a lot of the pylons had been knocked down and not replaced.

Surprised to see Shawn hasn’t posted in this thread yet…

This is why the older neighborhoods with rectangular blocks instead of curvilinear streets in newer subdivisions will always be better for bike-ped.Even some older subdivisions with twisty streets still had streets that went completely through a mile from one man street to the next. Quail Creek is an example. Our subdivision you can get from Rockwell to Council but there's absolutely no way to get from Britton to Hefner. There's two subdivisions that just don't have even one connected street. Sad.

I think green paint on those intersections would be great. while I don't bike much I do try to be cautious while driving and observe bike lanes and intersections so that bikers are safe. i think some public education TV and Radio spots coupled with marking lanes and intersections would go a long way in not only promoting bike use but also safety.

Also that it is important that bikes go the correct direction (the direction of the large, painted arrows) when using the bike lanes. Sometimes it's hard to see bicyclists coming the wrong way on the bike lanes especially when you don't expect them to be going the wrong way.

Education for both drivers and bicyclists regarding using the bike lanes to make turns at intersections would be helpful along with continuing the bike lane markings in intersections to help remind people. Like here in Kansas City (https://goo.gl/maps/UVZMKKMrCE75BNph8) or here in Kansas City (https://goo.gl/maps/S9x3Bk4uw41XEXWV9).

RIVERSPORT OKC announces a new hub for cyclists https://www.velocityokc.com/blog/development/riversport-okc-announces-a-new-hub-for-cyclists/?back=super_blog

RIVERSPORT OKC announces a new hub for cyclists https://www.velocityokc.com/blog/development/riversport-okc-announces-a-new-hub-for-cyclists/?back=super_blog

That should actually be really neat. Getting more people on the trail system will help people see the advantage of having a robust system of trails.

Ward 5 is definitely not bike-able. No trails still even though one was listed in Maps 3.

OKC got its first parking protected bike lanes on Lottie from NE 23rd to 13th St.


OKLAHOMA CITY — Last month saw construction begin on what will be Oklahoma City’s first-ever parking-protected bike lane, providing significantly improved safety for cyclists by placing the bike lane between a line of on-street parking spaces and the curb.

This new parking-protected lane will span the length of Lottie Ave. from NE 13th Street to NE 23rd Street on the city’s Eastside, the first phase of a larger bike lane construction project planned to run from NE 4th Street to Madison Street and North Kelley Ave.

This pilot project is budgeted at $800,000 through the voter-approved Better Streets Safer City grant and ACOG’s Air Quality Small Grant Program.

- https://freepressokc.com/1st-parking-protected-bike-lane-to-shield-cyclists-in-ne-okc/

Sure would be nice to see people actually out biking.

Going to mention, other night, southbound 16th and Classen where the 3 lanes become 2 with the bike lane... Car next to decided NOT to make the "must turn right" and continues straight down the bike lane until the pylons start and swerves quick in front of me. Green dashes, signs, arrows, etc. meant nothing to that driver.

Sure would be nice to see people actually out biking.

I ride about 60 miles a week, road or gravel. I see lots of people riding recreationally and to commute. I see people all over the city riding...?

Going to mention, other night, southbound 16th and Classen where the 3 lanes become 2 with the bike lane... Car next to decided NOT to make the "must turn right" and continues straight down the bike lane until the pylons start and swerves quick in front of me. Green dashes, signs, arrows, etc. meant nothing to that driver.

I run into this a lot where people don't seem to understand whats going on with the bike lanes. I wish there was a better way to report them. I thought riding my motorcycle was dangerous!

Going to mention, other night, southbound 16th and Classen where the 3 lanes become 2 with the bike lane... Car next to decided NOT to make the "must turn right" and continues straight down the bike lane until the pylons start and swerves quick in front of me. Green dashes, signs, arrows, etc. meant nothing to that driver.

