City presents connectivity micro‑survey: residents say sidewalks and access need improvement, bicycling infrastructure less familiar

City staff presented results from a three‑week “connectivity micro‑survey” to the City Council Wednesday, reporting more than 2,200 responses that highlight gaps in sidewalks and pedestrian connectivity and lower familiarity with bicycle infrastructure.

Aaron McCullough, the city's director of communications, said the micro‑survey followed an 11‑month comprehensive citizen survey and focused on walkability and bikeability in Broken Arrow. McCullough told the council the survey asked six questions and collected about 2,200 responses between Oct. 23 and Nov. 13.

Combined results show roughly two‑thirds of respondents rate street lighting and sidewalk maintenance as “adequate or better,” while considerably more respondents marked “don't know” or “poor” on bicycling ease and bicycle infrastructure. “Bicycling is less of a need for travel and more of a recreational idea for many respondents,” McCullough said; respondents favored separated bike trails over on‑street bike lanes.

The survey asked whether respondents can safely walk or bike to destinations from home; only about 7% said they can safely walk or bike to their workplace, reflecting commuter patterns. Roughly 57% said they cannot safely walk or bike to medical clinics, pharmacies or grocery stores; about 58% said they can safely access parks and playgrounds. When asked their preferred mode for short trips, 40% chose driving, 36% walking and 25% bicycling.

Respondents offered location‑specific priorities. McCullough told the council repeated requests focus on sidewalk connections in the Aspen Ridge corridor and sidewalks and crossings along New Orleans between Olive and Garnett, plus improvements to access points for Liberty Park Trail and fill‑in sidewalks around 91st–101st and other corridors. City staff said they are pursuing Transportation Alternatives Program federal grant applications that would fund about $3.2 million for approximately 1.5 miles of improved connectivity; the city would provide the standard 20% match if the grants are awarded.

Public‑works staff will fold the survey data into capital‑project prioritization and the 2026 bond planning process. Council members asked staff to run a follow‑up micro‑survey on parks and recreation next, including community‑center appetite and Elan Park amenity choices. The city will post the full results online and continue public outreach to prioritize projects.