Last Updated on May 18, 2018, 3:29 PM | Published: May 18, 2018
About 40 cyclists arrived downtown at the Myriad Gardens after riding to work Friday on national Bike-to-Work Day.
It was part of national Bike-to-Work Day that is intended to encourage people to use cycling as a means of commuting instead of using cars.
According to Joshua Vaught, general manager of Spokies bike share system, a division of Embark, some started as far away as Lake Hefner. Others started in the Plaza District.
“The longest ride was 18.3 miles,” said Vaught.
He gave some advice about commuting to work by bike.
“OkC is pretty easy to commute. We’re on a grid system,” he said. “You don’t want to be on the main traffic routes because the traffic is going 35 or 40 mph. Just go over one block.”
“It just takes some getting used to. A little courage,” he said.”Really not bad at all.”
Vaught described the BikeWalkOKC plan as “a good start.”
“We’re going to get some bike lanes out of it.”
“Most people that are not cyclists want a protected bike lane to feel comfortable,”
Vaught said. “That’s not in the plan to have protected bike lanes.”
Different commute
Mark McCoy said he traded in his commute from Edmond to downtown every day when they moved to the Plaza District.
Now, he rides his bike “about 2.2 miles” to 499 West Sheridan, Bank of Oklahoma’s new general office tower downtown.
“It’s great,” McCoy said. “I wouldn’t trade back at all.”
We asked him how he handles the rush hours now that he’s navigating them with his bike.
“What rush hour?” he said with a laugh.
Rewards
Friday, riders arrived on the north side of Myriad Gardens.
They were treated to free coffee and light breakfast by Junction Coffee, a rolling coffee shop that serves all over the city in their signature double-decker red and white bus.
“Fantastic day for it,” said owner Nick Bollinger.”The weather was beautiful. Nice breeze. Sun’s out.”
He joined Clarity Coffee and Elemental Coffee in honoring those who bike to work Friday.
Month of discounts
Spokies is giving discounts through the month of May to recognized Bike-to-Work Month.
Here are the promo codes:
- “May2018” -$3 off the Explorer’s Pass, for Bike to Work month (all of May)
- “bike2018” -$10 off Annual Pass, for Bike-to-Work Week, (5/14-18/2018)
- “BTW day 2018” free 2-day pass, (5/18/2018)
- “OOOklahoma” 1/2 price 2-day pass, for midtown walk about, 5-19-2018
- “Full Moon Ride” 1/2 price Explorer’s Pass, for all Full Moon Rides, the day of the ride (5/29/2018, 6/21/2018, 7/26/2018, 8/27/2018, 9/24/2018)
Other Discounts
Other businesses are giving premiums Friday, May 18.
DowntownOKC had this information on their website:
- 405 Yoga (1004 N Hudson) After each yoga class. they will raffle off a 405 Yoga Water Bottle, and be entered to win an unlimited month of yoga
- Clarity Coffee (431 W Main St.) Free espresso or americano to anyone who bikes over to the shop on that date
- Cultivar Mexican Kitchen (714 N Broadway Ave.) 10% off discount to all bikers
- Elemental Coffee (815 N Hudson) Ride up and you’ll get a free espresso and if you need some gear, buy socks and water bottle and get $5 off
- Iguana Mexican Grill ( 9 NW 9th St.) 50% off one entree when you bike to lunch
- Kamp’s 1910 Cafe (10 NE 10th St.) Free coffee or soft drink for all bikers
- Schlegel Bicycles (900 N Broadway Ave.) 15% off Service Labor, Fit Labor, Tires, and Tubes. Offer Valid through May 18th. Mention discount at “Bike to Work” discount at checkout
- Spokies (spokiesokc.com) Use promo code “Bike 2018” to get $10 off an Annual Spokies Pass
- Tapstone Energy (100 E Main St.) Free bottled water stop on May 18
- Tin Lizzie’s (905 N Broadway Ave.) 15% off all t-shirts and fitness related apparel on Bike to Work Day
Founder, publisher, and editor of Oklahoma City Free Press. Brett continues to contribute reports and photography to this site as he runs the business.
