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Cycling 101: Where are the bike paths inTulsa?
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Tulsa has a network of multi-use paths and an on-street route system that provides good connectivity throughout the city. Of course, it doesn't extend to every doorway, so some street cycling is still necessary for most destinations. The paths are very popular with local bicyclists. The on-street route network follows quiet neighborhood streets.
The Indian Nations Council of Governments (INCOG) is the regional transportation planning agency, and as such, they have a wealth of maps detailing local paths and the on-street system. To access their web-based interactive map, go to: http://www.incog.org/transportation/maps/terms.htm and click on "Trails and On-Street Bike Map for the Tulsa Area."
INCOG also has the local trail network available in portable document format. Go to:
http://www.incog.org/transportation/trails/trailsmap.pdf
Tulsa's River Parks Authority has a map of their popular multi-use paths at:
http://www.riverparks.org/Maps/rpmaps.htm
If you like group rides, take a look at this Tulsa Bicycle Club page detailing the meeting places for many of their events:
http://www.tulsabicycleclub.com/rides_locator.php
Don't have a bike? With a credit card, you can check out a free one from the Tulsa Townies program run by St. Francis Hospital. This first-in-the-nation bicycle sharing program has been operating since 2007. Bike kiosks are in four locations. www.tulsa-townies.com/
Finally, if you're the kind of person who wants to explore Oklahoma from the seat of a bicycle, here's a resource for older county maps in tif format. See the instructions on the page for programs that will open and edit these files. http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~okpontot/okmaps.htm
A word about trail etiquette and safety
Multi-use paths may be free of cars, but they're not free of hazards. You may find sand or gravel on the trail, so be wary of corners. It's not unusual to find broken glass as well. Note the construction debris in this older photo of the Osage Prairie Trail looking south toward downtown.
Please yield to pedestrians, and be aware than they may not hear your approach. If your bike is not equipped with a bell, call out, "Passing on your left!" In general, pedestrians should stay to the right, but this is not always the case especially when children are around. Some dogs will be on very long leashes that can extend 20 feet or more. Be careful they don't 'clothesline' you as you pass.
The River Park trail has a gravel running track on one side. The winding nature of this trail combined with the topography can make it difficult to determine whether a runner is on the right or the left. Please reduce speed and exercise caution around runners, walkers, and in-line skaters.
Finally, stay alert at the entrance to the Creek Nation Casino near 81st and Riverside Drive. At present, the trail crosses the entrance to the casino parking lot. Motorists intent on turning simply do not see cyclists on the trail. This problem will be mitigated when the trail is re-routed west of the casino near the river.
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