Is it weird to ride just on trails?
09-23-15, 07:14 AM
#51
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Orlando, Florida area
Posts: 139
Bikes: Trek Domane 4.3
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
I ride bike paths because the roads where I live are just too dangerous. The biggest problem with drivers in cars these days is most aren't even paying attention to what they are doing or where they are going. I see so many drivers with their eyes glued to their cell phones. I usually ride to the trail and the 1 mile ride to the trail is the scariest part of my ride. I always make sure I make eye contact with drivers at intersections and even then I don't trust them. I've almost been taken out a few times by a driver not paying attention or being in a big hurry to get to the next traffic light.
09-23-15, 07:16 AM
#52
Tortoise Wins by a Hare!
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Looney Tunes, IL
Posts: 7,398
Bikes: Wabi Special FG, Raleigh Roper, Nashbar AL-1, Miyata One Hundred, '70 Schwinn Lemonator and More!!
Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1549 Post(s)
Liked 941 Times
in
504 Posts
What would your idiot 17 year old self have done when confronted with a highly visible cyclist riding in the lane? Seen and avoided them, is my guess. Just like all the other drivers do.
I know several people who have been killed or badly hurt while driving/riding in cars. Yet most not only consider driving plenty safe, but seldom give a second thought to the risks. But ride a bike in traffic and... Oh my God!
It truly is an irrational fear. Especially when you ride properly.
09-23-15, 08:43 AM
#53
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: northern Deep South
Posts: 8,888
Bikes: Fuji Touring, Novara Randonee
Mentioned: 36 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2589 Post(s)
Liked 1,920 Times
in
1,204 Posts
Those roads they show on TV commercials for cars, the ones with spectacular views? You don't ever ride them, do you? Don't you know they have much higher accident rates than freeways and interstates? Motorized vechicle drivers should stick to interstates as much as possible if they want to stay safe, because they are engineered to be "safe."
Either that attitude towards driving your SUV, or trails only for a bicycle, is going to miss some magnificent experiences. I pity the driver or cyclist that adopts either.
Either that attitude towards driving your SUV, or trails only for a bicycle, is going to miss some magnificent experiences. I pity the driver or cyclist that adopts either.
09-23-15, 09:13 AM
#54
Lanterne Rogue
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Florida
Posts: 60
Bikes: '02 Bianchi Strada, '01 Specialized Rockhopper, '02 Specialized Sirrus A1 Pro, 70's Fuji road bike, '15 Diamondback Apex Elite
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
**** a bunch of trails and paths, I have a right to be on the road and I exercise that right vigorously. The only purpose paths serve is to separate you from your rights under the guise of safety and well meaning.
09-23-15, 09:28 AM
#55
Senior Member
Unless its a nice MUP by the water, with trees, no cars and goes right to where you need to. Oh, ^^^ FL, yikes.
09-23-15, 09:31 AM
#56
Senior Member
If riding only in trails can get you everywhere you ever want to go, then that's ok as long as you keep on your bike and minimize your use of the car. But at some point as you gain confidence, you'll find the limitation and want to expand into the street.
Back when Rob Ford was still the Mayor of Toronto, he was a real anti-cyclist who had bike lanes removed but proposed to expand bike trails. There are many many places one can't get to efficiently by using trails alone. Trails aren't maintained in the winter. Trails are full of recreational cyclists and pedestrians. There are signs on trails telling you to get on and off your bike. How many motorists will get peeved if there are signs telling them to push their cars? And lastly, how would you get to the trails, drive? Would anybody take the bus to get to their car?
Back when Rob Ford was still the Mayor of Toronto, he was a real anti-cyclist who had bike lanes removed but proposed to expand bike trails. There are many many places one can't get to efficiently by using trails alone. Trails aren't maintained in the winter. Trails are full of recreational cyclists and pedestrians. There are signs on trails telling you to get on and off your bike. How many motorists will get peeved if there are signs telling them to push their cars? And lastly, how would you get to the trails, drive? Would anybody take the bus to get to their car?
09-23-15, 09:34 AM
#57
Lanterne Rogue
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Florida
Posts: 60
Bikes: '02 Bianchi Strada, '01 Specialized Rockhopper, '02 Specialized Sirrus A1 Pro, 70's Fuji road bike, '15 Diamondback Apex Elite
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
09-23-15, 09:36 AM
#58
Senior Member
Those roads they show on TV commercials for cars, the ones with spectacular views? You don't ever ride them, do you? Don't you know they have much higher accident rates than freeways and interstates? Motorized vechicle drivers should stick to interstates as much as possible if they want to stay safe, because they are engineered to be "safe."