Seems like traffic striping and signage are just a minor inconvenience to most drivers these days.... Stop signs/lights, speed limit signs, no turn..... No problem... Just ignore the signs.

I ride about 60 miles a week, road or gravel. I see lots of people riding recreationally and to commute. I see people all over the city riding...?

Come on. I ride my bike frequently. There are a few other bikers around but it is not a large number at all.

I rarely see people in OKC cycling. Give up your dreams of OKC being a cyclists friendly city. Roads are for cars. Not bikes.

I run into this a lot where people don't seem to understand whats going on with the bike lanes. I wish there was a better way to report them. I thought riding my motorcycle was dangerous!

Whenever a change is made to the flow of traffic it takes time for drivers to adjust. If it is a major roadway like classen you might need the police to enforce the changes. I have heard of police officers writing tickets for not wearing a seat belt when those were first introduced. You will need to fund the police to change the public behavior.

It is a rare day when I see a cyclist using a bike lane. I don’t understand why anyone would use a bike lane on a major thoroughfare like Classen rather than a safer side street.

I live close to downtown and I see bikers use the bike lanes everyday. The bicyclists from the north typically use them for recreation and exercise to get to the river. The ones from the south typically use them to access services. Bikes are a very important resource for our homeless friends.

I rarely see people in OKC cycling. Give up your dreams of OKC being a cyclists friendly city. Roads are for cars. Not bikes.

i'm not falling for that hot take. that's clearly someone with a fixation for getting yelled at. i refuse to participate in that kind of debauchery

i'm not falling for that hot take. that's clearly someone with a fixation for getting yelled at. i refuse to participate in that kind of debauchery
Fine. Enjoy trying to get roads bike friendly in OKC. You’ll be like an old man yelling at a cloud.

I live close to downtown and I see bikers use the bike lanes everyday. The bicyclists from the north typically use them for recreation and exercise to get to the river. The ones from the south typically use them to access services. Bikes are a very important resource for our homeless friends.

There has been some slight increase in bikes, but very slight is my observation. OKC is improving, with still a fair ways to go. But it seems like we are trying to induce bike riding as a means of transportation vs responding to a demand. We have made improvements and I observe little to no use on those. I see amusement riding or fitness riding around Lake Hefner, but rarely at other trails or on streets where there are bike protections. Where are all these riders that we are fighting for?

There has been some slight increase in bikes, but very slight is my observation. OKC is improving, with still a fair ways to go. But it seems like we are trying to induce bike riding as a means of transportation vs responding to a demand. We have made improvements and I observe little to no use on those. I see amusement riding or fitness riding around Lake Hefner, but rarely at other trails or on streets where there are bike protections. Where are all these riders that we are fighting for?

How many people do you need to see swimming across a river before you feel it is worth fighting for a bridge?

How many people do you need to see swimming across a river before you feel it is worth fighting for a bridge?
Not really valid comparison in this scenario. Even if you built bike lanes on every single major arterial in the city the ROI would be minimal. Not that it shouldn’t be done but focus should be more downtown and then in suburban areas more trail corridors for recreation where they can be connected one day.

For the sake of pedestrians and bicycle riders, right on red should be ended in the urban core areas

They are doing a lot of bike paths by my house on Independence from integris, to wilshire: then leading to the lake bike trail.

How many people do you need to see swimming across a river before you feel it is worth fighting for a bridge?

How many people do you need to see flying to the moon before you build a rocket ship. WTH kind of comparison. lol

How many people do you need to see flying to the moon before you build a rocket ship. WTH kind of comparison. lol
Exactly.

How many dead or seriously injured cyclists do you need to see who used "share the road" lanes before you see dedicated cycling roads like what they've recently done with Lake Hefner Drive/Grand Blvd over Hefner Parkway?

I'm not an avid cyclist but I rode over 350 miles this year...a majority of that from my house in The Village.

I'm 6' 5" and a relatively large target on my XL bicycle frame. I think those of you who argue bicycle use on roadways, just need to pay more attention to your surroundings. After all, driving is a privilege.

