Tulsa ranked in America's Top 50 Bike Cities

[dioscorides]

OK, Tulsa was ranked #50, but at least we made the list (with a shout-out to SoundPony).
http://www.bicycling.com/ride-maps/featured-rides/50-tulsa-ok

[Conan71]

OK, Tulsa was ranked #50, but at least we made the list (with a shout-out to SoundPony).
http://www.bicycling.com/ride-maps/featured-rides/50-tulsa-ok

Cool, I'm in that pic!  I'm the guy in a helmet.

[Townsend]

Cool, I'm in that pic!  I'm the guy in a helmet.

Sweet!  I'm the one with my hand up peeing on the building.

[guido911]

Sweet!  I'm the one with my hand up peeing on the building.

I saw you, squatting over on the right.

[Ed W]

I'm not a fan of the League of American Bicyclists, nor am I a member or instructor any more.  LAB places a premium on bicycle infrastructure, basically the miles of bike lanes, cycle tracks, and multi-use paths in a city, rather than any sort of bike education for all road users.  LAB exists as an astroturf organization to promote the interests of bicycle manufacturers.  They've never done a before and after study to show if the facilities they so highly tout have any real effects on promoting bicycling.  And the studies that have been done - most notably by Transportation Alternatives in NYC - have serious methodology shortcomings. 

I'm not optimistic about the city bicycling subcommittee.  It's been obvious that the city makes a token effort to accommodate cyclists, but that effort doesn't receive much support.  Did you know that there are already bike lanes along some streets in Tulsa?  If you look carefully under the accumulated debris, you can still find the markings.

A few weeks ago, there was a story in the news about the subcommittee taking a ride through Cherry Street and the surrounding area.  One committee member said that part of their objective is to "build more sidewalks."  Now, if someone totally ignorant of safe driving practices and the very real needs of motorists were in charge of building highways, there would be a public outcry.  Yet when a committee member is similarly ignorant of the needs of real cyclists (rather than imaginary ones) that person has a role in the decision making process.  It boggles the mind.

When you look at where the money goes, you gain a better perspective on the rationale.  Road construction costs roughly a million dollars per lane mile, if I recall right, and that's before you get to something expensive like a bridge.  There are jobs and political patronage tied up in putting down concrete.  But educating motorists and cyclists isn't nearly as sexy.  A pol can't point to a successful road cyclist and say, "Look what I brought to you!"  Education costs much, much less and it's ignored by LAB and the political establishment.   

[guido911]

My only gripes about cyclists is the mentality that if "there's a road, there's a cycling trial". Yesterday, I'm driving up 75 N to downtown, where all that ugly and UNATTENDED/UNWORKED ON bridge construction is (don't get me started on how that pisses me off), and there were cyclists riding all around the off ramp exits. THEY got pissed at all the horns going off at them because they were weaving out of traffic. I also saw some cyclist using the center of 111th street between Yale and Sheridan as his personal bike trail. He got pissed at me and his little 5'4" frame pulled over (hahaha) waiving his middle finger at me for apparently driving too close behind him. This is a 45 mph lane filled with people trying to get home. I'm sure T, Red, and Conan know this area. I got out to see what his problem was, but he just rode off.

Sorry, I'm kinda of an athlete as I run and ride. However, I understand that certain roads are there for traffic and not to accommodate my fitness regimen.

[Ed W]

Sorry, I'm kinda of an athlete as I run and ride. However, I understand that certain roads are there for traffic and not to accommodate my fitness regimen.

It's a public road, Guido, for your use, my use, and everyone else regardless of their transportation mode.   

[Conan71]

It's a public road, Guido, for your use, my use, and everyone else regardless of their transportation mode.   

And you are required by law to give the cyclists 3 feet of clearance when you pass.  Treat cyclists like other slow moving traffic like tractors or Grandma, give them room and don't be in such a hurry.  So what if it costs you an extra minute in your travels.

Okay Guido consider your knuckles slapped.

[guido911]

And you are required by law to give the cyclists 3 feet of clearance when you pass.  Treat cyclists like other slow moving traffic like tractors or Grandma, give them room and don't be in such a hurry.  So what if it costs you an extra minute in your travels.

Okay Guido consider your knuckles slapped.

Do you and Ed want to have a debate on lawful use of the roadways by cyclists? I'll be happy to have it. For now, a cyclist doing 10-15 mph down the center of a lane in a 45 mph zone is in the way. Sorry. It's selfish and dangerous. And I bike!!

There are miles and miles trails along Riverside. If we need more, then let's raise the money and pay for it. IMO, two-lane, main arterials like 101st and 111th are to move vehicular traffic. Seriously, do we want bike-riders on 71st between Memorial and Mingo at 5:30 on a Friday?

[nathanm]

Do you and Ed want to have a debate on lawful use of the roadways by cyclists? I'll be happy to have it. For now, a cyclist doing 10-15 mph down the center of a lane in a 45 mph zone is in the way. Sorry. It's selfish and dangerous. And I bike!!

It's much safer than hugging the edge of the roadway and encouraging you to pass too closely.

There are miles and miles trails along Riverside. If we need more, then let's raise the money and pay for it. IMO, two-lane, main arterials like 101st and 111th are to move vehicular traffic. Seriously, do we want bike-riders on 71st between Memorial and Mingo at 5:30 on a Friday?

What if they are going to Texas Roadhouse or whatever the heck is out there?

[custosnox]

Do you and Ed want to have a debate on lawful use of the roadways by cyclists? I'll be happy to have it. For now, a cyclist doing 10-15 mph down the center of a lane in a 45 mph zone is in the way. Sorry. It's selfish and dangerous. And I bike!!

There are miles and miles trails along Riverside. If we need more, then let's raise the money and pay for it. IMO, two-lane, main arterials like 101st and 111th are to move vehicular traffic. Seriously, do we want bike-riders on 71st between Memorial and Mingo at 5:30 on a Friday?

To bike for exercise is not the only reason to bike.  Some people use em for a means of transportation. 

Of course, until I get some street tires on my bike, I'm not even going to attempt to hit primary roads.  I'll wait until I can actually ride at a decent speed.  I do ask, though, if I'm staying off of the roads, am I considered a pedestrian? 

[Red Arrow]

And you are required by law to give the cyclists 3 feet of clearance when you pass.  Treat cyclists like other slow moving traffic like tractors or Grandma, give them room and don't be in such a hurry.  So what if it costs you an extra minute in your travels.

I hope you are happy with me following about 2 to 3 seconds behind you like I do with automotive traffic.  Don't fall.  You will stop a lot faster than a 2000 to 5000 lb motorized vehicle and you won't get up in 3 seconds.

I don't mind following a cyclist for a bit.  Hugging the road edge is dangerous because of the usual paving conditions there. If the cyclist insists on not allowing an opportunity to pass for a mile or more he/she is just being a road hog and inviting a close pass.

[Red Arrow]

What if they are going to Texas Roadhouse or whatever the heck is out there?

People who bike don't eat at places like that.

[nathanm]

People who bike don't eat at places like that.

If that were true I would be svelte.

[Red Arrow]

If that were true I would be svelte.

You need to get a bike that is harder to pedal.   That way you would burn more calories than you eat at those places.