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Why do we have to relive this tragedy?
Written by Pete Kramer   
Wednesday, July 21, 2010

The Oklahoma Bicycling Coalition Board of Directors and membership once again share sadness and grief with families who have lost loved ones in the act of enjoying a sport we all share simply because someone was careless. The deaths of two bicyclists in eastern Oklahoma County this past weekend reminds us of the horrors of Sand Springs, Enid, and Shawnee.

At times like this bicyclists across the state pause and reflect upon their vulnerability. They wonder if they might be next. They fear the anonymous motorist. They seek reason. They look for fault. They try to make sense of it all. Some become angry. Some quit bicycling altogether, succumbing to their own fears.

There are many ways to fight for bicyclists rights. Memorial rides and ghost bikes address the immediate need to grieve. In the long term, however, we need dialog and education. The OBC has set as it's goal the long view. We fully support and join the remembrance of our fallen fellow bicyclists. We also want to help channel this moment into action that will result in a safer bicycling environment for all of us. 

To achieve this goal we commit to engage the law enforcement community and demand equitable enforcement of all traffic laws.

We demand that the District Attorneys of Oklahoma fully prosecute violators of state and local laws designed to protect the rights and lives of bicyclists.
 
We commit to engage the legislature and state government to review existing laws, and enact new laws to protect the lives of all road users, and ban activities and devices which distract drivers from applying their full attention to the job of driving safely.
 
We ask all bicyclists to grieve and remember.

We ask all bicyclists to stay on your bikes and claim your place on all public roads.

We will continue to promote and lead safe bicycling education in partnership with bicyclists, clubs, schools, and other groups.
 
And we ask for your support. Look for the Donate button on this web page. Any contribution you make will go to achieving the goal we have set for ourselves: Promoting bicycle access, safety, and education throughout Oklahoma.

Signed,

The Board of Directors, Oklahoma Bicycling Coalition

 
Donate to the Oklahoma Bicycling Education Fund
Written by Pete Kramer   
Sunday, November 29, 2009

The Oklahoma Bicycling Education Fund was created by the Oklahoma Bicycling Coalition as a means to achieve its goals. The OBEF is a way for members to directly support the OBC Mission: Promoting bicycle access, safety, and education throughout Oklahoma.

Read more...
 
Motorist/Driver's Ed Video
Written by Jim Beach   
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
The League of Illinois Bicyclists produced this video with funding from the Illinois Department of Transportation. Robbie Ventura, a former teammate of Lance Armstrong, narrates the video. This video was distributed to 900 schools and 900 police departments in Illinois.
The Rules of the Road discussed in this video are based on Uniform Vehicle Code. Specifically where the narrator says "bicyclists must ride as far to the right as practical" Oklahoma law says "as far to the right as is safe." The suggestion to pass bicyclists with at least 3 feet of space is a legal requirement in Oklahoma. Please check the specific laws in your City and State.