Roadie Commuters
 

Why do Roadie Commuters seem to have to take the added risks of always riding on the road despite there being a perfectly good and lovely to ride on bike path/MUP next to them?

I've noticed this a lot recently. There are two MUP's which are really fine to ride on on my route in to work both of which are right next to busy roads. Both MUP's can be used at speed as during rushhour as other times there is hardly anyone on them.

The stretch of road next to one is horrendous and fast and you have only a tiny amount of space at the side of the road to ride in, this space has around 20 manhole covers along it. Taking the lane is impossible due to the speed of the traffic and I've not seen even the most courageous VC roadie manage it yet in 3 years. I use that road very rarely and only if the traffic is not too heavy and I'm very late for work, it saves you about 5 minutes. I see roadie commuters and only roadie commuters use it daily why take the risk? By leaving 5 minutes earlier you can have a stress free and lovely to look at ride on the MUP?

A couple of months ago I was on another MUP which runs next to the State Highway, it was gusting up to gale forces and the wind was moving me and I'm not light with around 10kgs of shopping on my back, around the bike path. Up ahead I spot a roadie commuter on the side of the highway being pushed into the traffic by the wind! I see her regularly, she knows about the MUP because it known by everyone and is well signposted. There is nowhere else to go, both the MUP and the highway go to the same place.

Why do Roadie Commuters have to use the road all the time? It defies logic and common sense.

Sidewalks are generally for pedestrian use only and illegal for vehicle usage including bicycles.

OP said nothing about sidewalks.

Who mentioned sidewalks?

Jonah, roadie commuters ride on the road because that's what they do. Unless you're able to claim them on your taxes, it's really not up to you if it's logical or commonsense to do so. I'm serious here.

If that's how they define themselves as cyclists, that's their choice. You want to ride the MUP in that area? Go for it -- if I lived where you do, we'd likely see each other on the MUP! I happen to agree with using that option -- for ME, it's the better choice. For them, it obviously isn't.

Pretty much, it's an extension of why we all ride; we're not taking the 'easy way' by pedaling wherever we go. They are not even taking the easy way available to the hard way practitioners!

Don't shake your head, or condemn them as fools -- cheer them on! They're livin' large! I'll use myself as an example -- there's not a damned thing in my area that requires a 6-inch-travel MTB! But that's my chosen commuter -- because I never know when I'll just give in to the impulse to hit the dirt, drop off something, just get funky. Once, I hit a short, steep rise in the ground that was half-washed-out by rain, the top of which was a narrow gap in an 8-inch-high curb in an apartment complex parking lot, just off the MUP. I hit the rise wrong, and missed the gap, without a chance to pull up the front wheel. BUMP! Right over it, barely felt the thing. My hardtail would have faceplanted me on the curb itself.

Live and let live, dude.

I am more of a commuter than a roadie, but I ride very aggressively. Not dangerously, mind you, but aggressively. When I find myself on the MUPs, it is a frustrating experience. No one really pays attention because they're too busy fiddling with their phone or iPod (the foot traffic). I cannot ride as fast on a MUP, and I like to go fast.

For me, riding on a MUP defies common sense because it does not suit my style of riding.

Around here the MUP increases my commute time 50% - like all MUPS it snakes beside a river or lake and is horribly washed out in areas(roads are in better shape), it is also indirect with many twisting and blind corners(20km/h speed limit). Too many dogs and pedestrians doing their own thing... so you're slowing to a crawl every km at least to deal with that.

Nobody pays attention to your bell...

Same.

Good answer.

You'd actually like the MUP I'm talking about as they are hardly ever used, I might see one other ped or cyclist on the first, and maybe 2 or 3 people on the second and you can go as fast as you want without the added hassle of roadkill, glass and manhole covers and car side mirrors brushing your arm as the car goes past.

I guess I understand, sort of.

I do spend time on MUPs, but it is when I don't have to be anywhere anytime soon. Weekend rides with the daughter, taking the MTB for a spin, riding to the coffee shop. There are good reasons for it, just not commuting in my world.

