Catalyzes the transfer of the phosphate group from adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to (R)-glycerate to form (2R)-2-phosphoglycerate, an enzymatic step in (L)-glucarate/galactarate catabolic pathway. (R)-glycerate + ATP = (2R)-2-phosphoglycerate + ADP + H(+) Optimum pH is 7.3-7.9. In glycerate, glucarate and glycolate-grown cells but not in glucose-grown cells (at protein level). GK1 has a half-life of 92 minutes while GK2 has a half-life of 11 minutes at 49 degrees Celsius. Belongs to the glycerate kinase type-1 family. E.coli has 2 glycerate kinases, GK1 and GK2; it is not clear which gene encodes which enzyme. Extended N-terminus. Extended N-terminus. Extended N-terminus.