Lost in OK

Today, at 1:30 PM, the Oklahoma City Traffic and Transportation Commission will consider a recommendation to make several large changes to the city’s cycling ordinances.  In brief, the changes consist of the following:

1. The proposal would allow cyclists to have full use of the lane on any road designated as a bicycle route.  A bicycle route is a designated piece of a road way primarily consisting of the 200 miles of bike routes laid out in the city’s cycling master plan, not just a road containing a “Share the Road” sign.
2. In relation to the proposal above, the ordinance would specifically state that a vehicle would be required to fully change lanes to over take the cyclist on designated bicycle routes.  If there is no room, to change lanes, the vehicle would be required to yield to the bicycle as a piece of normal traffic and comply with “all traffic control devices and pavement markings which prohibit lane changes.”
3. Limits the conditions upon which more than two people can ride upon a bicycle.
4. Broadens the places where cyclists can park their bicycles on sidewalks.
5. Limit the use of “tall handlebars” (handlebars taller than 12 inches) except upon recumbent bicycles.

The full documentation for the proposed changes by Mr. Randall Entz of the Planning Department, can be found at the Meeting Agenda website: http://www.okc.gov/AgendaPub/meeting.aspx?cabinet=published_meetings&docid=30140.  If approved by the Traffic Commission, the proposal would then move to the full city counsel for consideration.  The meeting agenda does allow for public comments from citizens.  The meeting will be held at the City Council Chambers, 3rd Floor, 200 N. Walker.

At today’s commission meeting, the Oklahoma City Traffic and Transportation Commission unanimously recommended passage of the proposed cycling ordinance changes (see details here).  The proposed changes will now move to the full City Council for consideration.

HB 2049 which would designate Route 66 as an Historic Bike Trail has passed the Oklahoma House and now moves to the Senate for consideration.

Spring is upon us!  Every day the sun shines a bit longer, the flowers bloom a bit brighter, the grass turns a bit greener and the Grizzly Adams jokes get just a bit older.  So like last year, I again take up the challenge to remove the fur for the wonderful St. Baldrick’s Foundation.  The St. Baldrick’s Foundation provides much needed grants for childhood cancer research and I’m gladly taking up their challenge to shave my head not only in solidarity with childhood cancer patients but to also help raise money for this wonderful cause.

So, I know it’s been quiet around here lately and it’s my standard excuse; some big projects both work and personal have just been eating up my time and keeping me away from the blog.  However, the schedule has opened up a bit and there has been a lot of exciting news lately including some very promising legislative updates.  In any case, I’ll be catching up over the next week or so . . .

Photo By: Mr. T in DC

Over the last couple of months four new bills regarding bicycling have been introduced to the Oklahoma Legislature and are making their way through the committee and floor processes. The first three are part of the safety legislation that Sen. Andrew Rice has been discussing for the last several months and the last designates old Route 66 as a bicycle trail.

In case you are really bored, not living in Oklahoma and would like to spend some time watching snow fall, I present Snowpocalypse Cam. You too can watch a really fuzzy image for hours on end, enjoy!

Watch live streaming video from radicalwacko at livestream.com

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The route for the 32nd Oklahoma Freewheel has been announced and will go through the East Central part of the state this year, which will mean some longer legs but probably a few less hills than last year.  The itinerary is as follows:

• Day 0, 6/11 – 40 Miles, Durant to Red River and back
• Day 1, 6/12 – 66 Miles, Durant to Coalgate
• Day 2, 6/13 – 60 Miles, Colgate to Wewoka
• Day 3, 6/14 – 75 miles, Wewoka to Checotah
• Day 4, 6/15 – 74 miles, Checotah to Bristow
• Day 5, 6/16 – 85 miles, Bristow to Pawnee
• Day 6, 6/17 – 52 miles, Pawnee to Tonkawa
• Day 7, 6/18 – 40 miles, Tonkawa to Caldwell, KS

The cost for this year’s ride has not yet been announced, but will be available in mid-February when early registration begins.

In a case that is bound to cause an uproar with those who hated the signs to begin with, the excellent new “use full lane” signs are now being replaced with a newer version.  The phrase “use full lane” is being replaced with “may use full lane”, which admittedly is much clearer.  KFOR put together a piece about the new signs:

The cost to correct this error is $18,000.  It should be noted that the city council appears to be full behind the new signs despite recent rumors to the contrary.  However, the Oklahoma Bicycling Coalition is wisely encouraging local cyclists to contact their city counsel member and thank them for supporting this new effort.  It can be counted upon that they will be hearing angry complaints from other parties.

Photo By: Michael Patrick

The death of Debra Miller last August has prompted a change from the ODOT regarding the placement of rumble strips on Oklahoma highways:

The guidelines for highway rumble strips — those pavement ridges on the shoulder that alert drivers when they’ve drifted off the road — have been changed, due in part to the death of a Stillwater bicyclist in August.

That’s why rumble strips were installed along State Highway 51 from Stillwater to Interstate 35 earlier this month instead of last summer when the highway was resurfaced, Rep. Cory Williams, D-Stillwater, said.

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