Living Car Free - The Worst Bike Path In Drenthe (Netherlands)

The local newspaper, the Dagblad van het Noorden, recently had a piece about "het Slechtste Fietspad van Drenthe" - the worst cycle path in Drenthe (Netherlands).

If that is their "worst," then I wonder how they would view what passes for cycling in Southern California?

See for yourselves right here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6CxXifip-I&feature=player_embedded#!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6CxXifip-I&feature=player_embedded#! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6CxXifip-I&feature=player_embedded#!)

The biggest problem with that path is how narrow it is. If they doubled or tripled the space allocated to the path, it would be much more usable.

I can imagine that in the rain, it's one long puddle, muddy and rutted. Actually it does seem to be a pretty nasty path. I think in Arkansas it would be considered a single track.

What kind of paths are you thinking of in SoCal, FF?

On a nice day, that trail is superior to the 4-lane I take to work... no SUVs to avoid, no lights or stop signs...

I am used to the paved bike paths like at the end of the clip and do really appreciate the 'nature appreciation' of this kind of path for a fun ride every now and again. But not when it is the only option and not when it is bad weather.
If you have read the texts in the clip, you will have noticed that this path is an alternative to several more direct paths in the area and is really not a bike path but a bit of nature 'walk' made available to bicycles.

If you want to read what the maker of the clip has to say, this is his blog about it: http://hembrow.blogspot.com/2010/11/worst-cycle-path-in-drenthe.html

While I live in the Netherlands, I live so far from this path that it is very unlikely that I ever see it for myself.

I can imagine that in the rain, it's one long puddle, muddy and rutted. Actually it does seem to be a pretty nasty path. I think in Arkansas it would be considered a single track.

What kind of paths are you thinking of in SoCal, FF?

Mainly the one I just passed by today driving my mother to the dentist-the Los Angeles River bike path that starts at Fletcher Drive then goes on out to the San Fernando Valley for those of you out there that are familiar with the Los Angeles area. It is a very nice path or road itself; scenic and gently meanders along with it's own bridge crossing at Los Feliz Bl. The problem is most cyclists seem to avoid using this path and still uses either Riverside Drive or one of the parallel streets alongside the river. Only the "Weekend Warrior" sort of recreational orientated cyclist (mainly male) use the path as many troubled characters hang out around the river. I can't help but feel a bit put out that the commuting & utility cycling issues was not really addressed, rather than just continuing to reinforce cycling as a recreational hobby or sport activity or being pushed off to the side if you use another road. Not really addressing a true safe to use alternative to the fast heavily trafficked streets in the surrounding area-reclaiming a completely separated section of Riverside Dr. just for all cyclists to use as they see fit. This poor thought-out process is still contining in spite of spending millions on just this particular path (and it is not even completed it full potential anticipated length yet with all the cutbacks going on) & most cyclists around there ride on the sidewalk, don't dress the part in spandex or Lycra, do not wear helmets, or even speak English. They use bikes for transportation only.

Because in Los Angeles, the roads are for cars and everyone else who is not in a motor vehicle that can keep up with traffic gets the leftovers. And that is real reason why we lock ourselves up in the same cars as I was this morning (and my mother did not feel well too).