Saturday, September 3, 2016

Twin Trails Teaser

This morning Tony and I put our bikes in he car and drove to Forest Park (the area's largest urban park) for a ride before we went out to lunch. The park has a nice set of parallel trails (paved for 'wheels' and unpaved for 'heels') that loop around the outer edges. Despite the dual trails, we still had to dodge innumerable people walking and jogging in the bike lanes.

WHY do they do that?!?

I'm far from a professional bicyclist, preferring to putter along at 10-12 miles per hour (and slightly less than that on hills). Even at that speed, though, I'm much faster than anyone on their feet. At first I offered a polite “Passing on your left” every time I went by someone, but I soon I noticed that most walkers had their music going and couldn't hear what I said, anyway.  The issue was particularly tricky when there was a cyclist coming from the other direction.  Then it was like trying to navigate a two-lane road and deciding when to pass the slow-moving vehicle in front of you. 

If I was in charge, the mom running next to her looked-to-be-about-6-years-old daughter riding on her bike would be allowed on paved trail, as would the people pushing strollers (because it's hard to push those small wheels on gravel). Everyone else would be shoo'd off and told to go to their own side.

Five years ago today: I'm Dreaming Of Some Cool Weather

8 comments:

  1. People are just oblivious to common sense.

    ReplyDelete
  2. What's the signage like? Here they paint the logos onto the paved path and have signs sporadically placed on the side of the unpaved one.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There were only signs, placed at each area someone would start using a trail. Maybe that's something they could improve.

      Delete
  3. It's terrible for you on your bike, some people!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, not the safest situation, but at least I made it though.

      Delete
  4. I think that your rules of the road sound reasonable and like the safest alternative for all!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! :-) I asked Tony if I was being overly critical. He's such a laid back guy that I was surprised when he agreed with me.

      Delete