Late Post: Oklahoma City Approves Bicycle Ordinance Changes

 Posted on August 21, 2011

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. [Read More]
bicycle-routes  city-council  laws  legislation  oklahoma-city 

Oklahoma City Council Conducts Public Hearing on Bicycle Ordinance Changes

 Posted on May 17, 2011

Sorry folks, but I’m back to playing catch up. Firstly, the Oklahoma City Council is holding the public hearing phase on the major changes to the city’s bicycle ordinances. The meeting is occurring today starting at 8:30 AM in the City Council Chamber on the 3rd floor of 200 N. Walker. As you can see from the full agenda, there is a lot of ground being covered so I can’t really say when the ordiances will changes will be considered. [Read More]
bicycle-routes  city-council  laws  legislation  oklahoma-city 

Edmond City Council Passes 3-Foot Rule

 Posted on March 31, 2011

Following the cue of Oklahoma City and Norman, the Edmond City Council has passed an ordinance change that requires vehicles to pass cyclists with at least 3-feet of distance. Violation of the ordnance comes with a fine of not more than $500. The Ordinance also makes several other changes to cycling rules in Edmond: It officially defines a bicycle as a vehicle when traveling on the road ways. Clarifies the definitions of bike lane and shared-use paths. [Read More]
3-foot  city-council  edmond  laws  legislation  safety 

OKC Traffic Commission Considers Broad Changes to City Cycling Ordinances

 Posted on March 21, 2011

Today, at 1:30 PM, the Oklahoma City Traffic and Transportation Commission will consider a recommendation to make several large changes to the city’s cycling ordinances. In brief, the changes consist of the following: 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. [Read More]
bicycle-routes  city-council  laws  legislation  oklahoma-city 

SB 1329 and Bicyclists -- Updated

 Posted on November 1, 2010

There are reports in the news that SB 1329, which went into effect today, allows bicyclists to cross intersections on a red light when the street is clear: Senate Bill 1329 allows motorcycle and bicycle riders to go through red lights at traffic lights that are engineered to detect motor vehicles. In Tulsa, two types of automobile-detection lights are used - an underground loop tripped by the weight of a vehicle and a camera-based laser that turns lights green when the beam is broken by a vehicle, Murray said. [Read More]
laws  red-lights  sb-1329  sb1329  stoplights 

Nichols Hills Require Bicycle Licenses

 Posted on September 14, 2009

Walter J. posted this interesting little legal tidbit about the bicycle licensing requirements of Nichols Hills to the OBS mailing list: Sec. 22-221. Impoundment. Any bicycle found upon any of the streets, sidewalks, alleys, parks, or public ways, or upon private property not under the control of the owner of the bicycle, and not licensed as herein required, or which does not otherwise comply with the provisions hereof or state law, shall be impounded until compliance is made. [Read More]
laws  licenses  nichols-hills 

Possible Changes for Bicyclists and Stoplights

 Posted on September 7, 2009

Generally, I’m not a big fan of changing laws specifically for bicyclists. I think the best way to improve the relations with bicyclists and motorists is for us to be viewed as normal vehicles on the road and not as special charity cases. However, given the number of poorly set sensor lights out there, I’m inclined to agree with this one . . . Representative Chuck Hoskins has authored House Bill 1795, which would make it legal for motorcycle drivers [and bicyclists] to continue through an intersection even if the light is red. [Read More]
laws  stoplights 

Reminder of State Bicycling Laws

 Posted on September 7, 2009

Not that they make much difference, given the woman who ran me off the road a week ago shouting something about me being on “her” roads, but I’m glad to see these articles reminding people about traffic laws in Oklahoma . . . With a few exceptions, Oklahoma law gives bicycles as much right to use public roads as cars, on the condition that bikes shouldn’t “impede the normal and reasonable flow of traffic. [Read More]
laws