A lot of MUPs could use more frequent access points, too. A lot of the time I'll be on the road and trying to decide whether to stay or take the path I've just spotted (sizing up the traffic, route, pavement quality, etc.) but I can't get onto it without stopping because every time there's a break in the curb there's motor traffic in the way. After missing a couple entries staying on the road can simply be more direct.

i ride on the road because i can go faster than i can on the MUP. i'd rather take my chance with cars than the speedwalkers with their headphones turned all the way up.

I don't know what an "MUP" is...

But where I live, there are bike paths that are made from cement, like a sidewalk. I hate the seams in sidewalks, so I avoid them.
There are also paved paths, but they are generally narrow, and encountering runners; roller bladers; and walkers is more trouble than they're worth (to me)
Or, they wind around ponds, or through parks, etc. which lengthen the distance I'd have to ride.

I stick to the roads because I'm more at ease riding in traffic than a lot of other people are. Plus it's usually the shortest route to whatever destination I have.

I ride smart; defensively; a straight line; I signal my intentions clearly; I ride with traffic; at night, I'm well lit up.

This is the problem with motorists on my 1:00 a.m. return commute :D

At 15+ MPH, MUPS get downright dangerous. The pylons they put up at every intersection to prevent cars (i guess) from getting in become dodge hazards. Not to mention that at every block it puts you in a crosswalk. Not to mention that at those crosswalks, cars aren't looking down the MUP to see if any 20 MPH vehicles are coming at them. Not to mention that the average walker freaks out when you alert them, usually diving in your way by accident instead of away from you.

Roadies ride on the road because they're roadies. Not all, but most MUP's are much more hassle than traffic is; if you want to ride fast then the MUP is not the place for it.

I find it a lot more comfortable to ride on the road. I hate sidewalks in my area because they're not kept, they have seams every few feet, and your constantly riding up and down the bumps for parking lot entrances. The only "MUP" around here is are paved rail-to-trail paths. Most of them are hardly used but fairly new, so I take those when I can. If I had to choose though, I would take road all the way. Personally, it's safer to be in traffic where people are aware of your presence and actively working to safely (most of the time) pass you than trying to dodge people and obstructions on a path or sidewalk.

How so?

They are using a vehicle and legally entitled to use the road.

I have to ask, but all these complaints about inattentive people on the MUPs, (Multi Use Paths) you are encountering them during a rush hour commute? Around me, they're used mostly on weekends, and when they're used during the week, it is not first thing in the morning.

The crosswalk complaint is valid.

The one about it taking longer, I'm not so sure about. If we were that worried about time, why are we choosing to go 10-25 mph instead of 55 mph?

whups... I asked what a "MUP" was... and then found it in the post above me...

When I'm going to work. I'm trying not to sweat my balls off... So I ride at a not so slow but steady pace. As a part time "Roadie," All I'm thinking about is simply going fast. Making that bike move as fast as I possibly can. And I'm always thinking about how I can use the decend to appropriately attack the next hill. There is a lot of concentration involved sometimes... and I can see how those walkers/joggers/rollerbladers can annoy roadies.

i ride on the road and often wish there was a path to use instead. although i have ridden paths before and sometimes people are walking and using the full width of the path do not hear you as you approach, even after saying "on your left" slowing down and saying it a bit louder and then almost stopping and by this time you are screaming and they look at you like you are a jerk.

Yeah, I wear my work clothes and "soft pedal" it a bit. But still, I want to go as fast as I can, as efficiently as I can, without smelling like a gorilla when I get to work.

Although, that said, my boss gave me the green light to leave a couple of changes of work clothes there, so I can wear more "cycling appropriate" clothing while riding. Personally, I think she just wants to see me in my shorts... hehehe!

Because he or she wants to.

No one here goes near 55 mph in their rush hour commute. I get to school as fast as when I drove, sometimes faster, and I get to class faster because I don't need to find a parking spot.