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| *Vultures Knob>>>Street Bike |
Why do bicyclists ride in the street when citys have spend millions making bike paths throughout the citys.? |
Why do bicyclists ride in the street when citys have spend millions making bike paths throughout the citys.? Cyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as motorists on the road. Bicycles are transportation, just like automobiles. Yes, its a good thing that there are more bike paths, but they don't always take you where you need to go. For adult cyclists, riding in the street is generally safer. Trails are populated by little kids who will turn in front of you without warning; little old ladies coming at you in YOUR LANE who freeze like a deer in the headlights and won't move to the right; roller bladers who take up the whole path with their skating motion, and who don't hear you yell "on your left" as you overtake them because the volume on their ipod is turned up to 11. Oh yeah...dogs. if they are on a leash they can't chase you, but they can still get in front of your wheel. The law is very explicit about cyclists right to ride in the street. (So long as they don't impede traffic) I always make a judgement based on whether it is the path or the street that will get me to my destination most safely and effectively and with the least hassle. It is usually (not always, but usually) the street. Because if you have a road bike riding on a path would be very hard on your body due to all of the bumps and hardly any cushioning. It's also not good for the bike. Road bikes are made for speed, not durability and comfort, and as such tend to be fragile. Therefore, you need a smooth surface to ride, like a street. Also, because the point of a road bike is to go fast, and based on the way the bike is made, you can't make quick little turns, like you often need to on paths. Mountain bikes can be ridden on paths with no problems, but not road bikes. Because the law considers us as vehicles and cyclists fare best when they act and are treated as drivers of vehicles, just as the traffic laws require. Even bike lanes can create more problems than they solve. Bikes, when ridden properly, belong on the street with the other vehicles. All the problems mentioned with the previous answers about bike paths are also correct. If the paths are well designed and truly only for bikes, then I'm much more likely to ride on those. Otherwise, these are the main factors that push me to the road: safety, speed, type of path surface, availability. Safety: Bike paths are generally designed for slower moving bike traffic (6-10 mph) and joggers/walkers. This means that paths tend to have more and tighter curves than the road. Paths also generally cross streets and driveways where drivers may not be able to react as quickly to bike crossers that move faster than the pedestrian traffic and slower bikers. For those who can ride 12 - 20 mph, the road is much safer and quicker with fewer chances of collisions with on-path traffic and cross-path traffic. Additionally, paths that go through remote areas are notorious for attacks, muggings and rapes. In those places, I'll take my chances on the road. Speed: Curves, disorganized bike path traffic and path-street-driveway intersections inhibit speed by creating starts, stops and slow downs that are not as frequent on the road. Type of bike path surface: If the bike path is gravel, the gravel dust is not good for road bike components. It can cut the life of expensive components in half. Availability: Even with intricate path systems, the paths don't always go where I need them to go, so I need to use the road to get there. Cities do NOT spend millions on bike paths, Junior. What I'd like to know is why all the cars keep driving on paved roads that were originally made for bicycles? Bicycle invented in 1867; Paved roads laid in 1894; First cars in USA in 1904. Bikes were here first, so bow down and be thankful we allow your sorry butt on OUR roads. because bike paths are put in place by councils to make themselves feel good, but in fact they are almost always ill thought out and dangerous!! how do you turn ride a road bike on a dirt trail? How do you turn left from a bike lane (assuming USA here)? What do you do at every right turn junction when the lane ends to allow motorist to turn right across your right of way? What do you do about all the obstacles in the bike lane (they are always on the edge of the road where there are drains, grates, pot holes, road falling apart)? What to do you do about all the cars that park in the bike lane? Bike lanes are only useful if they are go somewhere, are wide enough to allow for 2-way traffic with passing, are entirely separate from pedestrians and motor vehicles, do not involve crossing busy roads and junctions. When this is not the case, it is safer to ride on the road as part of the rest of the traffic. |
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