Originally Posted by
alan s
You're right. They're called trails around here: Mount Vernon Trail, Custis Trail, Capital Crescent Trail, Four Mile Run Trail, etc. All are used heavily by bikes, runners and walkers day and night. The alternatives are not nearly as safe, but you already knew that, having ridden in the DC area.
If you are worried about how your lights affect other trail users as Darth Lefty stated in post 9, there are always
nonbike path alternatives for night time use. I don't blind bike path users at night while running 3 very bright lights by not riding bike paths at night. I avoid using bike paths at night because 1) I don't want to be
that jerk cyclists and 2) most paths around me aren't open after sunset.
The paths are patrolled and nothing slows down your commute like being stopped and explaining to the police why you are on a closed path. Checking your ID, checking you background and writing a summons can take an hour or more. I'd rather get home.