Cycling culture

Cycling is morphing at warp speed.

Ultra-light materials, 3D printing of cycling parts and sensor technologies are revolutionizing two-wheeling in the U.S. The healthcare industry is taking note of the substantial benefit even causal cycling can have for reducing obesity, especially among children. These vectors point to our city’s need to build something akin to a "cycling culture."

T-Town's annual cycling extravaganza, Saint Francis Tulsa Tough, continues to push us farther down this path. More than 2,000 cyclists participated in each of the past two years, and an estimated 60,000 people spectated last year. Chamber estimates put the immediate economic impacts of the hyperkinetic contest at $2 million.

MORE ON TULSA CYCLING: The Voice bikes to work.

The GO Plan
Topped only by Portland and a handful of other communities, Green Country has one of the best planned, most well-funded and most fully executed bike/multi-use trail systems in the U.S. We’ve got more than 120 miles of bike trails and fully or partially funded plans for more than 200 miles of multi-use paths. 

About three years ago, regional planning agency INCOG (the Indian Nations Council of Governments) organized a publicly funded $4.2 million series of citizen meetings, consulting engagements and studies to increase cycling and active walking in the Tulsa area. With the help of dedicated citizen volunteers, the agency has crafted an imaginative pedestrian and cycling agenda called the GO Plan. 

To increase the role of cycling in our transportation and fitness portfolio, companies, public agencies and non-profits need to provide showers and bike lockers at and near workplaces. We need better bike/transit connections, safe access to bike parking and more bikeways and street/trail linkages. With the GO Plan complete, we’re closer to getting funding for cycling/pedestrian friendly initiatives—especially if these items are included in this year’s anticipated Vision 2025 voter referenda.  

Tech on two wheels 
Rapidly evolving technology is shaping cycling in the U.S. Tulsa-based company ICEdot is developing innovative bike safety sensor and crash notification technology. Mounted on a helmet, the sensor communicates with a smart phone app about drastic changes in a rider’s orientation and acceleration—the kinds of disruptions a biker experiences in the course of an accident. If ICEdot’s crash sensor detects such an event, it triggers a phone alarm. If the cyclist doesn’t disable the alarm, the device automatically notifies emergency contacts. Best of all, the gadget costs less than $130. 

ICEdot is only part of a rapidly expanding ecology of body sensors that can track human activity levels and metabolic functions. Researchers have been feverishly interested in outfitting bikers with technology to monitor blood pressure, heart rate, blood chemistry and simple brain metrics. Some analysts believe an interactive healthcare strategy will evolve from this research within the next 4-5 years. 

Want more stories from Ray? Read about his run-in with local rail cops and climate experts' change of heart about nuclear power.