Watch For Me OK
Mar 9, 2026
Spring makes many false starts in Central Oklahoma, but one perennial indicator of the changing seasons is the thousands of runners and bicyclists trotting and pedaling away in February and early March. As the spring marathon and bike racing season begins and individuals begin to train for the events, it is critical that drivers watch their speed and expect to share our streets and roads with bicyclists, runners, and other pedestrians.
Every year, running in Oklahoma City and bicycling in Central Oklahoma become more popular as athletes prepare for upcoming Oklahoma events. With so many people using the roads and neighborhoods for training, safe driving in OKC is more important than ever.
Speed Kills, but it Can also Save Lives
Each year in the United States, there are roughly 9 thousand pedestrians and cyclists killed in traffic crashes, and even more that are injured. In 2021 in Central Oklahoma, there were 43 pedestrians and bicyclists killed in traffic crashes, as well as 86 serious injuries. These numbers emphasize the need for safe streets in Oklahoma City and greater awareness among drivers to watch for bicyclists and runners on the road.
Not all pedestrian crashes have the same outcome. Analysis of crashes where pedestrians are struck reveals that vehicle speed matters tremendously when keeping pedestrians in Oklahoma safe.
First, when we travel at just 30mph, our ability to see the road dramatically decreases. While drivers often report that cyclists and runners “came out of nowhere”, in reality, many drivers are simply driving too fast to observe their surroundings. Jeff Speck illustrated this field of vision phenomena well in Walkable City Rules, which explains how slower speeds improve driver awareness and pedestrian safety.
Second, the Institute of Transportation Engineers reports that 10% of pedestrians struck at 25mph die, but that fatality rate sharply increases as vehicle speeds increase. At 40mph, 80% of pedestrians die.
While it may be tempting to speed and save 20 seconds on the morning commute or an errand run, slower speeds save lives. Protecting Oklahoma City runners, bicyclists, and pedestrians is far more important than saving a few seconds.
As runners and bicyclists take to the pavement in preparation for spring and summer races, drivers in Central Oklahoma can keep their neighbors alive by driving at non-lethal speeds (20 mph or below) that allow drivers to see their surroundings and react to people sharing the road.
2026 Spring and Summer Racing Events
From March 12th to 14th, thousands of OKC residents will haul their bikes and trail running sneakers up to Stillwater to participate in the Mid South gravel races. The event features gravel road running and cycling events for all ages, and many participants have been training for months in preparation for Oklahoma’s largest gravel racing event.
On April 11th and 12th, the Redbud Classic will feature walks, runs, and cycling events. Featuring races of varying lengths, the events start and end just south of Nichols Hills with many cycling races traversing the hills of eastern OKC.
Later in the month, the 26th annual Run to Remember Oklahoma City Marathon will take place from April 24th through 26th. Oklahoma’s largest race has over 25,000 participants each year, drawing world-class athletes to compete alongside everyday runners in the 5k, half marathon, relay, and full marathon events.
With so many people running, walking, and bicycling in Oklahoma City neighborhoods, drivers play an important role in making our streets safer. By slowing down, watching for pedestrians and bicyclists, and sharing the road responsibly, drivers can help ensure that spring marathon training season in Central Oklahoma is safe for everyone.