shaun3000

The few times I've ridden the trails on the weekend, it's been a madhouse. However, during the week, especially in the middle of the day, it's pure heaven. There are hardly any people on the trail and if you do the whole thing, you only have a handful of street crossings. I love riding it rather than the road as I rarely have to stop and there is generally no one in the way.

That being said, I've had my fare share of experiences with other folks. Soccer games at both of the fields on the creek, slower folks taking up the whole trail, and of course the jocks who think they own the trail.

My favorite was when I was passing someone and another guy decides that it's the perfect time to pass me. Nevermind that I'm already in the middle and there's another group coming up pretty quick. Nearly had a wreck with that one. I was the bigger person and slowed down.

I also hate it when you come upon the barricades around WRL. The gap is really only wide enough for one bike to pass through at a time. I don't understand why everyone speeds up at those points. And I will NEVER understand why the jogger or walker who's ten feet away can't move over and let the much faster bike through. Maneuvering through the gap is much easier on foot than it is on two wheels.

And for all you naysayers regarding multi-use trails: The Dallas Veloway is designed to be a highway for folks commuting on their bikes more than they are for the person on a leisurely stroll. Obviously we need to share the road but why turn your nose up at a system designed around bicycles??

Here is a map of the system, it includes current and future trails, if you're curious:

10 Wheels

I don't have your problems. I ride on the roads.
61 miles Friday.

TexasKid

That's great if you have roads to ride. I have to put my bike in the car and drive 20 minutes to find a road like the one in your pic. There are few places in the Dallas city limits where you can ride without having a close call about every two minutes. I grew up riding a bike in Dallas and it's getting worse all the time.

TexasKid

Just another observation that I must comment on: I was out there today for about 3 hours. What a nice place to ride! based on what I saw today, I suspect the problems are caused by, in large part, by the Ricky Racer Speed finatic types on road bikes that think they're the only one's that matter on that trail. You know who you are! I think if you want to train for the TDF, find somewhere else to ride. There are too many people doing too many things at WRL, some don't know what "passing on your left" means. Anyone riding a bike fast there needs to slow down and be considerate of others - including other people on bikes. Just my $1 worth.

apacherider

No. The problems are caused by idiots who cannot follow the simple rules. There are signs all along the route telling people that they need to walk to the right, just like if they were driving a vehicle.

The lake trail system was purpose built for cycling. The trail behind the dam, built in 2003 is specifically built for cyclists only. Ped traffic is supposed to use the dam route. Without federal and state funding aimed at cycling none of the improvements would have been built.

I have never seen an experienced cyclist, what you call Ricky Racers, cause a wreck with a pedestrian. 90% of the accidents I have seen involve novice riders on Walmart bikes running into walls, fences, potholes. The other 10% are car wrecks.

The problem at the lake are drivers and walkers. Some drivers consider the cyclists a nuisance because they ride too slow, some walkers consider cyclists a nuisance because they ride too fast.

If you are too slow, get out of the way. How hard is that?

MMACH 5

That's exactly what the motorists around WRL (and everywhere else) say about cyclists.

TexasKid

Apacherider guy, You got a bad attitude and your view point is a little extreme. It ain't worth hurting someone out there, and when you say something like "only slowing down for animals and kids," you sound like a premadonna ricky racer redneck. People arn't perfect, and if you're in that environment, you have to be a little more forgiving of those people around you. It's common sense. Maybe you should stick to NW Hwy, Garland Rd, and Mockingbird. Guys like you give cyclists a bad image.

apacherider

Texaskid,

What are you my mother? From your post it sounds like you do not ride much out there. There are many professional cyclists and triathletes that train at and around White Rock Lake. Would you tell them to slow down too?

I have never even been in a wreck with another cyclist or mowed down a pedestrian.

I do not have any sympathy for some wheezing fat slob who spent all winter riding his couch covered in cheeto dust while I was out riding at the lake in the cold dark of winter. If that guy gets his feelings hurt because I make a snide remark about how he and his big BMI need to get out of the way, then so be it.

