ZIPP2001

The heat and humidity is finally moving in and that means the bike path will be pretty empty during the hottest part of the day. I seldom visit the bike path unless I know it's got light traffic on it. Granted we only have 6 miles of paths but it is nice to get off the road and away from the cars for a little bit.

Do you find less traffic on the bike paths when it's hotter in your area ?

Ross520

Absolutely. Only diehard runners/cyclists are out when it's that hot. All the casual users typically stay inside when it hits over 90 degrees, however, that means it's one, hot ride!

So, for me, personally, while it is nice having my
​​own personal track in all sense, the heat (I live in AZ) can negate the emptiness.

I usually wake up a 4am and just hit the regular road.

ofajen

I did a ride today over the lunch hour and it was looking like it was about to (and actually did) rain. Understandably, very few pedestrians on the trail, despite it being cloudy and not too hot. Made for a fun if messy ride.

Otto

canklecat

Probably depends on the area. If Texans stopped riding when it got hot and/or humid, we'd only ride for a few intermittent weeks between September and April.

It's been in the 90s here all June and the MUP is at least as crowded as usual.

But I rarely ride the MUP so it doesn't affect me. I prefer the open rural routes and nearby access roads with little or no traffic. I still see the same handful of joggers, walkers and other cyclists as usual.

shelbyfv

[QUOTE=ZIPP2001;21543007]Do you find less traffic on the bike paths when it's hotter in your area ?QUOTE] Also less when it's below freezing! Fair weather MUPers

u235

Nothing clears a MUP faster than a little rain. Not sure where people go so quick but they seem to instamtly vanish and usually don't come back for a while. I ride right on through and enjoy the the cool down and the open. My routine routes are rural, I see maybe one biker per month, zero walkers and joggers and maybe 10-15 cars pass me in 30-40ish miles

ZIPP2001

I very seldom use the bike path but it got me off the road we call the raceway for 6 miles. This week alone the raceway has had three car accidents, so much prefer staying away from the drivers for a bit.

GeneO 

Only at night Way too much during the day. And there are hundreds of miles of connected paths around here.

ZIPP2001

Now that must be fun, and I wish we had that many miles of paths. I do have a hundred+ miles of dirt trails right in my backyard that I take the trail bikes on.

coffeesnob

its hard telling in covid 19 environment. I am seeing a lot more what I believe are new riders. One sure give away is a clean sparkly bike with no helmet on riders head. So I assume the bike path will still be crowded even during these hotter months with new riders.

Steve B.

One of the more popular local MUT's is the path to Jones Beach State Park on the south shore of Long Island.

We thought "maybe" not going to be too crowded today, but there's just such a huge increase in cyclists these past 3 months, that it was just mobbed by 10AM this morning. I was in a small group and we had to slow to a crawl a LOT as we worked our way around cyclists and runners. WAY too many people for my taste. Maybe in October.

powermatt99

As Milwaukee reopens, it seems that a lot of COVID MUP-users are returning to other activities. Anything along Lake Michigan is still busy but the inland routes are clearing up.

Ilbiker

I don’t have bike paths, but the next best thing I guess - miles of lightly traveled country roads. Just waiting for my Domane to get finished so I can have a smoother ride.

cyclist2000

Lot more people on the MUPs around Omaha, NE. Lots of walkers with little kids on bikes, I had two little kids do U turns right in front of me in the last two days. Oh well, that's going to happen at least I didn't crash or run one over. When the heat picks up I'm going to start riding after lunch.

gios 

My route has bike lanes, 4 lanes for four wheelers (2 in each direction), and the bike lanes have lots of items that can do tire damage. I see broken glass, screws, nuts, bolts, lots of stuff to avoid. So I'm rarely within the bike lane. With covid19, street sweepers coming through seems to be suspended.

a_d_a_m

Definitely gets a little more sparse during the hotter days here on NE Ohio's trails, but I will always take excessive pedestrians over excessive temperature if given an option. I don't do well in the heat.

freeranger

The local mup near us is scenic, with 4 parks which connect, each with different characteristics. I usually ride them only during the week, and during hours when people are usually working. Guess I'm lucky as the heat doesn't bother me as much as it does some. I led a ride of 5 the other day, and people were commenting on how hot it had gotten. Was a 20 mile ride, felt like I could easily have done another 10 or so, even with the heat. Guess it depends down to how heat tolerant you are, as to when you're most likely to get a ride in.

southpier13

local path is festooned with deciduous trees, so once i ride the 3 miles to get there, it's a welcomed relief. usually MTW are busy, S being family day until about 2:00 pm. rest of the time it's mine.

of course on the shoulders of the seasons, it would be nice to have some sunlight to warm things up a tad!

ZIPP2001

On my ride today as I was heading back into town I hit the bike path again, and never saw anyone. But again the hottest part on the day and humidity is still high, just love it.

Kabuki12

Not doing bike paths here. No such thing as empty since the reopening in Southern California. I have been much happier being safe on the bike lanes, no more dog walkers with 15’ retractable leashes, runners in the middle of the path with ear buds, or walkers with strollers walking 2 or 3 abreast!

southpier13

does every "path" have direction signs regarding travel? my local posts at every point of entry (vehicular street intersection) and indicates walkers left facing bikes riding right.

and it's still a gymkhana complete cacophony of bells and shouts when there's more than 2 pedestrians & 2 bikes in proximity.

Paul Barnard

It doesn't really get hot here in the New Orleans area.

cabledawg

Part of my morning commute is on a MUP for about two miles and it's always empty that early in the morning. This weekend, however, my ride to the grocery store takes my another mile and half down the MUP and it was a little busier. Passed at least a dozen other cyclist, some newbies and some roadies in full kit. Coming home was about the same except it was mostly newbies and strollers then. But everyone seemed to be courteous and attentive to others on the path which always makes for a pleasant ride.

danlewis8

[QUOTE=GeneO;21543277]Only at night Way too much during the day. And there are hundreds of miles of connected paths around here.


Pretty awesome having it all to yourself

GeneO 

[QUOTE=danlewis8;21549096]Kind of creepy though!