Oklahoma House passes bicycle trail bill March 14, 2011

The Oklahoma House voted 71-20 today to advance a measure that would create a 90-mile bicycle trail on Oklahoma Highway 66 from Sapulpa to Edmond.

The bill, introduced by Rep. Lewis Moore (R-Arcadia), contained a few notable amendments before it was voted on by the House:

• The name of the trail was changed from “Historic Bike Trail” to “Historic Route 66 Bike Trail.” The new name obviously is more descriptive.
• The cost and installation of signs on the trail ”shall be provided from private sources.” Moore said in a recent newspaper interview he’d hoped donations would cover those costs, so he may have a source lined up.
• Although costs of a new shoulder along the highway for a bicycle trail are “contingent on funds available,” a fiscal analysis reports that the Oklahoma Department of Transportation already includes Oklahoma Highway 66 for shoulder improvements in the agency’s eight-year plan. So the trail, if enacted into law, may become a reality sooner than later.

The bill, HB2049, will go on to the Oklahoma Senate. The measure enjoys a co-sponsor in Sen. Andrew Rice, D-Oklahoma City. Because Rice is a Democrat, it seems likely the bill will pass in the Senate because of its apparent bipartisan support.