dfw

I thought I would relate this experience so others can benefit from it. When I started riding, like others, I started out on bike trails. I quickly realized how hazardous they are with all of the ped traffic, so I naturally graduated to strictly road biking.

Last weekend I plotted out a new route for my exercise trips. I knew of a bike path that is frequented almost exclusively by roadies and very rarely has a ped on it. So I incorporated 5 miles of this path into a 12 mile loop, thinking it was a good idea. The path follows a major roadway, but is well separated from it. While rolling down the path, I came to a spot which intersects a Wal-Mart access road. A woman in a jeep stopped short of the bike path waiting for a right hand turn. She looked my direction and we made eye contact. So I'm thinking I'm good and proceeded across the intersection much slower than my normal cruising speed. Just at that point she guns it with me right in front of her. She did manage to stop, but we came about as close as you can get without making contact.

I looked at her and noticed she was talking on her cell phone (typical Texas driver behavior). At first I was pretty pissed, but in retrospect I can't say I really blame her. When you're making a right turn onto a roadway at a T in the road, who looks to the right? I suppose I just as easily could have been a pedestrian, and she had an obligation to look right, but I'm not sure if I would have not made the same mistake given the same circumstances.

I just wanted to pass this story along to reinforce the belief you are not safer on a bike path. I'm still going to keep my same 12 mile loop because I really like it, but I'm going to be a lot more cautious of those types of intersections.

gattm99

I tend to dislike most bike paths as well. The ones that are basically a road for bikes that don't mirror roads are fine. It's when the bike path runs right beside a road that irks me it just turns into a dangerous sidewalk.

FLBandit

We have a 30 mile trail near home that I use alot. Once about 3 or 4 miles out all the ped traffic is gone, so the path is great for cyclists. HOWEVER, there are a few spots where the trail crosses a road. Cyclists tend to blow through these areas with only a halfhearted look. Eventually someone is going to get hurt doing that.

veneer

we have a bike path near where i live that runs along the side of a freeway. except the end leads to a big intersection where an entrance to the freeway is there.

i normally just turn around and ride back and forth.. and through the nearby neighborhoods.

FarHorizon

Yeah, path/road transitions are hazardous, and additionally, the bike paths are never maintained & develop potholes/ripples worse than the city street! I must ride slower (and absorb more punishment) on the bike path parts of my route than the road parts.

spinnaker

I can never understand as to why they place a stop sign on the path but none for the car traffic that crosses the path. Seems to me it would be safest with them all around.

alanbikehouston

I don't see why you are complaining about the bike path. Your problem was with that driver. If you had been sharing a road with "Miss Motorist" she would get plenty more chances to kill you. She can strike you from behind, or slide into from your left side, or pass you on the right, and then turn right into your path. You could met Ms. Motorist at an intersection where you are going straight and she waits until you are in the middle of the intersection and then turns directly at you while hitting the gas...

In contrast, on a well-designed and well-maintained bike path, you deal with motorists at only ONE location. When the bike path crosses a roadway, you must deal with motorists. I watch the "Be Like Lance" guys on the bike path. They ride by me at 25 mph. When the path crosses a four lane road, they often just continue riding 25 mph. They seem to think "Well, I'm on a bike path, and I'm rolling fast, so when I cross that four lane, those motorists better get out of my way". Strange logic, given the "slight" weight advantage the motorists possess.

In contrast, I STOP when the bike path crosses the four lane road. I'm not crossing until it is totally and completely safe...which means until every motorist has finished doing whatever they are gonna do...their vehicle weighs several tons...they are the "gorilla on the bus".

The problem with bike paths in Houston is not motorists. They don't use the paths. It is the design and upkeep. Too narrow. Shared with joggers, walkers, and roller skaters. Poorly maintained (two inch wide splits in the asphalt everywhere).

It would be easy and cheap (compared to the cost of more roads or more train tracks) to build a smooth, "crack free" bikeway that is about ten feet wide and reserved for the exclusive use of bikes. But, Houston "leaders" view bikes as "toys", not as a form of transportation. A city that puts its school children in house trailers instead of schools in not likely to spend much to help cyclists enjoy their "toys".

