Near bike route reminds people

[shootingstar]

Sometimes when people live near a signed /marked bike route/path, they can be persuaded to at least think about cycling. Even do something about it.

Had 2 events happen today to illustrate:

1. At a Mediterranean bakery which is right by a bike path out in the suburbs, a customer complained to the store clerk that drivers of 3 different cars were selfish enough to spread themselves over 5 parking spots. There were 10 other empty parking spots, less than 4 ft. away! I am a regular customer here. The parking lot seldom gets completely full.

The clerk and I looked at each other, while customer ranted. The clerk offered to the gentleman: "But she has it the best: by bike. No parking problems, no gas, and no cost." I beamed to the guy: "No need for a fitness club". That broke down his rant.

2. 2 hrs. later I was parking my bike outside my home building and unloading my groceries. One of the condo board members wheeled out the door, a new bike. Now she is in her late 20's. Her mother followed behind her. " Happy riding. It's a beautiful day for cycling", I said.

She said, " Thanks. I haven't been on a bike for the last 20 yrs.".

She and some other people in my building do know that I bike often. We all live within a 3 min. ride to a very popular bike route. I can see it from home.


I would like to think that just having cycling infrastructure close by, does get some people to think about cycling, transportation /fun/fitness.

[hebe]

I do hope so! I think that is the logic behind much infrastructure development here. I remember one of my friends being quite stunned when she realised she could bike to town along a bridleway quicker than she could drive it via the roads. She has 3 children under 5 so she doesn't get to ride it often. I've noticed that some of the newer housing estates have cycling access built in, especially between them and the local school or the next closest section of shared path.

I didn't realise how many cycle friendly routes were on my doorstep until I bought a map. I was plenty aware of the stretches of shared footpath, but I didn't know about the bridleways and quieter lanes until I looked for them.

Drivers are funny about parking, aren't they? I was always surprised by the demand for the closest spaces to the gym front door.

[Melalvai]

We're building a trail that will connect town to the State Park. Currently an 8-9 mile drive on highways, it will be a 4 mile paved trail. Of course we have done a lot of research into trails, as part of this project. One thing we learned is that the trail head needs to be easily visible. A trail that is hard to find, that you don't literally trip over when you're walking downtown, won't be a successful trail.

[shootingstar]

A trail that is hard to find, that you don't literally trip over when you're walking downtown, won't be a successful trail.

yup. Wayfinding, ie. visible signage intermittedly along the way is important plus integrated into the city's regular visitor maps.