Any riders in the park have this problem?

[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!

[DeniseGoldberg]

Maybe a town other than NYC will be in my future...along with a new set of scenarios to adapt to!

I'm going to be very interested to hear your reaction to the very different road conditions (and population) that you'll encounter on your tour this summer.

--- Denise

[lizbids]

Yes, I am sure that I will go into a pleasant culture-shock. I only lived outside of NYC in a smaller city...Albany! So yes, I am looking forward to seeing what else is out there. And who knows...I may fall in love with a new part of the country.

The city-slicker in me is scared of grizzlies, mountain lions and lunatics with chainsaws...so ladies of the Northwest/West coast, tell me I'll be okay!

[East Hill]

The city-slicker in me is scared of grizzlies, mountain lions and lunatics with chainsaws...so ladies of the Northwest/West coast, tell me I'll be okay!

lizbids, you will be lucky to see a grizzly bear. I've only seen them in the wild in British Columbia, and that was far from civilisation.

I've never seen a mountain lion in the wild, although I've seen tracks and scat, so again, I don't think you've much to worry about.

Now lunatics with chainsaws, that's a different story. Although you are more likely to run into lunatics with logging trucks, than the chainsaws... .

East Hill

[wannaduacentury]

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!

I know how you feel liz, and agree that you either need a loud horn or someplace new to ride. If it's financially doable in the future, leave NYC and go for greener pastures and new scenery. a smaller city that's more bike friendly perhaps. I get annoyed when folks don't follow the rules and ruin it for everyone. They think the world revolves around them only. Everyone needs to share and pay attention to their surroundings. Good Luck. Jennifer

[mimitabby]

Hey Liz
If you go hiking around here (PacNW), you'd BETTER lock your car and hide all your valuables in it too. We have the roughest wildest wilderness, but unfortunately, there are still humans here too.

[salsabike]

Hey, I grew up in Albany! Have lived in Seattle for 24 years now.

Many people who grew up out here and have never been to NYC have totally unrealistic and weird views of the city---nothing but muggers, etc.

Lizbids, you'll be fine out here! It's great. No more or less scary than any other place.

Yes, I am sure that I will go into a pleasant culture-shock. I only lived outside of NYC in a smaller city...Albany! So yes, I am looking forward to seeing what else is out there. And who knows...I may fall in love with a new part of the country.

The city-slicker in me is scared of grizzlies, mountain lions and lunatics with chainsaws...so ladies of the Northwest/West coast, tell me I'll be okay!

I love the idea of a sunrise. I'm not sure how cold it gets in the late evening, overnight and early morning in that part of the country. I'm assuming it's chillier than I think, especially when you're on the water?

Haha, I know I sound like a neurotic New Yorker. One time I went camping in the Adirondack mountains, and after we checked into a rustic cabin, I locked my car door, to which all of my upstate friends ragged on me the whole time.
What it's really about is inexperience and how I don't want to underestimate the land, you know? I get the feeling within a day or two I'll forget that I'm anywhere but home...on the road

[lizbids]

I hear ya, Mimi--

What made my situation funny is that the land was privately owned by my college, and since we were the only students who had a cabin on the entire plot, it was unlikely that anything would go missing..jeeez, I probably had my club on, too!

[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!

[freshwater_pr0n]

Even if they've painted a bike lane on the pavement, if the majority of park users are peds, it becomes a defacto ped park. The people have had their say on how they want to use that particular bit of parkland. Everyone deserves their day in the sun.

Instead of getting irritated, acknowledge that you've outgrown that park and are ready for bigger things. Ask around - there are so many awesome rides in the NYC area that don't involve constant red lights or parks full of strollers. Any bike store employee, and any courier who isn't a jerk will be happy to kick down their favorite Sunday rides.