Any riders in the park have this problem?

[SouthernBelle]

You do have, to an extent, a NYC problem. I pretty much avoid the local park. Last year I cracked my ribs avoiding a child. I will occasionally cut through there, but don't use it for general riding.

[lisa_b]

Biking on the streets of New York is not so fun with avoiding traffic and people and potholes and other things in the road. It just doesn't make for the best weekend ride. I've found that getting up early makes things much better-there are far fewer people on the bike paths and in the park and on the weekend I can always try and grab a nap in the afternoon!

[missymaya]

I agree with the rest of the gals. It's best to take the trail early, when most people are sleeping or just getting up. When I go to work, I use the trail b/c it's a longer route and I can get more mileage that way and I have to leave early. If you can't ride earlier or the trail is just packed all of the time, it's best just to take to the road. I then hop onto the road where the trail ends. I think it's easier to maneuver on the road and there are usually clear signals as to what's going on (right hand turn lane signs, traffic lights, etc.) compared to the path. You can easily guess what a car's gonna do (most of the time), but not a kid!

[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

[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

[SouthernBelle]

Sorry, but I have to laugh. Folks from NYC always seem to have an unrealistic view of the rest of the world.

[Velobambina]

Liz--You might really enjoy a sunrise ride. Believe me, you can acclimate to the cold. The first few cold weather rides are the worst, but with the right layers and chemical hand/foot warmers, you'll be fine. I love the light that time of the day, and you get to see a lot of wild life (raccoons, bunnies, foxes, and occasionally, a coyote for me!!). I often have the trail pretty much to myself for the first hour or two--nothing beats it. Have to admit that as much as I love the spring and warmer temps, I do not at all like the influx of "fair weather exercisers." Those of us who brave the winter cold should have emminent domain!!! LOL.
By the way, I sometimes fantasize about having a handlebar mounted super soaker with which I could blast the most idiotic of trail rules offenders. It helps me keep my sense of humor to imagine blasting them out of my way.

[Grog]

I also suggest riding a bike in the early morning for another reason: car drivers seem to be much more peaceful in the morning. They accumulate frustrations as they go through the day and that's when they become dangerous!!

[lizbids]

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

[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.