Walk audit gathers data on 61st and Peoria to improve safety
TULSA, Okla. (KTUL) — One goal of the Tulsa Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee is to try to find ways to reduce crashes, deaths, and injuries on our streets by conducting walk audits at some of the most dangerous intersections in the city.
Our journey begins at 41st and Peoria, where one of the folks in the group is Tulsa County Commissioner Karen Keith. Why is she here?
"Well, I think we all need to understand how the system works, and then are these things where the pedestrians are walking and getting access to, do they really work? Where are the gaps? And what are people actually experiencing," she said.
"Fix the North Side!" said commuter Mike Vinson. He was willing to tell us what he's been experiencing.
Every morning, he rides his bike an hour and a half to his forklift job in Catoosa.
So, you ride a bike from where to Catoosa?
"71st and Lewis," he said.
A ride that got even a little longer today when the bus showed up with a full bike rack, and Mike decided to ride ahead until a space cleared up.
"Does the crossing feel safe if you’re going at the speed of one of our parents using a walker?" asked resident Blaine Ponto.
Meanwhile, our walking group made it to 61st and Peoria and crossed the street to get to the grocery store, where Blaine commented on the abrupt end of the sidewalk.
"What I can only describe is a hiking trail paved with broken glass," said Ponto.
"I would like to see the sidewalks walkable," said commuter Pam Vest. She has faced her own set of challenges with Tulsa's sidewalks.
"I get stuck sometimes, I’ll go a long ways with no driveways, no ramps down, get to the end, and I can’t get off," she said.
A small tour of 61st and Peoria made a big impression.
"We’d like to get more sidewalks, we’d like a lot more walkability, better striping, more lighting, just a safer neighborhood," said Tulsa City Councilor Jayme Fowler.
Getting around T-town without a car can be difficult and takes patience and determination just to commute.
