Oklahoma

Many of you have expressed upset, if not downright dismay, at the lack of head shaving from me this year. While I really enjoyed the St. Baldrick’s Day event, this year I am serving on the organizing committee for the Tour de Cure ride in Mustang, Oklahoma. This ride raises critical funding for diabetes research for the American Diabetes Association. As of 2010, over 10% of Oklahoman’s have been diagnosed with some form of diabetes and many more remain undiagnosed. This far outstrips the national average and it one of the most critical health issues facing our state. So, to do my part, I am going to be riding the 62 mile distance on June 23rd in Mustang, OK.

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The League of American Bicyclists has increased Oklahoma’s bicycle friendliness ranking from 43rd in 2011 to 35th this year. Even more impressive to note is that in 2008, Oklahoma was ranked 48th. According to the League, this steady improvement is due to increases in “infrastructure and funding that provide on-the-ground bicycle facilities; education and encourage programs that promote cycling; and passage and enforcement of bicycle-friendly laws that make it safe and comfortable for people of all ages to ride.”

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Back in November, St. Gregory’s University’s Benedictine Hall, built in 1915, was severely damaged from an earthquake. Now the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, the Shawnee Pedalers Cycling Club and Team PG-13 Cycling Club are organizing a bicycle race and tour on May 28th to raise money for its repair:

Bicycling enthusiasts can travel back in time by participating in the St. Gregory’s University Memorial Day Road Race and Bicycle Tour on May 28. Event courses follow scenic roads from SGU to historic Sacred Heart Mission in Konawa. Proceeds from the race and tour go toward restoring SGU’s Benedictine Hall, which was severely damaged as a result of an earthquake in November. The Citizen Potawatomi Nation is the presenting sponsor for the event.

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The Oklahoma chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society opened their Art Bike Tulsa show today at the Williams Tower Two lobby.

Art Bike Tulsa 2012 is an installation of colorful, uniquely-designed bicycles that have been transformed by local artists to raise awareness about Multiple Sclerosis and the MS society’s annual bike ride/fundraiser.

via KTUL.com - Tulsa’s Channel 8 - News, Weather & Sports - MS Society “Art Bike Tulsa” Preview.

The OKC bike sharing program, Spokies, has announced where the first six kiosk locations will be placed. Spread out from Midtown to Deep Deuce to Bricktown and the Convention Center, the system seems well placed to provide easy transportation throughout downtown.

Memberships will range from $75 dollars for a full year to $5 for a day.  Rentals are free for the first 30 minutes and $2 for each half-hour after that.  You can get full details at their website, http://spokiesokc.com or by following them @SpokiesOKC on twitter.

Tulsa is doing a little bragging about their bicycle trail system and on paper, it seems well justified.  Unlike the OKC system, Tulsa’s seems well designed for both recreation and transportation which is a big bragging point.

It connects neighborhoods to downtown and that’s not the case in many cities.

Since 1999 the system has grown from just 25 miles to about 100, with a lot more trail work being planned.

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State Troopers are seeking the driver of a vehicle who struck a cyclist just west of Cement, OK last night:

The crash occurred at about 7:15 p.m. on U.S. 277, just west of Cement.

Troopers said Josh Steven Henderson, 17, of Chickasha, was riding his bike west on the two-lane road when the vehicle, also traveling west, hit him and caused him to veer to the right. The vehicle fled the scene, troopers said.

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News 9 is reporting that police are seeking the driver of a car who struck a cyclist on Monday morning near 31st and Military. The driver initially stopped and asked the cyclist, Bill Hartman, if he was hurt, but then when Mr. Hartman said, “Yes, I am hurt”, the driver said he was sorry but then fled the scene. The driver was middle-aged, wore glasses and had light brown hair. The vehicle is described as a small, gold colored beat-up car.  Mr. Hartman thinks it is likely that the driver lives near the accident site (NW 31st and Military).  Employees of The Red Cup coffee house helped Mr. Hartman until medical help could arrive.   Mr. Hartman was left with a badly broken leg.  If you have any information, please contact the Oklahoma City Police at 405-231-2121.

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Bike sharing programs are the rage around the world and across the nation (the photo above is of the DC bike share program, Capital Bikeshare).  Oklahoma City first announced the program back in August and additional details were announced yesterday at the Oklahoma City Council meeting.  According to NewsOK, the program has been given an official name of “Spokies” and will consist of 95 bicycles (up from 90) placed at six stations in the downtown Oklahoma City area.  The money for the bikes and stations is coming from a federal grant.

It was one of those pleasant cold and foggy days that tell you that winter is here. There were times when the lake almost became invisible, but I got this shot when the far shore was only a faint line.