Someone asked me about this the other day and I realized that in my earlier absence from the blog I had forgotten to post about it. The previously mentioned ordinance changes being considered by the Oklahoma City Council were passed on May 24th during the normal meeting. The highlights of the proposed changes are as follows:
- 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.
- 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.”
- Limits the conditions upon which more than two people can ride upon a bicycle.
- Broadens the places where cyclists can park their bicycles on sidewalks.
- Limit the use of “tall handlebars” (handlebars taller than 12 inches) except upon recumbent bicycles.
You can read the specifics on all the changes here.