Any riders in the park have this problem?

[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!

[Eden]

If they are bicycle only lanes then I think you have every right to be annoyed at pedestrians clogging them up. Yes I do think that people can become too complacent in a park setting - they wouldn't think about walking in the middle of the street elsewhere would they? It sounds like the pedestrians are putting themselves in danger, not only from bikes, but from cars also. It sounds like your park needs better signage and enforcement, though I doubt you will ever see it. We have very few separated facilities out here, tails are nearly all mixed use. In the places where they are not there is little to no respect from the walkers for not using the "wheels" only parts of the trails for walking and yes they do act as if they cyclists are the parties in the wrong.

[HappyAnika]

Yes I do think that people can become too complacent in a park setting - they wouldn't think about walking in the middle of the street elsewhere would they?

Well, actually . . . our city seems to be on a roll with fatal pedestrian/car accidents. People keep just walking out in the middle of the street thinking they have the right of way, causing cars to have to stop. However when its dark and drivers cannot see the pedestrians, they get hit and killed. We had 6 such incidents last year in a city of 85,000 people, in all cases the driver was determined NOT to be at fault. I myself have had to suddenly stop to avoid hitting people in the street in the dark 4 times in the last 4 months.

People are stupid, and you can be annoyed at them all you want, but its not going to change their behavior. People don't pay enough attention when they drive, they pay even less attention when they are strolling about, especially on their phones. When I ride on the multi-use paths, I know I just have to be vigilant and I can only pick up speed when I can see far ahead that no one is going to get in my way. I agree you have every right to be frustrated at these clueless people, but I really don't think there is anything you can do about it.

[lizbids]

I'm glad so many people wrote in with their opinions, because I think these are things that few of us talk about anymore. Yes, it isn't worth getting too frustrated, but it sure can ruin your day when someone literally threatens to cut you b/c they feel you shouldn't be on a bike anywhere. I try to be the polite cyclist, b/c the speed-freaks out there really ruin it for the rest of us. I try to set an example. Oh and to asnwer some Q's, the cyclists stop using the bike lane b/c it really is impossible to ride on it (it's very skinny) without hitting someone. And yes to my Central Park friend, Prospect park has a nice little hill to climb, whew!

Yes, I will consider having to get up early on a Saturday and use the park, as the population increases with the afternoon...though it's much warmer at 1pm than at 8am!

I think, as with everything, people get absorbed in themselves and forget where they're at. I do it too! You're gabbing on your cell phone standing a corner when a bus can come crashing down the street--I guess we should all be more careful. Maybe a town other than NYC will be in my future...along with a new set of scenarios to adapt to!

Again, thanks for all the thoughts and ideas! Be safe, all!

[Irulan]

several thoughts

1. Call you local park district and find out exactly what the right of way and speed limit rules are for said bike path. Then you will know if you have a legitimate complaint or not. Who patrols it?

2. get a loud bell.

3. ride on the road.

[lizbids]

Good tips, guys. I'm not 100% sure who is in charge, but I suppose I can always find a parks department I can write to. That may be my best bet. As for riding in the street, NYC is so frustrating--I have to hit my brake EVERY block b/c of lights, people, stop signs, etc. I am very polite and try hard not to cause accidents...I'd rather be 5 minutes late than on time and underneath the wheels of a car, you know?

I do ride to work by bike, and naturally the way I ride on the streets are much different than how I ride in the park. I also want to say that I have been a near-victim of more than one attack riding around NYC...there tends to be a lot of hostility here, and people on bikes are targets. In fact, I just missed a free workshop on how to deal with street harassment, esp us ladies. I narrowly missed one guy trying to mess with me and found out he got another girl a few blocks down...knocked her out cold for no reason. Didn't take her bike or wallet; just a random act of violence. The police were of no help and even gave her bike away and refused to admit it. Very infuriating, I'm sure. I heard she doesn't ride anymore

[Grog]

Not sure what to tell you. You might have a very NYC-specific problem...

I find it so frustrating to ride on bike paths that I'd rather take the road, even if that means going with cars. I don't mind the lights. I'm from Montreal originally and it's a bit less aggressive than NYC, although my riding style there was much more hum.... nervous than it is here in quaint Vancouver, BC.

I don't think there are other solutions than the above mentionned:

BELL

and riding more slowly.

A loud 'Yo' might also help, once in a while.

Or taking the road, behaving like a car, and keeping your cool. Wearing a skort or letting your hair flow out or your helmet to look more feminine might help.

Good luck!