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!

[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.

[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.

[Velobambina]

Why not get an air horn? There's an older gent who rides on the trail that I frequent and believe me, it works like a charm. I'm actually thinking about getting one myself!

I agree w/Eden, et.al. There's a mutal responsibility to share the trail. If you have bike lanes specifically designated as 'bikes only,' then other users should respect that. My advice is to anticipate, adjust your riding accordingly, and if all else fails, try to find somewhere else to ride if you really want to hammer. By the way, try to ride during "low use" times like early morning or late evening. That is my solution to avoid the worst of the doofi (doofuses). Means that I can't sleep in on weekends but I can always take an afternoon recovery nap.

[SalsaMTB]

I'm a little confused and very unmotivated at work. So, how exactly is this laid out in the park? I made two quick drawings:



One has the bike lane right next to the road with a grassy section then the pedestrian area. The other has the road, grass, then peds and bikes (peds and bikes can be switched, doesn't matter). If it's set up like the bottom drawing, I would say you should just ride in the road. It's a slow speed limit, it's probably safer than dealing with peds. If it's set up like the top drawing, then you're screwed. Either way, is there a grassy section or some sort of barrier seperating the road from the peds? If so, that's INSANE that parents let their kids run out there and the city really needs to start taking action. We have some pretty heavily used parks around here (I'm sure not like ther e is in NYC though) and I have never seen kids run into the roads. That is just screaming for an accident. If there isn't, well, that just seems like REALLY poor planning on the city for the park layout.

[Offthegrid]

Rodale built this cool little park across from the Velodrome here. It has three lanes like this:

Walkers l Rollerbladers l Bikes l

The biking lane is the widest. But very frequently walkers will be in the bike lane and sometimes the rollerbladers will be in the bike lane because the walkers are in their lane.

What can I say? People are stupid. Unfortunately I think it's a problem you'll find at all parks and bike paths.

[DeniseGoldberg]

I have to start out by saying that I'd have a problem riding where you ride - too many people and cars! You're braver than I am...

It's very rare that I will ride on a bike path. The paths around here are very much overutilized, and I feel that they are not safe places to ride. I'd much rather take my (legal) place on the roads with the cars; at least I have a pretty good idea of how the cars will behave. I remember once many years ago riding in Cambridge (MA) with a friend. He insisted on staying on the bike path. I started there with him, but I quickly moved into the road. I was much happier there.

Do all of the cyclists riding in that park ride on the bike path?

--- Denise