After a dry spell of several years, and a near miss last year, two Oklahoma legislators, Senator Andrew Rice, Oklahoma City, and Representative Lewis Moore, Arcadia, have introduced four bills that will benefit bicyclists and tourism in Oklahoma.

Three bills have been introduced this session by Senator Rice, who held forums in Tulsa and Oklahoma City late last year to gather information and hear bicyclists concerns. His bills are:



SB443 - Requires DPS to include bicycle safety questions on all drivers examinations. UPDATE: PASSES SENATE UNANIMOUSLY 3/9/11, now moves to House.



SB487 - Titled Oklahoma Bicycle Safety Awareness Act, it establishes a revolving account with the funds to be used by the DPS for bicycle safety awareness education of "the road traveling public."

 The funds would come from donations made at the time of drivers license or state ID renewal.

SB951 - Amends existing statutes to reinforce the requirement that drivers maintain a minimum 3 foot distance including mirrors when passing bicyclists. It establishes a new fine of $500 for passing less than 3 feet, when observed by a police officer. Additionally, the penalty for hitting and injuring a bicyclist is raised to $1000, and if a bicyclist is killed it is raised to $5000, plus other penalties. Finally, throwing any substance at a bicyclist is a felony with 10 years in prison & $10,000 fine.

A bill has also been introduced by Representative Moore:

HB2049 - Designates the portion of State Highway 66 between the Sapulpa city limits and the Edmond city limits as the "Historic Bike Trail". It directs the Department of Transportation to mark the highway with that name. If funding is available, ODOT is to build a shoulder for use by bicycle traffic on the Historic Bike Trail.

Historic Route 66 has been identified by the Adventure Cycling Association as their next project.

The Oklahoma Bicycling Coalition and Oklahoma Department of Tourism and Recreation applied but failed to receive a grant last year to conduct an economic development impact study along the Route 66 corridor. In the process of writing the grant, letters of support were received from most of the communities along Route 66. The letters and endorsements can still be used to demonstrate to the legislature the statewide support for this project.

Over 500 people also signed the OBC online petition for the Route 66 Bike Corridor. The petition is still open. If you haven't signed, visit the OBC the Route 66 Petition. If you've signed, pass the link along to others.

These bills are a great effort for bicycling in Oklahoma and can use our support. They could wither and die quickly. If you feel you can support these bills, please contact your state senator and house representative to encourage passage of the bills. Click to find your Representative and Senator.

You can track the progress of the bills and download the text at the Oklahoma Legislature Website.