Either that attitude towards driving your SUV, or trails only for a bicycle, is going to miss some magnificent experiences. I pity the driver or cyclist that adopts either.
Either that attitude towards driving your SUV, or trails only for a bicycle, is going to miss some magnificent experiences. I pity the driver or cyclist that adopts either.
09-23-15, 09:44 AM
#59
Senior Member
I hear bad stuff, huge elderly population with bad drivers ,it's flat( no real mountain biking) and always hot, and the Gators will jump out of the trees to drag you off your bike and eat you 
I'm from MA so forgive me.
I'm from MA so forgive me.
09-23-15, 09:55 AM
#60
Lanterne Rogue
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Florida
Posts: 60
Bikes: '02 Bianchi Strada, '01 Specialized Rockhopper, '02 Specialized Sirrus A1 Pro, 70's Fuji road bike, '15 Diamondback Apex Elite
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
It's all exaggerated, heck I even felt a hint of fall while riding this morning.
09-23-15, 10:30 AM
#61
just another gosling
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Everett, WA
Posts: 19,516
Bikes: CoMo Speedster 2003, Trek 5200, CAAD 9, Fred 2004
Mentioned: 115 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3878 Post(s)
Liked 1,930 Times
in
1,377 Posts
Thanks for the reply. But that is scary that your wife got hit by a truck. How bad was the injury? And in your opinion how fast do cars have to be going on the average to kill you? You are right though about A-holes on the paths. Sometimes they won't be looking or won't even move when you shout. I have no idea how some people could act so surprised to see a biker pass them, when they are everywhere, it blows me away. Even when I used to jog on trails before ever bike riding, I'd always make sure to give people space.
One of my biggest fear is going downhill and then a big vehicle turning into you because they didn't see you. I was reading this article about a cyclists who got killed in my area just because the driver turned and wasn't looking.
I do agree with you that you might even have a bigger chance to get hurt on a MUP. But I'm not so sure that the fatality rate is higher, that would be pretty unbelievable. But yes, there are so many people on these paths that act so clueless. And I don't get how parents can leave their little kids on these paths without being concerned. That's how I crashed into a 5 year old girl before. It was partially because of the narrow and cracked surface, but also because it was probably her first time riding.
Lastly, I'm not quite sure where I should ride. I have this book, but I've looked up a lot of the routes and some of these streets are pretty busy. I guess I can start off riding with a group though like you suggested. There's some apprehension. I've read opinions of non bikers, and a lot of these drivers say that bikers annoy them.
One of my biggest fear is going downhill and then a big vehicle turning into you because they didn't see you. I was reading this article about a cyclists who got killed in my area just because the driver turned and wasn't looking.
I do agree with you that you might even have a bigger chance to get hurt on a MUP. But I'm not so sure that the fatality rate is higher, that would be pretty unbelievable. But yes, there are so many people on these paths that act so clueless. And I don't get how parents can leave their little kids on these paths without being concerned. That's how I crashed into a 5 year old girl before. It was partially because of the narrow and cracked surface, but also because it was probably her first time riding.
Lastly, I'm not quite sure where I should ride. I have this book, but I've looked up a lot of the routes and some of these streets are pretty busy. I guess I can start off riding with a group though like you suggested. There's some apprehension. I've read opinions of non bikers, and a lot of these drivers say that bikers annoy them.
Yes, ride with a group. No, the fatality rate is lower for MUPs, but the injury rate is higher.
People do get hurt riding bikes on the street. It happens. But people get hurt driving cars, too. 30,0000-50,000 people die in auto accidents every year in the US. Yet you're fine getting into a car? It's a balance thing. What are you going to die of? Something. If you ride, your chance of dying early either from a bike accident or of a physical illness is demonstrably lower. So in a way, it's actually safer to ride than not to ride.
Things not to do: descend fast where visibility into cross streets and driveways is limited. Just like riding a motorcycle, you assume that you're unseen unless you make eye contact. Safety is IMO greater on a bike than a motorcycle because speeds are lower.
Yes, motorists get POed at cyclists. They seem to think that every second that they are held up by a cyclist is a second that is directly subtracted from their lifespan. So what?
09-23-15, 01:18 PM
#63
Full Member
Thread Starter
In your opinion, what are the odds of dying or getting in a life threatening injury if you do everything correct all the time?
09-23-15, 01:42 PM
#64
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Posts: 40,865
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
Mentioned: 68 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2952 Post(s)
Liked 3,106 Times
in
1,417 Posts
As soon as they build a dedicated bike path between my house and my office, I'll ride it. Until then, I'll ride the network of shared use paths, i.e. the streets, that already exist.
