OKC Bicyclist

Update 07/17/2010 6:35 PM: This appears to be an investigation into a fatal hit-and-run crash.  Click here for details

Steve Schlegel of Schelgel Bicycles just posted this on a couple of the area mailing lists and I thought it was very worth of being passed along . . .

I was just notified to a mishap involving an un identified rider. OKC Police are needing assistance in identifying a rider. Please contact OKC POLICE if you think you know this rider as he had no id on him.

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Here’s a wonderful video on the basics of “vehicular cycling”.  If you are going to be out there on the roads, especially here in OKC where you will be a rarity on the road, this kind of knowledge is critical for getting around safely . . .

Walter J. posted this interesting little legal tidbit about the bicycle licensing requirements of Nichols Hills to the OBS mailing list:

Sec. 22-221.  Impoundment.

Any bicycle found upon any of the streets, sidewalks, alleys, parks, or public ways, or upon private property not under the control of the owner of the bicycle, and not licensed as herein required, or which does not otherwise comply with the provisions hereof or state law, shall be impounded until compliance is made. Abandoned bicycles shall be seized and impounded for safe keeping by the police department.

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Sad news as yet another cyclist is killed in the metro area:

A bicyclist was hit and killed by a truck on Kelly Avenue near Main Street in Edmond on Thursday.

The victim’s name was not immediately released. He appeared to be an adult male, Edmond police spokeswoman Glynda Chu said. The man was riding a bicycle on a sidewalk about 5:45 p.m. and lost control as he entered Kelly Avenue, Chu said. He collided with a truck and died at the scene. It wasn’t immediately known whether the victim was wearing a helmet.

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Another completely random article.   This one about two cycling friends and competitors in the 1930’s.

During the Depression, two Oklahomans spent three years on the semipro bike circuit. Earl Bigelow and Carl Spencer were notorious for setting sprint-worthy paces in long-distance races. They were teammates, competitors and friends.

. . .

As teens, these two developed strong calves and thighs while competing as messenger boys in Oklahoma City. Bigelow delivered telegrams for Western Union, Spencer for rival Postal Telegraph.

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Generally, I’m not a big fan of changing laws specifically for bicyclists.  I think the best way to improve the relations with bicyclists and motorists is for us to be viewed as normal vehicles on the road and not as special charity cases.  However, given the number of poorly set sensor lights out there, I’m inclined to agree with this one . . .

Representative Chuck Hoskins has authored House Bill 1795, which would make it legal for motorcycle drivers [and bicyclists] to continue through an intersection even if the light is red. The only requirements would be that the driver come to a complete stop and then make sure it is safe to proceed before going through the light.

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Not that they make much difference, given the woman who ran me off the road a week ago shouting something about me being on “her” roads, but I’m glad to see these articles reminding people about traffic laws in Oklahoma . . .

With a few exceptions, Oklahoma law gives bicycles as much right to use public roads as cars, on the condition that bikes shouldn’t “impede the normal and reasonable flow of traffic.”

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A nice little article from Bartlesville Live reminding us the ABC+ of bicycle equipment checks . . .

A is for air

• Inflate tires to rated pressure as listed on the sidewall of the tire.
• Use a pressure gauge to insure proper pressure.
• Check for damage to tire tread and sidewall; replace if damaged.

B is for brakes

• Inspect pads for wear; replace if there is less than 1/4th of pad left.
• Check pad adjustment; make sure they do not rub tire or dive into spokes.
• Check brake level travel; at least 1” between bar and lever when applied.

C is for cranks, chain and cassette

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Good news for Tulsa . . .

Tulsa has become the first city in Oklahoma to receive a bronze ranking from the League of American Bicyclists, designating it as a “bicycle friendly community.”

Tulsa World: Tulsa being peddled as ‘bicycle friendly’

Given my bad experiences with drivers in OKC this year, I think we aren’t even close to getting something like this.  And of course, Oklahoma as a state ranks 48th in bicycle friendliness according to League of American Bicyclists.