MA+ Architecture has teamed with Alta Planning + Design to develop Master Plan recommendations for a network of enhanced paths and bike lanes throughout the University of Oklahoma campus, along with improved bike parking and other facilities.  The primary challenges of  getting a greater number of the 30,000 students and staff to use bicycles on campus include the lack of on-the-ground bike facilities, the inability to store bicycles inside the residence halls and the lack of awareness of safety issues such as helmet use on campus.
 
The plan will recommend a network of north-south and east-west routes through campus. We are looking at creating separate paths of cyclists and pedestrians and striped bike lanes on certain roads. Everything can’t be built at once, so a list will be made of priority segments to build first. The University is already working on a new path linking the Research Campus with the core going through Reeves Park and the Intramural Fields, with a new signal at Stinson & Jenkins. There are also plans to find places to provide more secure bike parking.
 
The main goal of the plan is to make bicycling at the University safer.  Bicycling is a healthy and environmentally friendly activity, and is one of the fastest ways to get around campus.  As the campus grows, it is expected that more people will want to ride, so we want to make sure they can do so safely.  The plan is to create a system where everyone can feel comfortable riding a bike, or if you prefer to walk you don’t feel threatened by other riders.