09-23-15, 01:55 PM
#65
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Raleigh, NC
Posts: 1,892
Bikes: Fuji Sportif 1.3 C - 2014
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
GH
09-23-15, 04:52 PM
#66
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 7,384
Mentioned: 49 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 800 Post(s)
Liked 218 Times
in
171 Posts
If riding only in trails can get you everywhere you ever want to go, then that's ok as long as you keep on your bike and minimize your use of the car. But at some point as you gain confidence, you'll find the limitation and want to expand into the street.
Back when Rob Ford was still the Mayor of Toronto, he was a real anti-cyclist who had bike lanes removed but proposed to expand bike trails. There are many many places one can't get to efficiently by using trails alone. Trails aren't maintained in the winter. Trails are full of recreational cyclists and pedestrians. There are signs on trails telling you to get on and off your bike. How many motorists will get peeved if there are signs telling them to push their cars? And lastly, how would you get to the trails, drive? Would anybody take the bus to get to their car?
Back when Rob Ford was still the Mayor of Toronto, he was a real anti-cyclist who had bike lanes removed but proposed to expand bike trails. There are many many places one can't get to efficiently by using trails alone. Trails aren't maintained in the winter. Trails are full of recreational cyclists and pedestrians. There are signs on trails telling you to get on and off your bike. How many motorists will get peeved if there are signs telling them to push their cars? And lastly, how would you get to the trails, drive? Would anybody take the bus to get to their car?
…For me, cycling is a lifestyle for transportation and fitness, so road riding is necessary (and enjoyable)...
… Last week I visited the family in Macomb County [Michigan]. IMO, that is some of the nastiest road riding I have ever encountered. The main roads, to get anywhere, are six lane concrete slabs with bumps about every 20 feet, and many cracks and potholes especially on the right, with no shoulders, and heavy, zooming traffic with little patience for (slow) cyclists. Sidewalks alongside are frequently discontinuous, and often non-existent.
Even as an experienced urban commuter, I will often flee to the sidewalks, little used by pedestrians out in suburbia….
Now actually those suburban counties like Macomb and Oakland have developed some nice, long MUPS, but the prevailing attitude seems to be that bikes are not ”real” transportation, so one usually drives to a MUP to ride the bike; and the MUPS are though rural countryside, with no defined, or non-recreational destination….
Even as an experienced urban commuter, I will often flee to the sidewalks, little used by pedestrians out in suburbia….
Now actually those suburban counties like Macomb and Oakland have developed some nice, long MUPS, but the prevailing attitude seems to be that bikes are not ”real” transportation, so one usually drives to a MUP to ride the bike; and the MUPS are though rural countryside, with no defined, or non-recreational destination….
Originally Posted by Jim from Boston
Originally Posted by Boston Globe
But Ford reserves special venom for the menace called the bicycle. He is perhaps the most antibike politician in the world. In 2007, he told the Toronto City Council that roads were designed for only buses, cars, and trucks. If cyclists got killed on roads, “it’s their own fault at the end of the day,” he said. He compared biking on a city street to swimming with sharks—“sooner or later you’re going to get bitten.” He once summarized his views in City Hall succinctly: “Cyclists are a pain in the ass to the motorists.”…
THERE’S AN ELEMENT of demographic realpolitik to the conservative antipathy to bikes. Cyclists—and especially bike commuters—are statistically more likely to be city residents, and thus more liberal than those living in suburban and rural areas.
But as the commentators’ language suggests, the bike fight is really just another proxy battle in the American culture wars...
THERE’S AN ELEMENT of demographic realpolitik to the conservative antipathy to bikes. Cyclists—and especially bike commuters—are statistically more likely to be city residents, and thus more liberal than those living in suburban and rural areas.
But as the commentators’ language suggests, the bike fight is really just another proxy battle in the American culture wars...
Originally Posted by Jim from Boston
… We have had many pleasant cycling experiences in Ontario, as well as the Maritime Provinces. While in Toronto, I met a cycling advocate, and he asked me how Boston compared, and I had to admit urban riding in TO was a lot scarier than in Boston.
In comparing notes, he blamed it on the Mayor, who "drove an SUV," while I praised our mayor for his commitment to cycling, and even hired a former Olympic cyclist as a "Bicycling Czar." It seems our Hubways Bike-Share system is doing well, while your Bixi Bikes is having some difficulty. Nonetheless, I was impressed with the number of cyclists I saw....