Streets and roads existed for millennia before automobiles. They belong to the public, not just those who choose to (and who can afford to) drive automobiles. And it’s also a well-documented fact that quality bicycle facilities are not only great for businesses fronting them, but also make the road safer for EVERYONE, including those in automobiles. Hating on bicycle infrastructure is very 20th century. Wake up.

Streets and roads existed for millennia before automobiles. They belong to the public, not just those who choose to (and who can afford to) drive automobiles. And it’s also a well-documented fact that quality bicycle facilities are not only great for businesses fronting them, but also make the road safer for EVERYONE, including those in automobiles. Hating on bicycle infrastructure is very 20th century. Wake up.
Totally agree. But, It would help promote more infrastructure development if we got more buy in with what we have. I was driving around downtown about two hours today and saw zero riders anywhere. We need to use what we have. Are we putting it in the wrong places? Why don’t we see riders?

Streets and roads existed for millennia before automobiles. They belong to the public, not just those who choose to (and who can afford to) drive automobiles. And it’s also a well-documented fact that quality bicycle facilities are not only great for businesses fronting them, but also make the road safer for EVERYONE, including those in automobiles. Hating on bicycle infrastructure is very 20th century. Wake up.
They belong to cars. Things change and evolve. Get with the times.

They belong to cars. Things change and evolve. Get with the times.

And often they evolve back to better and more sane choices. Extrapolating is a fools science.

And often they evolve back to better and more sane choices. Extrapolating is a fools science.
Okay have fun biking in 100 degree weather in a city sprawled out for dozens of miles. I cycle in OKC for recreational purposes as the same in LA and people are very aggressive towards cyclists.

Okay have fun biking in 100 degree weather in a city sprawled out for dozens of miles. I cycle in OKC for recreational purposes as the same in LA and people are very aggressive towards cyclists.As far as 100 degree or 20 degree riding you can get used to it.
As far as driver aggression I hate to but I have to agree. For many years I put 7 thousand+ miles on a bicycle. Much of that was the actual races and other rides. Or the many, many laps around Hefner. But a lot was commuting from NW 42nd & Villa to NW 150th & Portland. Which I could do with only crossing main streets. That was good and safe.
Point being that I'm not an inexperienced cyclist.
The idea of riding many of the bike lanes I see now, especially like one in particular near Western and NW 16th where the bike lane crosses traffic lanes? Hard pass. Looks like a good way to get run over. And cars don't want bikes out there. Me and the groups I rode with got near-missed, flipped off, honked at, stuff thrown at us , etc. way more often than anyone should have to deal with. And that was 7ish and more years ago when I could still ride. I have no doubt it's worse now.

Just as with everything - there are bad apples on both sides. Bicyclists that don’t follow road signs yet ride on the road aggravate me. I drive around Hefner almost daily and witness near crashes occasionally because a biker won’t stop at their stop sign when the car has the right of way. I bike but I stay on the path and stop when needed. I don’t want to become the person I get upset with.

Just today watched a YouTube video about biking in Montreal and the infrastructure investments they’ve done there. OKC has potential but the investment and political will is weak comparatively. Something like Visited the best city in North America.

Just today watched a YouTube video about biking in Montreal and the infrastructure investments they’ve done there. OKC has potential but the investment and political will is weak comparatively. Something like Visited the best city in North America.

I was there in early October and was amazed at the bike infrastructure they had. It was quite impressive near the hotel I stayed at.

