Speed limit and restrictions on bike trails??
10-14-14, 02:04 PM
#27
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Try to consider others, 15 mph isn't exactly a "hardship" speed, and those who feel the need for speed have many safe, legal options. If the speed limits are raised to accommodate the fastest riders, that takes away the one of the main benefits of a MUP for most users, and they have far fewer options.
Its kinda like saying if cyclists shouldn't have to slow down for others on MUTs, then drivers shouldn't have to slow down for cyclists on roads. Its not equitable to expect the one without the other.
Its kinda like saying if cyclists shouldn't have to slow down for others on MUTs, then drivers shouldn't have to slow down for cyclists on roads. Its not equitable to expect the one without the other.
I feel even though I personally will never average 25mph I think the limit should be just that because there are a LOT of riders who not only average that speed, but actually average faster than that.
10-16-14, 11:52 AM
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There was a fatal accident on the MUP at a local park last year that happened when a kid on a park district outing ran into an elderly woman. She ended up dying from the injuries from the fall a huge debate ensued. The park district sought plenty of input from the public, and did work to preserve the right to ride around the lake that was stipulated by some of the construction grants obtained to lave the path. I was pretty impressed by what I saw of the process, even if it did result in even more signs with an 8 mph speed limit for us.
10-26-14, 08:26 AM
#29
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Out in Seattle thryve recently started cracking down on MUP riders who go over the posted 10-15mph speed limits. There was a story this past summer on cops with radar *** on the bike paths giving out tickets and "educating" riders about the dangers of rising above te speed limit on MUPs.
10-26-14, 10:56 AM
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I’d have to agree with Cranky One that in most states they’d have to witness the infraction, however IF I were the local LEOs I’d use data from Strava, Endomondo, MapMyFitness, etc. to pinpoint areas where cyclists are known to speed and setup a speed trap for them. Just like they do for motorists.
10-26-14, 11:07 AM
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I have to disagree with you. A speeding cyclist can be just as deadly as a speeding motorist. We’ve seen plenty of articles here where more then a few cyclists have hit and killed pedestrians.
And I would have to say that your “logic” is the same “logic” that most motorists use when they speed, fail to signal turns and lane changes, run red lights and stop signs, and don’t stop before making a right on red.
10-26-14, 04:17 PM
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Maxillius,
I have to disagree with you. A speeding cyclist can be just as deadly as a speeding motorist. We’ve seen plenty of articles here where more then a few cyclists have hit and killed pedestrians.
And I would have to say that your “logic” is the same “logic” that most motorists use when they speed, fail to signal turns and lane changes, run red lights and stop signs, and don’t stop before making a right on red.
I have to disagree with you. A speeding cyclist can be just as deadly as a speeding motorist. We’ve seen plenty of articles here where more then a few cyclists have hit and killed pedestrians.
And I would have to say that your “logic” is the same “logic” that most motorists use when they speed, fail to signal turns and lane changes, run red lights and stop signs, and don’t stop before making a right on red.
About 200 lbs total at 25 mph vs 4000 lbs at 75 mph? And they're "just as deadly"?
Can a cyclist kill? Yes - it's happened. But it's so damn rare that when it does happen it's a news story. When a car kills someone it's no big deal - to the point where a driver using a car to kill a Canadian soldier in a terrorist attack seems to rate less news stories than when the SF cyclist killed a pedestrian.
10-26-14, 06:48 PM
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Wut?!?!?!
About 200 lbs total at 25 mph vs 4000 lbs at 75 mph? And they’re “just as deadly”?
Can a cyclist kill? Yes - it’s happened. But it’s so damn rare that when it does happen it’s a news story. When a car kills someone it’s no big deal - to the point where a driver using a car to kill a Canadian soldier in a terrorist attack seems to rate less news stories than when the SF cyclist killed a pedestrian.
About 200 lbs total at 25 mph vs 4000 lbs at 75 mph? And they’re “just as deadly”?
Can a cyclist kill? Yes - it’s happened. But it’s so damn rare that when it does happen it’s a news story. When a car kills someone it’s no big deal - to the point where a driver using a car to kill a Canadian soldier in a terrorist attack seems to rate less news stories than when the SF cyclist killed a pedestrian.
I’m sorry, but just ONE bicycle v pedestrian or just ONE bicycle v bicycle fatality is ONE too many. Just like ONE car v bicycle or ONE car v pedestrian fatality is ONE too many.
How do we know how rare it is? It could be one of those under reported crimes.
That may be down on this side of the US/Canada boarder, but how was it covered on the Canada side of the boarder? I mean the recent shooting at their Parliament was pretty well covered.
Or look at it this way, Chicago has some of the toughest g u n control laws in the nation, and yet they lead the nation in g u n related violence. I know many blame the lax g u n control laws in the nearby areas for Chicago’s violence, but I would have to say that the real cause is that those living in Chicago do NOT fear the repercussions of getting caught with an illegal g u n in Chicago.
10-26-14, 07:02 PM
#35
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I don't think several people here understand how the police modify unsafe behavior. They do it by making their presence known to the extent that you worry that they may be there when you go out.
They don't pick the biggest problem and only put their resources into that problem. They spread their presence out so that as many problems as possible can be dealt with. It makes a lot of sense, really.
They don't pick the biggest problem and only put their resources into that problem. They spread their presence out so that as many problems as possible can be dealt with. It makes a lot of sense, really.
10-26-14, 07:37 PM
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On the paths in Korea there is a 'limit' of 20kmh, but I've never seen anyone - even little old ladies on cruisers actually ride slower than that. The average speed is much higher.