In comparing notes, he blamed it on the Mayor, who "drove an SUV," while I praised our mayor for his commitment to cycling, and even hired a former Olympic cyclist as a "Bicycling Czar." It seems our Hubways Bike-Share system is doing well, while your Bixi Bikes is having some difficulty. Nonetheless, I was impressed with the number of cyclists I saw....
09-23-15, 04:56 PM
#67
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Nashville TN
Posts: 180
Bikes: 2011 Giant Seek 1, 1995 Mongoose Alta, 2002 Raleigh M80, 2014 Scott Metrix 40, 1999 Trek 820
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Bingo. Trails are not definitively safer than roadways. Best time to MUP it is when hot/cold weather keeps all the recreational users at home/in a car. Worst time to use it is right after college kids return for the fall and when the weather turns agreeable.
Roads have defined boundaries which the vast majority of drivers respect. The presence of enforced law (albeit lacking many times) also helps. MUPs do not have this...people just generally do whatever they want, and there are not license plate numbers to report when someone commits an egregious act.
Roads have defined boundaries which the vast majority of drivers respect. The presence of enforced law (albeit lacking many times) also helps. MUPs do not have this...people just generally do whatever they want, and there are not license plate numbers to report when someone commits an egregious act.
Not trying to hijack it just touched a nerve!
09-23-15, 05:03 PM
#68
got the climbing bug
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: San Diego
Posts: 10,204
Bikes: one for everything
Mentioned: 82 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 632 Post(s)
Liked 908 Times
in
273 Posts
you are missing so many awesome places to ride or view at a slower pace if you just stay on the trails.
Paved Trails/MUPs scare me. some much "other" crap is going on that you have no control of. dogs, kids, walkers, runners on the wrong side (usually with both ear buds in), passing, skateboards, rollerskater, bums, crack head, gangsters looking for easy snag.
Paved Trails/MUPs scare me. some much "other" crap is going on that you have no control of. dogs, kids, walkers, runners on the wrong side (usually with both ear buds in), passing, skateboards, rollerskater, bums, crack head, gangsters looking for easy snag.
__________________
Rule #10 // It never gets easier, you just go faster.
Rule #10 // It never gets easier, you just go faster.
09-23-15, 05:05 PM
#69
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Nashville TN
Posts: 180
Bikes: 2011 Giant Seek 1, 1995 Mongoose Alta, 2002 Raleigh M80, 2014 Scott Metrix 40, 1999 Trek 820
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
you are missing so many awesome places to ride or view at a slower pace if you just stay on the trails.
Paved Trails/MUPs scare me. some much "other" crap is going on that you have no control of. dogs, kids, walkers, runners on the wrong side (usually with both ear buds in), passing, skateboards, rollerskater, bums, crack head, gangsters looking for easy snag.
Paved Trails/MUPs scare me. some much "other" crap is going on that you have no control of. dogs, kids, walkers, runners on the wrong side (usually with both ear buds in), passing, skateboards, rollerskater, bums, crack head, gangsters looking for easy snag.
09-23-15, 07:08 PM
#71
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Colorado
Posts: 1,719
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 258 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I'm a recreational/fitness cyclist. Live in suburban edging into rural with sane local traffic and a great, paved trail system. I ride +/-10 miles a day on the trails, and/or local streets as necessary. Comfortable and can get anywhere I need/want to go with no hassle. Life is stress free and good.
09-24-15, 01:04 AM
#72
Banned.
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Uncertain
Posts: 8,651
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
It isn't a matter of opinion, the government collects data. Look it up. In the UK there is one cycling death for every 28 million miles cycled. Serious (but not necessarily life-threatening) injuries happen about every 500,000 miles. US figures are worse, I believe, but not dramatically so. Google for them.
09-24-15, 04:43 AM
#73
Full Member
Thread Starter
It isn't a matter of opinion, the government collects data. Look it up. In the UK there is one cycling death for every 28 million miles cycled. Serious (but not necessarily life-threatening) injuries happen about every 500,000 miles. US figures are worse, I believe, but not dramatically so. Google for them.
09-24-15, 04:45 AM
#75
Full Member
Thread Starter
you are missing so many awesome places to ride or view at a slower pace if you just stay on the trails.
Paved Trails/MUPs scare me. some much "other" crap is going on that you have no control of. dogs, kids, walkers, runners on the wrong side (usually with both ear buds in), passing, skateboards, rollerskater, bums, crack head, gangsters looking for easy snag.
Paved Trails/MUPs scare me. some much "other" crap is going on that you have no control of. dogs, kids, walkers, runners on the wrong side (usually with both ear buds in), passing, skateboards, rollerskater, bums, crack head, gangsters looking for easy snag.