Not sure if this info is already posted but this is a good summary:

https://www.yahoo.com/news/newest-okc-construction-connect-latest-120125933.html

Just as with everything - there are bad apples on both sides. Bicyclists that don’t follow road signs yet ride on the road aggravate me. I drive around Hefner almost daily and witness near crashes occasionally because a biker won’t stop at their stop sign when the car has the right of way. I bike but I stay on the path and stop when needed. I don’t want to become the person I get upset with.This is true. I put many, many tens of thousands of miles on bicycles and was involved with the OBS and Hal McKnight in getting the trails started back in the beginning. I get upset when riders on the street simply ignore laws and basic "rules of the road" etiquette. No reason to excessively aggravate the drivers that already don't want us out there.
I get

This is true. I put many, many tens of thousands of miles on bicycles and was involved with the OBS and Hal McKnight in getting the trails started back in the beginning. I get upset when riders on the street simply ignore laws and basic "rules of the road" etiquette. No reason to excessively aggravate the drivers that already don't want us out there.
I get
Spot on.

This does not excuse dangerous or rude drivers, but there are dangerous and rude bikers too. Both are a problem here. Especially since there isn’t a culture of the two coexisting over a long time. No understanding of the rules, written or just understood.

I’m an older rider and understand the importance of following the rules better for my own safety. I don’t make risky decisions and am aware of potential drivers in front and behind who look like they can present a problem. This makes me more aware as I’m driving, too.

I totally agree with post #26, the idea of intentionally mixing bikes with automobiles on a busy traffic artery even in designated bike lanes) is just insane. The easy solution is designating certain sidestreets as bus/bicycle/scooter only streets (local auto traffic only) and keep them separate whenever possible.

Denver has a lot of people using alternate types of of transportation, especially in the urban parts, and there is little more maddening than following a bicyclist after a long work day casually riding in the middle of a traffic lane holding up multiple vehicles behind him. Some take their bicycling far too seriously.

I say keep the modes separate.

Totally agree. But, It would help promote more infrastructure development if we got more buy in with what we have. I was driving around downtown about two hours today and saw zero riders anywhere. We need to use what we have. Are we putting it in the wrong places? Why don’t we see riders?

Riders still don't feel safe on the infrastructure and the safe infrastructure isn't complete enough. Many of our new trails have scores of driveway crossing ever mile, so yeah they are separated, but they still aren't safe or enjoyable. Then even though they have a ton of road/driveway crossings, they still don't have direct routing.

Just today watched a YouTube video about biking in Montreal and the infrastructure investments they’ve done there. OKC has potential but the investment and political will is weak comparatively. Something like Visited the best city in North America.

Pretty sure this is the one you are referring to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yDtLv-7xZ4

Sure would be nice to see people actually out biking.

Ridership numbers on Classen Blvd has increased according to data from Strava Metro. You can see a clear increase in numbers after the lanes were painted. I wish i could share it but its against the TOS to share screenshots or data without permission.

New bike lanes are nearing completion on Lottie Ave from NE4th to NE23rd. These will be great for allowing better access to BTW Park which is set to see a 1.5M renovation from OKC parks. The planned Legacy Trail would connect this path directly to Bricktown.

Sorry for asking but what is BTW Park?

^Booker T. Washington Park.

N. Villa from NW Expressway to NW 63rd St is getting bicycle designation painted in the roadway. N. Grand Blvd. has bicycle designation painted on the roadway westward from the end of Nichols Hills city limits to Lake Hefner.

N. Villa from NW Expressway to NW 63rd St is getting bicycle designation painted in the roadway. N. Grand Blvd. has bicycle designation painted on the roadway westward from the end of Nichols Hills city limits to Lake Hefner.

Good luck to any bikers who take the Villa route. Villa is in terrible shape; numerous poorly patched potholes, huge cracks in the road everywhere. It's a horrible stretch of road that has been badly in need of repair for a long time.

They just finished adding bike lane designations from the bike lanes on NW 39th down Youngs to NW 50th as well.

Good luck to any bikers who take the Villa route. Villa is in terrible shape; numerous poorly patched potholes, huge cracks in the road everywhere. It's a horrible stretch of road that has been badly in need of repair for a long time.

Villa and Independence are very rough certainly need to be redone. Hopefully in the future they can do some one way conversions with two way cycleways.