Bikepathaletes (Denver)

[42x16ss]

As Spring rolls around, I felt it was necessary to bump this thread up.

Just moved to the Quad Cities area (Davenport, Moline, etc.). Both the Iowa and Illinois sides have great bike paths trailing the Mississippi River, and are valuable assets to get out to deserted training routes.

However I went on my first group ride in the area the other week. The ride started on the bike path, and immediately right from the get-go everyone starts shooting off at 35km/hr+. Keep in mind there are like 35 people in this group, and we stayed on this path for a good 5 to 6 miles.

The incredibly poor class of the group (especially its leaders) of ramping up the speed on a congested community path left such a bad taste in my mouth, especially when there is a perfectly acceptable road directly parallel to the path for a large group to make its presence known to drivers.

I think its safe to say I will not be joining their Wednesday night escapades any more.

I was using the main bike path along Coronation Drive into Brisbane city this morning for the first time in a long time and wow! Here I was just spinning along at 28-30 kmh and people are racing around like maniacs

There were guys head down forcing themselves past me only to go backwards at the crests coming into the city, near misses with runners, people turning onto the path blind and cutting other people off - absolute craziness. I now remember why I risk the peak time traffic

 

[Boeing]

One Sunday about 3 weekends ago I was spinning home after a long dig. We decided to take the Santa ana River Trail from PCH to cut it short.

we were cruising along about 19 in spots and slowing at bridge under passes, crowds, kids and the like. So at an underpass with a family bogged down at the bottom with kids and dad trying to get bike up the slight grade and on coming passing traffic, Tri-Guy in his aero tuck far from brakes passes me into the shadows at like 23+. it was like slalom skiing, scared the bjezus out of me but the family was petrified. all a kid had to do was take one step. So I caught him and politely suggested he chill and not mash that a few seconds off his throttle wont hurt fitness and he gave me some lip and shook his head like a complete Dou$che. He was fit though like world class Tri ripped etc. that is the thing about Tri Guy or gal there is some complete disconnect between common sense and their elitist entitlement as if their fitness is unquestionable therefore their right to any line is undeniable.

Maybe I was out of line for saying something but it is not uncommon to collide with a Ped here in SoCal. An asian lady at the Korean baptist church near UCI on the back bay trail was killed buy a rogue cyclist doing the same thing. He claimed he was only going 12 mph. right.

SO the question remains; Why? Why the narrow tude in the aero bars?

I have taken risks before but they are mainly within in the dynamic of a group ride and the inherent risk all participants accept equally.

 

[DirtyWorks]

It is called an eliptigo. It was like an elliptical trainer on a stand up bicycle.

Pretty amazing they are selling those things. I've seen a few. My guess is people like them because they are so visible. I'm not one to judge. People think I'm crazy for spending more than $500 on a bike.

Will you guys complaining about bikepathletes ever do anything BUT complain?

I am old enough to remember when I could ride alone for an hour on them and you don't want to go back to that time. Why? Because getting hit by a car getting there was quite likely and the path was an actual minefield of broken glass, or they'd remove a section for underground maintenance and not replace it for months because maintaining the path was someone else's job.. I'm not making any of this up.

You REALLY ACTUALLY WANT PEOPLE USING THESE RESOURCES. More people riding bikes is a net good. So, what are you going to do to improve the situation?

 

[Tom T.]

Wow, such horror stories. I have to say here in Portland, Maine people are pretty well behaved on the paths. We have one that goes around the east end of town and I sometimes ride it to avoid the center of the city if I'm heading over to South Portland. I go slow and I've never had a problem with anyone being stupid. The worst thing is approaching people from behind who are cranking tunes and don't hear my hello/warning.

Actually, I've had worse experiences running. Often groups of 2-4 will hog the trail as I approach, leaving me little to no room. My tactic is to throw the left elbow out a little bit and adopt body language that looks like I will run them over if they don't move (and really, I have no place to go since there is a fence to my right). Nobody's ever stood their ground.

They definitely move for a bike.

 

[42x16ss]

Pretty amazing they are selling those things. I've seen a few. My guess is people like them because they are so visible. I'm not one to judge. People think I'm crazy for spending more than $500 on a bike.

Will you guys complaining about bikepathletes ever do anything BUT complain?

I am old enough to remember when I could ride alone for an hour on them and you don't want to go back to that time. Why? Because getting hit by a car getting there was quite likely and the path was an actual minefield of broken glass, or they'd remove a section for underground maintenance and not replace it for months because maintaining the path was someone else's job.. I'm not making any of this up.

You REALLY ACTUALLY WANT PEOPLE USING THESE RESOURCES. More people riding bikes is a net good. So, what are you going to do to improve the situation?

You make some great points there, and the bike path that I complained about above is actually a great resource and is excellent for getting in and out of the city easily and safely. A lot more people are confident in riding to and from the city since it has been implemented and overall it has been a very successful project (especially since it was upgraded). It's just that it can get rather intense at peak times during the day and this is countering the positives.

It doesn't help that there are people who don't exercise a little consideration when using shared paths. Unfortunately this seems to contribute to the "us and them" mentality that is still strong here in Australia regarding cyclists. It isn't that hard - respect the people around you on the paths and they will respect you when they see you out on the road driving. Give a little, get a little.

 

[MarkvW]

Only good things happen when more voters use bike paths.

