Evaluating three cycle routes from downtown
Channel: Active Towns
Date: 04/04/2022

Interstate 40 and the Oklahoma River are two significant obstacles in the way on this roughly 2.5-mile bike ride. In this profile, I evaluate three potential routes, and bridges over these barriers, as I ride from downtown OKC to the Wheeler District, a new urbanism development on the southern shores of the Oklahoma River. What you will see: painted bike lanes, shared lanes, protected bike lanes, separated bike paths, separated multi-use paths, and an amazing bicycle and pedestrian bridge.

This is my third OKC #CNU30 activity asset profile video in my series from the recent Congress for the New Urbanism gathering in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, March 21-26, 2022.

I believe the lessons learned from this observational ride and analysis will be helpful to any city looking to create safer, more inviting cycle path networks appropriate for all ages and abilities. Note that no network is perfect, there's always room for improvement, and thus the suggestions and constructive criticisms I put form are in the spirit of continuous improvement to reach our ultimate goal: a high comfort environment for everyone. 

I was joined in my quest to find the most comfortable route by Sara Studdard with City Thread out of Denver, CO, and Shawn Wright a local OKC Bicycle & Pedestrian advocate. 

I hope you enjoy the ride!

Helpful Links (note that some may include affiliate links to help me support the channel):
- Wheeler District: https://www.wheelerdistrict.com/
- Scissortail Park: https://scissortailpark.org/
- Dover Kohl: https://www.doverkohl.com/
- CNU: https://www.cnu.org/

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Credits: Video and audio production by John Simmerman

Music via Epidemic Sound: https://bit.ly/3rFLErD

Resources used during the production of this video:
- My recording platform is Ecamm Live: https://bit.ly/3rwsUup
- Editing software Adobe Creative Cloud Suite: https://bit.ly/35DBDDU

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Background: 
Hi Everyone! My name is John Simmerman, and I’m a health promotion and public health professional with over 30 years of experience. Over the years, my area of concentration has evolved into a specialization in how the built environment influences human behavior related to active living and especially active mobility.

Since 2010,  I've been exploring, documenting, and profiling established, emerging, and aspiring Active Towns wherever they might be while striving to produce high-quality multimedia content to help inspire the creation of more safe and inviting, environments that promote a "Culture of Activity" for "All Ages & Abilities."

The Active Towns Channel features my original video content and reflections, including a selection of podcast episodes and short films profiling the positive and inspiring efforts happening around the world as I am able to experience and document them. 

Thanks once again for tuning in! I hope you find this content helpful and insightful.

Creative Commons License: Attributions, Non-Commercial, No Derivatives, 2022