Edmond participates in Bike to Work Week

Each year, the League of American Bicyclists designates May as National Bike Month. The Association of Central Oklahoma Governments (ACOG) takes charge of sponsoring and assisting with Bike Month initiatives in Central Oklahoma, including BikeFest, the Areawide Bicycle Scavenger Hunt, and community Bike to Work Week events.  

2022 celebrations

Hundreds of bicyclists from all over the region commuted by bike during Bike to Work Week 2022, which took place May 16–22. Eight area communities participated in Bike to Work activities, including Edmond.

The events help highlight growing bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, like the new Ayers St. bike lanes, making roads in central Oklahoma safer. Many cities like Edmond are going even further to prioritize paths away from vehicle traffic that connect neighborhoods to areas of employment, recreation, and shopping as a means of keeping bicyclists and pedestrians safe. 

Spreading awareness

Organizations like ACOG and campaigns like Watch for Me OK seek to make cultural shifts in how Oklahomans view traffic safety and road use.

This year’s Bike to Work Week came as rates of traffic collisions across the entire United States have taken a sharp upturn. According to a National Highway Safety Administration study, 2021 saw a 10% uptick in roadway fatalities, including over 8,300 pedestrians and bicyclists. 

Similar trends have emerged locally. Watch For Me OK is working to share educational tips, advice, and safety reminders to help Oklahoma drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists safely share the road. 

Preventing accidents

One of the most effective means of preventing collisions is awareness, watching your surroundings, and avoiding distractions like texting. Bicycle-involved crashes often occur in places where vehicles cross bike routes, so drivers should watch for bicyclists and practice caution around marked bike infrastructure.

Most pedestrians hit by vehicles are struck outside of designated crosswalks, so seeking out safe places to cross can make a big difference. In central Oklahoma, collisions peak between 3-6 p.m. on weekdays as traffic increases during rush hour. 

To learn more about the Watch for Me OK campaign or find educational materials, traffic laws, and safety information, visit www.watchformeok.org. You can also visit www.acogok.org/bikecentral to learn more about future Bike Month activities in Central Oklahoma.