But, when you come across a NICE bike path, and the 100 degree temperatures send the joggers, walkers and skaters elsewhere, and you are just rolling along...urban biking can be SO nice.

dfw

My point was exactly the same as what you said. A bike path doesn't insulate you from hazards as some people might believe, and in some special circumstances the hazards are greater. I'm well aware of the hazards on the roads and I've had close calls there too.

my58vw

I love our bike paths... they go on forever!

It was kind of funny, they had a flagman on ours today

galen_52657

The 'bike paths' we have around here are mostly multi-use converted rail beds. These paths are fine for noodling along slowly and dodging moms with strollers. They have stop signs (path users have to stop) at intersections. So, I would suggest stopping to let the cars go by.

I only use one that is out near where I ride frequently when my girlfriend is kvetching about climbing any more hills on the tandem. Otherwise, I use the roads.

UmneyDurak

I was hit by a car almost the same way. I was using pedastrian crossing to cross the street, was just starting out. This lady in a beattle was making a right turn, and hit me. Luckily I was being able to jump of my bike and use the hood of her car to push of, I didn't have clipless pedals a that time. When she pulled over and got out, she tried to justify that I was on my bike and I should have walked with it. I pointed out that I'm even less visible of my bike, so if she didn't see me on my bike what are the chance of her seeing me of it.
From now on I cross the intersection straight, then cross again going left. There is a left turn lane, but it's one of those where you have to let the oncomming traffic pass before turning left. I'm not really that suicidal to try it, with the way people drive around here.

biketownblogger

Our bike paths are okay. I can ride from Milwaukee to Chicago on the path if I want. I do stop at the roads, no sense in being foolish. There are even a few places where long rural driveways cross and we have to watch. The only bummer it's a converted railroad track and is covered in crushed limestone, but in pretty good/level shape. Fine for a 20 miler, but after that my arms are killing me. I plan to do about 60-70 miles on it later in the summer, and am most concerned about my arms, not my legs. It can be crowded in the city, but I ride out in to the county between cities, and only pass a few people depending on the time of day. Early am's are a lot of runners, and evenings are kids and liesure walkers. Now...if it were paved from Milwaukee to Chicago, that would be sweet!

ollo_ollo

Ours are pretty good if you go out early enough to beat the crowds of walkers. Biggest problem at the bikepath/roadway intersections is the super cautious & polite drivers who stop for bike traffic when we cyclists are supposed to stop for them. I always wait them out & wave them on since the traffic from the other direction won't necessarily stop & wait while I cross.

cc_rider

Don't blame your problem on the path. The incident you described could have happened anywhere, anytime, at any intersection or driveway. Just because you are on a bike path doesn't mean that you are safe and can stop watching out for traffic.

You don't have to use the bike path if you don't want to. That‘s your choice. But if there were no paths, there would be no choice. I would rather have more paths and more choices.

Around here there is an extensive system of MUP's. Many are very good and I ride them when I choose to. Some are not as good and I ride cautiously or avoid them. When I'm on a path, I don't take safety for granted. Every road crossing is potential hazzard. Every slower trail user, bike or pedestrian, must be passed safely. What I do like is about MUP's are the trees, the wildlife, less traffic noise, being away from cars, and the relaxation of forcing myself into a slower pace. If I want speed and the trail is crowded, I go to the road. My choice.

operator

My firm belief is that bike path is for noobs. They are for pedestrians and runner/joggers, not for 30kph 2 wheeled vehicles. If you want to ride, ride on the road. Don't terrorize the people on the paths.

TexasGuy

Is it weird to love riding beside traffic on the shoulder, hearing them wizzing by in their Mustangs, Honda Civics, Nissans, Hummers, F350's and beatup pickup trucks?

Camel

It's the speed differential between riding vs walking which changes the "visibilty" factor.

As an example: Consider while YOU are driving, if a cyclist were cycling the wrong way at EVERY turn you make. Even at 8-10MPH, would YOU see them? Compare that speed with walking speed (?3MPH), would YOU then be able to see them.

One of the primary reasons why I dismount and walk, if I'm crossing a roadway at a crosswalk (occurs when I ride multi-use paths).

SnowyL

You must be talking about Trinity Trails in FW? I never ride there, it's too congested with peds & really not safe. I love Dutch Branch Park at Benbrook Lake.