The Norman Bicycle Advisory Council hopes to combine federal funds for more bike lane striping with a local bike lane expansion project, which would include connecting south campus to the National Weather Center.
OU has a project in the works to make campus more bike-friendly, too.
The Norman campus is preparing an eight-month project, according to Jonathan Vann, UOSA Student Congress vice-chairman and Bicycle Ad Hoc Committee member. He said the project would create a bicycling route from the research campus to Jenkins Avenue and State Highway 9.
The Council voted unanimously to adopt both the revisions to the Norman Bike Route and the new ordinance for bicycle safety Tuesday night at the Norman City Council meeting. Also included in the bill was the recognition of the three-foot law.
“When a motor vehicle overtakes a cyclist going the same direction, it must use due care and pass them with three feet of clearance between them,” James Briggs, Norman Parks and Recreation and the council, said. “It doesn’t prevent the creation of more bike lanes, you can have both, because you’re not going to have a bike lane through every neighborhood street.”
Currently in the preliminary stages, the council says it is organizing sponsors and a possible Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Grant for the development of a new Urban Trail System in Norman.
The council plans to meet with the International Mountain Biking Service in October to discuss the specifics of such a project and to look at possible sites for the project.
“Ideally, I think at least 40 acres would be necessary for the project. So now it’s just a matter of looking at locations that have enough terrain to provide a worthwhile ride,” said Tobin Vigil, council member and owner of Buchanan Bicycles.
Also in the works is re-application for Bicycle Friendly Community award designation, a distinction from the League of American Bicyclists that is useful for procuring grants and representing the conscious efforts of the city to promote cycling.
Norman’s most recent application was rejected, but returned with an honorable mention distinction.
The league provided a document with suggestions for improvement before re-application. It includes more arterial streets with shoulders or lanes available for cyclists, increased efforts in bicyclist and motorist education on road-sharing safety and more local events such as bike to work days and corporate commuter challenges.
Tulsa is currently the only city in Oklahoma that holds this distinction.
The Norman Bicycle Advisory Council plans to begin construction within the calendar year and have the whole project completed a year from now.
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wiggin 1 year, 7 months ago
THIS IS AWESOME YES YES YES BIKES RULE
BICYCLE CRAZY
:)
Prometheus 1 year, 7 months ago
salvation is near!
Elliotchale 1 year, 7 months ago
Yes! I %100 support this.