Sansa

So I have started commuting to on my bike last month and I'm always worried about getting hit by passing cars.There is a bike path that can get me were I need to go but it's an extra 2 miles. What would you do take the bike path or road?

mtalinm

if you are worried, take the bike path - especially during rush hour.

try the road if you can commute off-peak. as you build confidence, you may want to try the road more.

a lot of people complain about paths being inconvenient, but even if you collide with another biker or pedestrian it's going to hurt a lot less than a collision with a car.

i know many people disagree with me (dons flame suit)

DataJunkie

It depends.
Try both and then decide. No one can say definitively if either is better for you.

wunderkind

Hey, if it's your time, it's your TIME. Mr. Reaper can come a callin' even if you are standing in a LBS looking at bar stems.





So just be smart about it and ride.

tjspiel

If you dread your commute, that's not a good thing. An extra couple of miles isn't a high price to pay if it lets you relax.

My commute is a mix of road and paths. I could make it almost entirely bike path by going 3 miles out my way but the roads are primarily calm residential streets and a few city streets that I'm not the least bit bothered by riding on.

JeremyZ

There's no question here. Take the path. 2 extra miles is nothing.

I think you will enjoy the commute a lot more, and you won't have to worry about some idiot on her cell phone taking you out. Not only that, but you will get 2 miles' more worth of exercise.

MrCjolsen

I regularly add 2 miles to my commute in order to use less hazardous roads. It depends on how the bike path is designed.

Drew Eckhardt 

Road.

It's both faster and safer assuming the "bike path" crosses roads and/or is a multi-use path.

Where bike paths cross-the road, car drivers are less attentive to vehicle speed traffic there than on the road, especially where it's running in the wrong direction. I've only been hit by a car as an adult when riding on a "bike path".

Multi-use paths also have un-predictable non-cyclists like unleashed dogs and children. I've only come close to running into people when on a multi-use path where those things jumped in front of me. Cars are generally predictable except when parking and you can avoid those.

FreddyV

Take the detour. I take a detour because I'm scared of a crazy goose in the area I used to ride. My ride now takes me 5 minutes more, bu who cares, as I'm having lot's more fun again

JeremyZ

By the way, there's a thread called: "Roadie Commuters" that goes over all the pros & cons of bike path vs. road commuting. Check it out, it is still active as I type this.

gholt

I started riding part bike path and less travelled roads. It added about 2.5 miles to the commute, but I now avoid some pretty bad areas for traffic. Plus, I don't miss the traffic by any means. There are times on the MUP, that you have to slow down for the walkers and other people, but, on the whole I like it much better.

Artkansas 

Do what makes you feel most comfortable.

dwilbur3

+1 Two miles will probably add only about 10 minutes (give or take a minute or two). A comfortable, relaxed ride that's 10 minutes longer is the better deal any day IMHO.

Andy_K 

What's all this about an extra two miles being a "price" to be paid? I often take an alternate route that's two miles longer just because I get to ride two more miles. If you enjoy the bike path more, definitely go that way.

JeremyZ

We have differing opinions on what is safer, but here are some other points I just thought of:

Collisions on bike paths are probably going to be less damaging to your body. If you hit a dog or a person, they give a little. (and they get to share in the pain for being dumb!)

When you go flying off your bike, you're probably not going to hit a hard car, post, or curb if you're on a path. The ground is still hard of course, especially if it is a paved path.

You don't get bullied on paths. You aren't a target for pellet guns, coffee, or blow darts.

You'll probably get to meet more cyclists too.

wunderkind

^ Yeah on MUPs, cyclists are the sharks. On the road, cyclists are guppies.

OP, you ought to try both and go with whatever that you feel works for you. I am fortunate that our metro area are cycling focus and most of our major roads have clearly defined bike lines and are well traveled. Meaning motorists are used to seeing cyclists traveling along with them.
When the weather turns nice, MUPs are full of people, dogs and cyclists. Alot of these people are just as engaged with:
- Media devices ipod, iphone, i-whatever (damn you Apple!)
- busy yakking away with friends
- strolling aimlessly
- erratic dog behaviours and their clueless slaves
- moms and their wide-berth strollers that think any one going faster than walking pace is a menace
- jogging buddies that yak with one another...
- the list goes on.
I have personally witnessed multiple times of pedestrians walking into one another due to either Twittering or replying to Facebook. It's ridiculous.

So in that sense, you have a smorgasbord of variables that will have your fingers on the brake levers at all times.

ItsJustMe

It's up to you. Different people have different tolerances. I have talked to people who are absolutely terrified to even think about riding on the roads I ride on - while I think they're extremely safe and I've never been even slightly worried about it, except in the winter when the road hasn't been plowed, and cars think it's still OK to do 60 MPH when there's two tire ruts down the road and I'm in one of them.

Sentinel04

I'd agree with going the extra two miles.

However, I initially used a MUP exclusively for a few months, but then as I grew more confident, I try to get off of it possible for all the reasons that have been listed so far. I think the most dangerous aspects (or at least the most worrying) are kids, pets and strollers. Add the iPods/iPhones/whatever and it only gets worse.

taksx

It might be worth it to take the bike path on the way back home since people are out and in a rush to get to places after work. My commute is not very busy in the morning but after work I keep my guard up.

corkscrew

I switch it up.

On days I'm in a hurry, or otherwise wanting speed, I'll take the roads. 8.5 miles with no hills.

Otherwise, its worth it for me to drop down a hill, take either the 10 or 11 mile MUP ride (two path options), and head up another hill to get to work. No one calls me a *Fa*got* on the MUP or right hooks me, and being by a river, its more than worth the hills and extra distance.

RobertFrapples

Consider getting a mirror if you do not have one. I feel (and probably am) much safer riding on the road with a mirror as I know when cars are going to pass me before they do so I can adjust my line if necessary.

damselfli

"Bike path or road - So I have started commuting to on my bike last month and I'm always worried about getting hit by passing cars.There is a bike path that can get me were I need to go but it's an extra 2 miles. What would you do take the bike path or road?"

Statistically speaking, you are safer on a road.

Comparing your options, it depends on the roads you are riding, and the paths that are available. I was hit by a motorist once -- riding a side path and crossing at a pedestrian crosswalk. Motorist was looking left, turning right on red, never stopped. I had the right-of-way and she approached so quickly, my defensive turn wasn't fast enough to avoid her.
The problem was three-fold:
1. the side path was only on one side of the road (so I was riding AGAINST traffic in this case);
2. the curb cut was built on the corner, rather than 2 curb cuts facing each direction (so when I moved from the path into the street, I had my back turned ever so briefly to the traffic);
3. the motorist was reckless (and I suspect she was on a cell phone).

I never ride paths if I can avoid them. Alternative streets that might avoid bad roads? Yes.

AndrewP

Try both at different times. I have a bike path that is great in the early mornings but gets really crowded in the early evenings. Some busy roads have wider lanes which make cycling easier regardless of the speed of the motor traffic.

thdave

This is really ideal, as you have a shortcut and a longer, prettier route that gives you more exercize.

I go the longer route when the weather's nice and I'm in the mood--about half the time. I always enjoy it.

ghettocruiser

That Reaper has a pretty nice fork.