bike path improvements

[SoWalSally]

By Rachel Kyler

Winding through County Road 30A near dune lakes and coastline, the Walton County bike path is roughly 27 miles long spanning from Bay to Okaloosa County.
“It adds to quality of life,” said Seagrove Beach resident Christian Wagley. “It’s imperative that we keep it safe.”
For the past few years, members of Friends of the Timpochee Trail have been working to maintain county bike paths and some say they are starting to see some progress.
“We’ve seen more progress in the last 120 days than we’ve seen in many years,” said Trail member Dan McClary.
After various complaints, the county has moved forward with multiple projects to enhance the bike paths, including ongoing landscape maintenance and is now looking at a new signage program.
“Right now it’s just a hodgepodge of signs,” said Commissioner Cindy Meadows.
Meadows explained that county will place kiosks that will include maps, rules and things of interest along the trail. Additional signs will identify potential hazards such as hidden driveways and crosswalks.
All of the signs will be designed to blend in with the Tourist Development Council’s current signage along 30A.
“It’s just going to really identify one of the resources we have,” Meadows said.
Wagley believes the path has improved in the past couple months, but said there a number of issues that need to be addressed, such as sprinklers on the path.
McClary said there are a few developers the group considers “slow learners,” but that the county is “engaging them and monitoring the issues” identifi ed for safety improvements along the bike paths.
Wagley encourages local riders to keep their eyes open for potential dangers.
“We consider the county employees to be partners in this effort. We ride and run the path daily so we see the progress being made,” Mc-Clary said.

[bamaflyfish]

Where can I hop on the bike path from Seacrest? Is the entire 27 miles ridable on a road bike? Any online sources for maps?

[kurt]

Where can I hop on the bike path from Seacrest? Is the entire 27 miles ridable on a road bike? Any online sources for maps?

The bike path is adjacent Scenic 30A and runs right through Seacrest. You can ride the whole length on a road bike.

[beachmouse]

In theory, it's rideable on a road bike, though there are some spots that aren't friendly to the skinny tire crowd, and if you're going to be more than 10mph, you probably want to stick to the adjacent 30-A proper instead.

For more western Panhandle route maps:

http://www.dragonsports.net/master_map.htm

Emerald Coast cyclists

http://members.cox.net/polarman/index.htm

I think there also might be a couple of rides out of Robin's bicycles in Destin west of the outlet mall.

[Mermaid]

However seldomly does anyone ever let anyone cross 30A in Seagrove(at a designated crossing) nor slow to the 15mph at the Villas before 395.

I'm always either on my bike or on foot in Seagrove Beach and I've never had any trouble getting across at zebra crossings. No matter if it's the height of the tourist season or the dead of winter. The trick is to edge out when there's a bit of a gap--no matter if there's oncoming traffic or not. If you give cars enough lead time to brake AND make eye contact with them so they know you're exercising your pedestrian rights, they WILL stop for you. (If you dash out, maybe they won't. ) The thing is to give drivers the chance to stop and give them a firm look that tells them YOU have the right of way. Be cautious; be prudent; but cross. Don't be shy. Oh, and another thing. When the cars have stopped for you to cross, say thank-you. They might not hear you but they can tell you're saying it. A little positive reinforcement goes a long way in making the roads safe for all of us.

[bamaflyfish]

Does the bike path paralell 30-a from end to end?