OKC Showcases First Bike Lane On Bike To Work Day

Oklahoma City’s first protected bike lane is now open near Northwest 4th Street and North Villa Avenue, just in time for national Bike to Work Day on Friday.

The protected bike lane is painted a bright green color, showing drivers that part of the road is saved for bikers. It also features new white plastic barriers that create a safe boundary between cars and bikes.

“We have some bike lanes that have the green striping, but having that extra layer of just something physical between you and the cars was really exciting,” said OKC City Councilwoman JoBeth Hamon.

When installation and striping is complete, OKC city leaders say the bike lane will stretch from May Avenue to Lee Avenue.

The city planning director says OKC has about 50-miles in funded on-street bike projects already in the works.

“And we have MAPS 4 that will dedicate $20 million to on-street bike lanes,” said Max Harris, OKC Associate Planner.

Resurfacing work is currently underway on South Walker Avenue between Reno Avenue and Southwest Grand Boulevard will include another protected bike lane, connecting downtown to south OKC.

“I think this was a great message for people who have been advocating for so long for infrastructure like this,” said Councilwoman Hamon. “These things can co-exist on our streets together and hopefully make those coming projects that we have plans for easier to implement.”