http://www.ktul.com/Global/story.asp?S=28935312More Bike Lanes For The Tulsa Area
Posted: Apr 29, 2015 5:55 PM CDT Updated: Apr 29, 2015 5:55 PM CDT
Posted by: Charles Ely
INCOG Go Plan
Over the next 3 to 5 years the appearance of many area streets will change.
$4.2 million will be spent on the region's Go Plan.
It's being put together by the Indian Nation Council of Governments, for 11 different metro cities.
The goal is to create a largely on-street bike route system.
It will allow riders to reach our trails and downtown areas as quickly and safely as possible.
The process will create bike lanes on under used streets.
4th Street in Midtown Tulsa and Delaware Avenue in the T.U. Campus have already been changed.
Their traffic lanes have been narrowed to make space for bike lanes along the curbs.
The idea is to start the changes, with training wheels, on streets that don't have much traffic.
It's hoped that will get drivers accustomed to the process.
James Wagner is the head Transportation Planner for INCOG.
He says over time busier areas could be included.
"I think there could be projects that are more ambitious and could slow traffic a bit, without bringing it to a standstill."
We spoke with several people who live along the 4th Street bike corridor.
There were some gripes about parking changes,
but a couple of people liked the lower speed limit, that came with the bike lanes.
They say it's cut down on speeding drivers in the area.
One woman said she'd like to see more bike riders using the lanes, but planners say they're coming.
That's because bike commuting is up nationwide.
So they want on-street system to match our trails.
INCOG Executive Director Rich Bierre, says we've got a great start.
"We've got a world class trail system and its something we need to be proud of and something we need to not take for granted."
The INCOG staff expects their final Go Plan to be ready in July.
That will be followed by public hearings.
