A traffic study evaluating the impact of proposed developments in Downtown Oklahoma City recommends removing a newly opened dedicated bike lane and parking spots to make room for another traffic lane.
"A consultant hired to look at traffic implications from the construction of multiple garages at Walker and Hudson Avenues suggests removing dedicated bike lanes and parking spaces along Walker Avenue between Sheridan and Robert S. Kerr Avenues to expand the street to four lanes," reports Steve Lackmeyer. The garages will be built in connection with the construction of two development projects—one a 27-story tower and the other a set of four towers, 25- and 26-stories tall.
"The report by Traffic Engineering Consultants Inc. also recommends the city could create 'bike sharrow' lanes, which are found elsewhere around Oklahoma City and involve arrows on pavement reminding drivers to share the lanes with bicyclists," adds Lackmeyer.
Lackmeyer quotes Eric Wenger, director of the city’s public works, and City Planning Director Aubrey Hammontree in the article talking about study. Wegner says that the removal of the bike lanes is likely. Hammontree talks about the need for planners to balance the needs of drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians. "We have to look at the whole network," says Hammontree. "Planning is no longer about just cars."
FULL STORY: Oklahoma City's traffic study recommends eliminating downtown's bike lane

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.

Mexico City Anti-Gentrification Plan Aims to Half Housing Deficit
The plan comes in response to protests that targeted ‘digital nomads’ who locals blame for driving up housing costs.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
City of Fort Worth
planning NEXT
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie