Bicycles

[DolfanBob]

I watched this on Fox 23 last night and Conan. You were the first to come to mind. What are you're thoughts?

http://www.fox23.com/news/local/story/Group-wants-more-options-for-Tulsa-cyclists-and/fYqvCL1UkUW79WIXU13ouQ.cspx

[sauerkraut]

I'm not a cyclist, I just cannot get into enjoying that sport. I have a 10 speed bike that I never ride, However I am a hard core runner and would like to see more jogging trails with no street crossings in Tulsa, cars and joggers/bikes don't mix. I'm no fan of bike lanes in the road either it's not safe. Omaha, NE has a huge network of jogging trails, kinda like a interstate highways system of trails for runners & cyclists. We need more trails. I would not mind paying more or higher taxes if the money would only go to build jogging trails... click around the link  www.omahatrails.com

[Ed W]

The BPAC is the latest incarnation of INCOG's bicycling subcommittee, but since it's also connected to Tulsa's transportation board, it may stick this time.

The committee is composed of city and state planning staff, law enforcement, local government personnel, and some cyclists.  Like many similar groups in other cities, it equates safety with bike lanes, an assertion that is largely unproven.  But that's only a small part of it.  The committee also embraces LABs 5 Es: Enforcement, Education, Encouragement, Engineering, and Evaluation.  

There's some infrastructure that serves to increase cycling, and that's largely secure bike parking.  Some cities include mandated bike parking in their building codes just as they do for automobiles.  It's hard to get people to commute by bike if there's no safe place to lock it.  The same is true of schools and grocery stores.  

I have hopes for their education program as it has the potential to reach cyclists and potential cyclists with information and skills that can make riding on the street less stressful and very safe.

I attended a planning meeting where a local citizen said - much like Sauerkraut - that he'd ride his bike for transportation when the city built a network of bike trails that had no at-grade crossings with streets.  It's unrealistic, of course, because the expense would be outrageous.  Needless to say, I've never seen that guy on a bike. 

[Conan71]

I watched this on Fox 23 last night and Conan. You were the first to come to mind. What are you're thoughts?

http://www.fox23.com/news/local/story/Group-wants-more-options-for-Tulsa-cyclists-and/fYqvCL1UkUW79WIXU13ouQ.cspx

Garrett is a buddy of mine.  We did the Leadville trail 100 mountain bike race together in 2011, he's one heck of a rider (much faster than I am) and he does commute a lot wherever he goes. 

I'm all for making bike commuting more attractive to people around town.  My wife and I made a conscientious effort after she moved here in the spring, at trying to walk or bike whenever practical to run errands or even for fun recreational activities.  We used our old Western Auto "tank" bikes I found and refurbished last year to go to the Farmer's Market on Cherry St. and events downtown, as well as going grocery shopping and junk store/garage sale hopping.  I've got a really good network of side streets and less traveled routes mapped out in my head, so I don't think what we have now is all that bad.

As far as bike lanes along 71st Street or any stretch of busy south Tulsa roads, I'd never use them and here's why: Tulsa driver's are some of the most narcissistic and selfish drivers I've ever seen.  They are too distracted with their phones, cigarettes, tuning their chainsaw, or other multi-tasking activity while they are driving and they have to be first in line at everything.  They would likely swerve into the bike lanes and there's so many cross street entrances that it would be easy to get clobbered by someone turning into or out of a neighborhood.

I do realize I'm pretty fortunate to live in a part of town it's easy to go anywhere else on a bike where I don't have to worry as much about getting run over 36th St. is a great conduit, and I've figured another route via 26th street all the way to the river.  We've figured out a route to downtown using Pittsburgh, Delaware, & 6th Street which is very safe.  The trail system is convenient enough that it's possible to get to a number of places safely, though it may take you several miles out of your way rather than drawing a straight line and riding a more direct route.

Do I think it's worth the expense of re-configuring roads?  If it helps increase the overall health of Tulsans I do, within reason.  If it involves $100 million or so to do it, I think there are probably much higher priorities for infrastructure.

[Red Arrow]

I would not mind paying more or higher taxes if the money would only go to build jogging trails...

Individuals generally don't get to pick.

[RecycleMichael]

I always thought that cycling lowers sperm count or something bad for men. Since it is obvious that I am superior breeding stock, I find it necessary to not take the risk (in the chance that I am needed to re-populate the Earth).

[Ed W]

I've got a really good network of side streets and less traveled routes mapped out in my head, so I don't think what we have now is all that bad....

I do realize I'm pretty fortunate to live in a part of town it's easy to go anywhere else on a bike where I don't have to worry as much about getting run over 36th St. is a great conduit, and I've figured another route via 26th street all the way to the river.  We've figured out a route to downtown using Pittsburgh, Delaware, & 6th Street which is very safe.  The trail system is convenient enough that it's possible to get to a number of places safely, though it may take you several miles out of your way rather than drawing a straight line and riding a more direct route.

INCOG has a map of on-street bike routes that provide connectivity between neighborhoods and most popular destinations.  Most of the population lives within half a mile of one of these routes.

http://www.incog.org/Transportation/destination2030/documents/Trails/ConceptualOn-StreetBikePlanmap.pdf

The hardest part of bike commuting is making the decision to try it in the first place.  After that, it's just problem-solving.

[sauerkraut]

Bike Lanes are dangerous, cars & bikes don't mix. Many cyclists get hit by drivers in bike lanes, or cyclists get beer cans  thrown at them. Riding a bike to work fine but useually when you get at work you'll need to take a shower  and change your clothes, besides most companies don't offer showers for employees. I'm a running nut and I won't run on any roads not even side streets, running on any road your at risk form getting hit with a car, or having a dog chase you- or getting beer cans chucked your way from passing cars. I only run on jogging trails where it's safe and I can enjoy my run without having to think about cars or the next cross street. I strongly support more trails being built.

[Hoss]

Bike Lanes are dangerous, cars & bikes don't mix. Many cyclists get hit by drivers in bike lanes, or cyclists get beer cans  thrown at them. Riding a bike to work fine but useually when you get at work you'll need to take a shower  and change your clothes, besides most companies don't offer showers for employees. I'm a running nut and I won't run on any roads not even side streets, running on any road your at risk form getting hit with a car, or having a dog chase you- or getting beer cans chucked your way from passing cars. I only run on jogging trails where it's safe and I can enjoy my run without having to think about cars or the next cross street. I strongly support more trails being built.

Wow...I guess getting on here and repeating the same things you said last year makes you appear relevant?

It doesn't.

[sauerkraut]

Wow...I guess getting on here and repeating the same things you said last year makes you appear relevant?

It doesn't.

It beats the nonsense your sprewing- what's your ideas about bike lanes?

[Hoss]

It beats the nonsense your sprewing- what's your ideas about bike lanes?

I don't have any.  My point was you said the same thing last year.

[sauerkraut]

The city of Indianapolis is working on a extensive system of jogging & bike trails- the trails they have built so far are becoming very popular and crowded. Click around the links..    http://www.indygreenways.org/