10-26-14, 09:27 PM
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Bicycle crashes are actually just as serious as an automobile accident. Statically the odds are greater of being in an automobile accident, as is dying. But the odds of cyclists being injured (even seriously injured) are impressively great.
But no body gets out the calculator to figure activity risks. People use their emotions to decide what is or isn't dangerous. But honestly... I don't think I'd feel any better if I only broke the hip of an elderly (which would be my own age) pedestrian.
10-26-14, 09:36 PM
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[QUOTE=LGHT;17212469]
Is this the norm for dedicated bike paths / trails?
The speed limit on MUP's in and around Montreal is 20kph.
Is this the norm for dedicated bike paths / trails?
The speed limit on MUP's in and around Montreal is 20kph.
10-26-14, 10:27 PM
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I have to agree with Bad Rad, YOU trivialized it when you used it to make your point.
10-26-14, 10:37 PM
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I once saw a TV reporter ask a window washer about “premium pay” for high rise buildings. The window washer laughed! He correctly pointed out that the odds of an accident doesn’t change merely because of the building height. And the fall for 4 stories is just a deadly as a fall for 100 stories.
Bicycle crashes are actually just as serious as an automobile accident. Statically the odds are greater of being in an automobile accident, as is dying. But the odds of cyclists being injured (even seriously injured) are impressively great.
But no body gets out the calculator to figure activity risks. People use their emotions to decide what is or isn’t dangerous. But honestly... I don’t think I’d feel any better if I only broke the hip of an elderly (which would be my own age) pedestrian.
Bicycle crashes are actually just as serious as an automobile accident. Statically the odds are greater of being in an automobile accident, as is dying. But the odds of cyclists being injured (even seriously injured) are impressively great.
But no body gets out the calculator to figure activity risks. People use their emotions to decide what is or isn’t dangerous. But honestly... I don’t think I’d feel any better if I only broke the hip of an elderly (which would be my own age) pedestrian.
Agreed, dead is dead, it doesn’t matter the cause of death, i.e. a person hit and killed by a car is just as dead as a person hit and killed by a bicycle or who has been bitten by a venomous snake or spider, or scorpian, marinelife, or lightening, or from eating a poisonous plant, dead is dead. The same with being injured, it doesn’t matter if those injuries are the result of getting hit by a car or a bicycle.
Achoo, I suggest that you ask the survivors of a bicycle v pedestrian crash if they feel any better that their loved one lost their life to a bicycle vs. a car, or the person who was hit and severly injured by a bicycle if they feel better that their injuries were caused by a bicycle vs. a car.
I’m betting that in both cases that the victims and/or their survivors will NOT feel any better if it was a bicycle that killed or injured them or their loved ones.
10-26-14, 10:58 PM
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I know I wasn't any happier knowing it was a bicycle crash (as opposed to a car crash) that laid me up for a few weeks! I love cycling! But there is an element of risk with cycling.
10-27-14, 05:58 AM
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There are no posted limits on the MUP's I ride and the vast majority of the routes I ride, are out through the corn and bean fields. I push as fast as I can, except when overtaking.
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10-27-14, 06:41 AM
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There are no speed limits here on the 130 miles of MUPS in Lincoln Ne. For the most part I try not to exceed 15 mph. That seems to me to be a reasonable speed. If you are a big crank bender, there is always the streets.
10-27-14, 08:17 AM
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Thank you, I don’t think anyone will be “happier” knowing that it is/was a bicycle crash vs. a car crash.
True, there is a risk in anything that we do. One could be killed just walking out of their front door, or walking down the sidewalk.
10-28-14, 12:23 AM
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Since the sun is going doing sooner I recently rode a trail after work to get more ride time in. It's has a dedicated bike / running / walking path that's about 10 miles long. It's a really nice wide path with great pavement that's used by a LOT of cyclist. I noticed the trail had guys in packs of 5-10 cruising at 20+ in both directions. There are several thousand rides logged on strava and I had no idea it existed until recently so it’s a great find for me. It was sort of funny because it seems the locals are well aware of the bikes and how fast they ride. It was nice because most seemed to walk pretty far off the side of the path allowing riders to take most of the path. In fact they even have a Time Trial posted for Strava riders. It’s a 2.3 mile run with a top speed record of 31.6 mile / h.
I was making good time on the trial, but was passed by several riders. This all seemed to be the norm and totally accepted by everyone on the trial. However toward the end of the trail I noticed a few odd signs that seemed to be just a waste of space.
Is this the norm for dedicated bike paths / trails? I didn’t see anyone under 15mph on the downhill stretch and really didn’t see anyone bothered by the speed the bikes were going. I did stop at all signs, but didn't notice a walk your bike sign until looking up some info about the path and that's the first time I've ever seen a walk your bike sign.
I was making good time on the trial, but was passed by several riders. This all seemed to be the norm and totally accepted by everyone on the trial. However toward the end of the trail I noticed a few odd signs that seemed to be just a waste of space.
Is this the norm for dedicated bike paths / trails? I didn’t see anyone under 15mph on the downhill stretch and really didn’t see anyone bothered by the speed the bikes were going. I did stop at all signs, but didn't notice a walk your bike sign until looking up some info about the path and that's the first time I've ever seen a walk your bike sign.
Like the saying goes, 'I have places to go, people to see, and things to do'.
Last edited by Chris516; 10-28-14 at 12:29 AM.
10-28-14, 06:45 AM
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The local rail trail here (one of the heaviest trafficked trais in the country) has "Ride at a safe speed." That's worked well for about 20 years. Lately however.... (Hint - "show hidden segments".)
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