Bike-ability in OKC

[Zorba]

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.

[Zorba]

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

[josefromtulsa]

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.

[josefromtulsa]

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.

[mugofbeer]

Sorry for asking but what is BTW Park?

[KayneMo]

^Booker T. Washington Park.

[Brett]

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.

[ksearls]

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.

[jompster]

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

[josefromtulsa]

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.

[Brett]

A related subject that I'm too lazy to create a new thread for is that Wheeler Dealer (formerly located @ NW 50th & N. May Ave) has moved to 9414 N. May Ave (Britton Rd & N. May Ave)

Wheeler Dealer Bicycle Shop

[josefromtulsa]

Per city of OKC:

"Oklahoma City Council approves final plans for first phase of MAPS 4 Innovation District connectivity projects
Post Date:09/10/2024 4:16 PM
Oklahoma City Council approved final plans today for the first phase of neighborhood connectivity improvements in the Innovation District as part of MAPS 4.

This project, located in Northeast OKC, will enhance bicycle and pedestrian safety in the Innovation District and linkages to surrounding areas along the corridor.

MAPS 4 includes $27.8 million total for connectivity improvements in and around the Innovation District. Phase 1 of the project includes $5.1 million for key connections within the district, such as N. Lincoln Blvd. (south of 10th Street), N. Lottie Ave. and NE 8th St (west and east of Lincoln Blvd.).

Phase 1 improvements include:

More than three miles of sidewalk accessibility improvements, including ADA compliance of existing sidewalks and curb ramps at intersections.
Tier 1 protected bike lanes – the highest level of safety features for on-street cyclists – along NE 8th Street as recommended by bikewalkokc. The bike lanes will connect to existing bike lanes along N Lottie Avenue.
Advanced pedestrian signals and traffic monitoring at six intersections to increase pedestrian safety.
Beautification projects and landscaping along the corridor, including 178 new shade trees, 35 benches, aesthetic enhancements and bike racks.
“These improvements will enhance safety for pedestrians and cyclists. From the shade trees and benches to the safer intersections, every aspect of this project has been designed with the community in mind, to encourage connectivity and walkability,” MAPS 4 Program Manager David Todd said.

The Innovation District Neighborhood Connectivity Master Plan was approved by City Council in January 2023. Construction on phase 1 of the project is expected to begin in early 2025.

[josefromtulsa]

Another update the same day as well:

"Oklahoma City Council approved final plans today for the first phase of MAPS 4 Bike Lanes as part of the $22 million dedicated to bike facility improvements across Oklahoma City.

Bike lane locations were selected based on the bikewalkokc plan, which identifies priorities and key connections for cyclists. These projects will help provide a city-wide network of on-street biking facilities to complement the City’s sizeable off-street trail network. The City uses different types of bike facilities, including protected bike lanes and multi-use trails (tier 1), standard bike lanes (tier 2) and shared route or road shoulder facilities (tier 3).

MAPS 4 includes $96.5 million for sidewalks, bike lanes, trails and streetlights to improve the pedestrian experience in neighborhoods and key areas across Oklahoma City. MAPS 4 Bike Lanes phase 1b includes $4.8 million for bike lane projects that prioritize crosstown connections:

Classen Boulevard (North Project):

From Grand Blvd. to Britton Rd.
This project connects 2.6 miles of tier 1, 2, and 3 facilities, featuring 5-foot bike lanes with a 5-foot buffer.
Updating signal detection at Classen and Chesapeake Drive.

NE 16th Street (East Project):

From Walnut Ave. to N. Bryant Ave.
This project connects 2.8 miles of tier 1 and 3 facilities, featuring two 8-foot multi-use paths at Lindsay Avenue to cross the center median.
Updated signal detection at Lottie Ave. and connections to the Katy Trail.
Together, these areas account for over five miles of road that will undergo construction to include tier 1, 2 and 3 facilities, new bike lanes, updated signal detection and trail connections.

“This first phase of MAPS 4 bike lanes will improve cyclists’ experience as they move through our city,” MAPS Program Manager David Todd said. “Improving connectivity for residents through various modes of transportation is a significant goal of MAPS 4. Combined with the sidewalks projects already under construction and the many transit improvements, residents can expect a better experience traveling around Oklahoma City thanks to MAPS 4.”

Construction on phase 1B projects will start in 2025 with a scheduled completion in 2025.

Additional plans for bike lane projects will be included in future phases. Visit okc.gov/maps4 and bit.ly/MAPS4Bikes to learn more.

[okcrun]

Wonder how much of these will include new concrete? I've biked west on NW 16th/19th to Overholser and also east on 16th to the Katy trail a number of times and outside of not being protected in any way the asphalt is in pretty bad shape and does not make for a pleasant ride at all. I always feel like I'm just waiting for a flat tire.

[mrdude]

Glad to see this. I just did Hide and Go Bike in midtown tonight with over 200 people and was impressed how far we’ve come in a couple of decades. Investing in bike-ability right now is wise given how spread out we already are, especially that area near OU and deep deuce where so many live.

[josefromtulsa]

Wonder how much of these will include new concrete? I've biked west on NW 16th/19th to Overholser and also east on 16th to the Katy trail a number of times and outside of not being protected in any way the asphalt is in pretty bad shape and does not make for a pleasant ride at all. I always feel like I'm just waiting for a flat tire.

I don't think any include funds for new concrete which is a bummer.

The new bike route that went down Culbertson and I know parts of 16th are really rough especially on road bikes. I uses a thicker tire on my acoustic and fat tires on my electric so its not too bad for me. Ive spoken with council and planning about maybe just doing a very thin asphalt layer on the bike lanes to smooth them out but its hard as it is to get support for these projects.

[SEMIweather]

The new bike lane on Kelley between NE 26th & NE 23rd should be the standard for these types of projects, but unfortunately the low effort projects like Shartel between NW 23rd and NW 50th seem to be much more common.