 

[ustabe]

I'm in 100 percent agreement.

 

[RDV4ROUBAIX]

At the end of last season after starting this thread I rolled up on 2 crashes on the Cherry Creek trail, one caused by a roadie, the other a tridork. One was trying to pass on a blind corner, the other a blind corner under a bridge. All victims bloodied, on their backs in neck braces and attended to by EMT's.

Makes me furious!

 

[DirtyWorks]

It doesn't help that there are people who don't exercise a little consideration when using shared paths. Unfortunately this seems to contribute to the "us and them" mentality that is still strong here in Australia regarding cyclists.

In my locale, there's even an "us and them" between people using bikes as last-resort transportation, and various levels of enthusiasts. Having watched the growth over the decades is nice, but a little frustrating.

What do you do to a rider that makes it risky/unpleasant on shared paths?

They need to get some clues. I thought a two-sided tri-folded document on coated paper so it fits in the jersey and will last a the possibly sweaty trip home for the person to read.

My idea may not be great, but yelling at them won't work. Saying hello and offer them the brochure to possibly contemplate with local cycling club info too. You aren't going to fix everyone, but over time things should improve.

What are 5-8 best practices for sharing a multiuse path?
-In the U.S. it's slower traffic stays right.
-Something about not going for a personal record on a crowded path.
-If you really want to go faster, do it on open uncrowded sections at quiet times.
-no earbuds?
-I think "on your left" type advice won't work in my area. Too many languages and mp3 players.

I'm too wordy though... Any other ideas?

 

[usedtobefast]

In my locale, there's even an "us and them" between people using bikes as last-resort transportation, and various levels of enthusiasts. Having watched the growth over the decades is nice, but a little frustrating.

What do you do to a rider that makes it risky/unpleasant on shared paths?

They need to get some clues. I thought a two-sided tri-folded document on coated paper so it fits in the jersey and will last a the possibly sweaty trip home for the person to read.

My idea may not be great, but yelling at them won't work. Saying hello and offer them the brochure to possibly contemplate with local cycling club info too. You aren't going to fix everyone, but over time things should improve.

What are 5-8 best practices for sharing a multiuse path?
-In the U.S. it's slower traffic stays right.
-Something about not going for a personal record on a crowded path.
-If you really want to go faster, do it on open uncrowded sections at quiet times.
-no earbuds?
-I think "on your left" type advice won't work in my area. Too many languages and mp3 players.

I'm too wordy though... Any other ideas?

in many locales, there are bike advocates in municipal government. a trail etiquette campaign would benefit all users. that will give legitimacy to the entire thing. just some signs and brochures would be pretty inexpensive and
help everyone stay on the same page.

 

[Aristarchus]

In my locale, there's even an "us and them" between people using bikes as last-resort transportation, and various levels of enthusiasts. Having watched the growth over the decades is nice, but a little frustrating.

What do you do to a rider that makes it risky/unpleasant on shared paths?

They need to get some clues. I thought a two-sided tri-folded document on coated paper so it fits in the jersey and will last a the possibly sweaty trip home for the person to read.

My idea may not be great, but yelling at them won't work. Saying hello and offer them the brochure to possibly contemplate with local cycling club info too. You aren't going to fix everyone, but over time things should improve.

What are 5-8 best practices for sharing a multiuse path?
-In the U.S. it's slower traffic stays right.
-Something about not going for a personal record on a crowded path.
-If you really want to go faster, do it on open uncrowded sections at quiet times.
-no earbuds?
-I think "on your left" type advice won't work in my area. Too many languages and mp3 players.

I'm too wordy though... Any other ideas?

In my area (Ottawa-Gatineau, Canada), there are posted speed limits of 20 km/h on the rather extensive recreational path network that we have here. But those limits are not enforced (most people ignore it anyway, as do I, I confess), nor am I sure that anyone has the authority to do so.

On the Quebec side of the river, it is illegal to ride with headphones (I know it is enforced on the roads, but probably not the paths), and I am not sure about the Ontario side. However, this doesn't stop in-line skaters from wearing their earbuds, creating a dangerous situation when they're zig-zagging across both lanes, unable to hear the bell of a cyclist (which we're legally-mandated to have).

I've also seen a fair number of children who are learning to ride their bikes. While I'm thrilled to see families riding together, I question the wisdom of using a well-travelled path as a place to learn to ride. Try a parking lot or a quiet residential street, imo.

There's also the common problem of large groups of pedestrians taking up both lanes, and leaving no room to pass. I've found it common to be ringing away at my bell, and have them do little more than stare at me as I come to a complete stop behind them, unable to get around.

Having said all of this (and I could say more), most of it comes down to being a good citizen. Speak up when you need to, when people are being obstructive or a nuisance...but be polite. If you're a jerk, they'll respond in kind, and be unlikely to change their habits. I'd much rather we patrol ourselves, than to have police patrols on the paths.

 

[karlboss]

I've always ridden on roads, but moved house and now find myself occaisionally using the shared bike paths to work. Like other posters I can't believe the attitude that comes from some cyclists, and other users.
What can be done? Come up with some universal rules, teach users what they are, and enforce them.
What am I going to do? Slowdown, chill out, wait patiently when I need to, greet other users with a smile...and whinge on forums about how it could be better
Our city council(sydney, Australia) just spent loads of money on bike paths, and actually provide free rider training...just not too many people are taking advantage of it.