I say "On your left" to literally 95% of the people I pass. I might know 100 or more other people that use the lake, more runners than anything else. Many are my friends. Plus the current rotation of bike cops and the older retired Officer Skidmore. If I started doing daredevil riding out there(which I doubt anyone really does) I would not be welcome to ride there anymore.

Winter will be here before you know it. I'll have the lake all to myself. Nice and easy 28 minute laps.

I literally hate, with a passion, anyone that suggests cyclists are a problem at the lake. This is a concocted lie. Anyone of you who believes that is an idiot. Show me proof on paper, like an official police report, detailing problems with cyclists at the lake and I'll eat my hat.

pedaljeeps

I ride at the lake all the time…. Fast and slow, for years… I’ve never had a problem, never really see many angry users like is talked about here… I see 90% of the users sharing most of the time…

But yes I do see cyclist passing maybe when they should wait(me included, I’ve misjudged it, I try to be safe at all cost, but I’m not perfect) AND it goes for other users as well… I see groups of runners taking over the road, I see children running around with no parents watching them, I see the infrequent user that doesn’t have a clue, I see the new “exerciser” trying hard and etc… This is WRL and I share… I just take in the other 10% and smile, it is what it is. We need to all just get along and educate when possible.

Had a great ride tonight at WRL... was not so hot!!

pmsummer

There's a Bike/Ped Safety Task Force currently holding meetings to address the problems. Perry Skidmore and Chris Phelan are both members. Yes, fast-pack cyclists ARE a safety concern on the trail, and the task force has been tasked with addressing the problem.

The trail, with it narrow width (12 ft, with a 6 ft lane, is narrow) and mixed use, is not an appropriate place for peloton riding, nor is it an appropriate place for ANY riding at speeds above 15 mph. That type of training is not allowed on any similar trail in the US, not Millennial Park/Lake Front in Chicago, not Central Park in NYC, not Golden Gate Park in SF.

I liked it much better when East Lawther was available, and you NEVER had to get on the trail. But that's history.

I would suggest that cyclists who want a facility like that start working to get a 6-mile, 18-20 ft wide, bicycle road-course built out in the suburbs (much like Austin's Circle-C Ranch veloway). It would cost about $4-5 million to build, if the land was available. The handwriting is on the wall at WR Lake.

pmsummer

One option fast-training cyclists might consider is asking the Park Department to make East Lawther from Winfrey Point to Garland Road one-way southbound. Cyclists could ride counter-clockwise along East Lawther, Garland Road, Winstead/WR Trail/West Lawther/Mockingbird Lane. Of course, they'd have to stop at the East Lawther/Garland intersection to wait for a gap onto Garland Road.

But with priviledges come responsibilities.

pmsummer

I would disagree. Take the LAB Road 1 course to get your street skills honed (BikeDFW offers them). Then use the Dallas bike routes. Over 80% of the routes are on low volume local streets. Only curb-bunnies have difficulties on those streets.

https://www.dallascityhall.com/pwt/bike_links.html

TexasKid

I guess we're going to have to agree to disagree. These ain't roads - this is a map of an urban concrete jungle. You have to constantly look out for kids, people backing out cars, opening car doors, stop signs, red lights, dogs, pedestrians. I'm talking about getting out in the country and riding full blast for 10 miles and not worrying about getting through that green light or hoping that landscaper with the weed eater doesn't get something in your eye. That happened to me last Sunday. Then you have the hoodlums that holler at you and throw stuff at you for no good reason. Well, that hasn't happened in 20 years. My point - there ain't nothing like being out on a rode and you're the only thing out there. If you don't know what I mean, I can't explain it. I rode 40 miles yesterday and saw 3 cars moving the whole time. All I had to think about was how fast I could ride.

evblazer

I just wanted to say 10 Wheels that is absolute cheating!
referring to your "roads"

pmsummer

Oh, well THAT's very different.

But then, all my bikes have bells, and most have baskets.

Bikedued

"Paths" around here are nonexistent. I would have to ride 5-10 miles from my house to even find the beginning of one? in my own humble opinion if someone is riding a bike on a multi use path, they sound like a recreational rider to me? Maybe my perception is way off here?,,,,BD

TexasKid

Indeed.