Improving Multi Use Bike Paths

[Carm]

Thank you for all of the comments and great information posted so far. As a result of riding the bike path, I've learned to say "on your left" in 5 different languages.

Sidney_b, is that Lincoln, NE? I need to point my city to another city who has had success with yellow lines.

BikeMomma, thanks for the informative links! BTW, I'm a county employee.

I could be 100% wrong - but I remember reading somewhere that multi use paths were built as a response to receiving money from the Federal government to increase the use of bicycles. The recipients of this money had several options on how to spend it which included widening the street and adding bike lanes. The bike paths were built instead because they were more cost effective than rebuilding the roads. Somewhere along the line, the paths became multi-use.

I'm verifying this information where I live through my city government and bike club advocate and if true will be the basis for my argument on making improvements so that the paths are made more suitable for their original use.
I'll let you guys know what I find out!

Carmen

[MomOnBike]

Yes, Sydney_b was talking about Lincoln, NE. She beat me to the comments.

The striped paths are referred to on the official trail map (checking) as "All weather commuter trails." One in particular has a parallel walking trail that I see many of the slower folk, people with dogs and/or kids on, but honestly, not as often as I'd like.

The "highway markings" are mostly successful, as people are used to the dashed yellow lines on the highway. It is not fool-proof, however, and there are many fools.

As a practicle matter, I have found that my bike bell clears the way better than my voice, though I speak, too, and then thank the passee for moving over. In situations (small kids, clueless adults) where I'm passing on the "wrong" side I say "Coming through!" For people who are directionally challenged (me!) it's more reliable.

Another factor that may make our trails civilized is that we have quite a few, all over town. This spreads the use, and the general knowledge of trail ettiquite is reasonably high.