Any riders in the park have this problem?

[lizbids]

Sorry to vent, but hey, it's a forum and eventually I'll have to b*tch about something.
I have a great park by me that lots of people use. On nice weather days, I see tons of people just taking a stroll on cell phones without any consideration of those of us flying by 29mph on bikes...and they're doing this in the bike and car lanes! Or I see parents obliviously letting their kids run around, or they themselves are walking stroller or carriages without giving though to what might happen if a cyclist hits into them.

Am I wrong to feel annoyed? It's bad enough most of the motorists by me literally try to run you over to get in front of you, and now the park has proven to be a deathtrap. It wouldn't even be as bad if the pedestrians didn't treat you like you were some weapon out to hurt them or their loved ones. Can't we all just get along????

[mimitabby]

I am surprised that there aren't speed limits in this park. Where we have high density of walkers mixed with bikers there are often 15 mph speed limits.
IF you want to go 29mph, you belong on the street, imho... Oblivious people on cell phones are not going to get a clue any time soon.

[Eden]

Yeah - sorry to tell you this, but on mixed use trails pedestrians have the right of way. Yes they should be aware they are sharing the trail, they should not block the trail by walking many abreast, they need to be aware of traffic and not recklessly step out and such and I know how frustrating it can be when the walkers are ill behaved and rude, but you as a cyclist have the responsibility of always being in control also. If you feel as if you are constantly in danger of hitting someone at the speed you are traveling, chances are you are traveling too fast (though somehow I suspect you are exaggerating a wee bit about the 30mph bit....), passing too close etc. Just think of yourself as the car and the peds as you on your bike. You want respect and safe driving from the cars when they are near you? Well, the pedestrians have the right to expect the same from you as you are the bigger, heavier and faster individual in this case.

[salsabike]

Yeah - sorry to tell you this, but on mixed use trails pedestrians have the right of way. Yes they should be aware they are sharing the trail, they should not block the trail by walking many abreast, they need to be aware of traffic and not recklessly step out and such and I know how frustrating it can be when the walkers are ill behaved and rude, but you as a cyclist have the responsibility of always being in control also. If you feel as if you are constantly in danger of hitting someone at the speed you are traveling, chances are you are traveling too fast (though somehow I suspect you are exaggerating a wee bit about the 30mph bit....), passing too close etc. Just think of yourself as the car and the peds as you on your bike. You want respect and safe driving from the cars when they are near you? Well, the pedestrians have the right to expect the same from you as you are the bigger, heavier and faster individual in this case.

I agree with Eden.

[lizbids]

I don't think I made myself clear, so let me try a re-write:

There is one section of the park where you go as fast as 30mph b/c of it being so downhill, and I don't think my speedometer is broken, though I often don't go anywhere near that as my hands are on the brakes b/c of people traffic certain days of the week. After the downhill there's an uphill climb where you average 6mph on a windy day, and the rest is basically flat which will allow for 15mph or so. I'm one of the SLOWEST riders, as racers zoom past me...I guess they just ride more competitively.

The other thing is that the bike lane is NOT supposed to be shared by pedestrians b/c there is a pedestrian path in addition to the bike lane...unless I'm competely unfamiliar with the law? There are many cyclists who hit into people on the street who walk between cars into the bike lane, and maybe I'm wrong but I certainly don't see why it's the cyclists's fault. I remember once I was on the Manhattan Bridge standing in the bike lane instead of the pedestrian lane to take a photo, and I pretty much almost caused 10 accidents and vowed to be more careful in the future.

Is there anything I'm really missing here?

[lizbids]

Oh and Mimi,

I looked many times before but have yet to see any speed limits in the park, though the car lanes are 30mph if I'm not mistaken...

And maybe I'm a bit annoyed about the park thing b/c my good friend just was tossed off her bike and broke her arm b/c a parent let a kid run out on a red light (still the park) into the bike and car lane. She chose to fall rather than hit the kid (I would have done the same), so it's just a bummer she was put in that situation. Imagine if she was a car that couldn't stop on time!

[ccnyc]

Lizbids-

I ride in Central Park when I don't feel like leaving the city and, of course, I've encountered the same problems as you. I've discovered that it doesn't matter what the rules are or how unsafe it may be, many people are just going to be oblivious to their surroundings and walk in the road, so I adjust my riding accordingly - for my safety. I now usually stay at the north end of the park, where there are fewer "daydreamers", and do hill repeats. I usually ride early in the day. Perhaps you can restructure your workout in a similar fashion. (Are you riding in Prospect Park? There's a pretty good sized hill there.)

When cars are allowed in Central Park cyclists must use the bike lane (which is right next to the runner's lane - no barrier on either side). It's too dangerous to ride in the road with the traffic. Of course the runners, bladers, and pedestrians do not respect the bike lane, so the choice is either to get out of the city or ride early in the day. I believe the "unofficial" parks bicycle speed limit is 15 mph, but this is rarely, if ever, enforced AFAIK.

Also, for me it's just not worth getting aggravated about this. Everyone else has a right to enjoy the park too. I just have to be smarter than them if I want to stay safe.

Carol