Bikers - use the BIKE path!

[Will B]

From a former hardcord road cyclist...

Bicycles are required to follow all the same laws as motor vehicles...red lights, stop signs, etc... Do they? No, and they are the ones that give us a black eye.

Having logged more miles than I can count in Sowal, I can attest to the fact that the bike path is woefully unsuited for road bikes. These bikes are made to cruise long distances at speeds between 20 and 30mph on tires no wider than your thumb that are inflated to 125psi. With the amount of sand, potholes, broken glass, and debris that is all over the bike path it is not safe for road bikes.

To be honest I don't know which is more hazardous...cyclists on the road or the obstinate drivers who either refuse to pass and lay on their horn or idiots who pull along side to berate a cyclist from their car while barely maintaining control of their own vehicle. I've experienced it all.

We're all down here to have a good time. Just take a deep breath and relax...

 

[kathydwells]

From a former hardcord road cyclist...

Bicycles are required to follow all the same laws as motor vehicles...red lights, stop signs, etc... Do they? No, and they are the ones that give us a black eye.

Having logged more miles than I can count in Sowal, I can attest to the fact that the bike path is woefully unsuited for road bikes. These bikes are made to cruise long distances at speeds between 20 and 30mph on tires no wider than your thumb that are inflated to 125psi. With the amount of sand, potholes, broken glass, and debris that is all over the bike path it is not safe for road bikes.

To be honest I don't know which is more hazardous...cyclists on the road or the obstinate drivers who either refuse to pass and lay on their horn or idiots who pull along side to berate a cyclist from their car while barely maintaining control of their own vehicle. I've experienced it all.

We're all down here to have a good time. Just take a deep breath and relax...

and great post!!!!

 

[jessifunn]

:shock:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YUTdsU3f2U

that is so funny :funn: that is in jacksonville

 

[Will B]

and great post!!!!

Gracias!

I actually wrote a letter to the editor of the Walton Sun a few years back after an eldery gentleman pulled along side of me screaming at the top of his lungs. He ended his conversation by throwing a half drunk can of soda at me out of the window followed by a few choice expletives...all while I was cruising along at 20+ mph. Should have called the cops but didn't.

Oh...and the paper thanked me for my submission but never ran it.

Go figure...

 

[Uncle Timmy]

Sorry, I'm just not buying the arguments for bikes on 30-A this time. I know that puts me at odds with a lot of the cyclists who have posted some very good reasons as to why they don't like the bike path, (and incidentally my friends on this board most of whom support the bikers) but I think it's time to take an unpopular position.

It is true that we're all here to relax and enjoy ourselves but why does that just apply to drivers? Can't that also apply to the cyclists who could take an easier pace, on the bike path thereby avoiding all the problems mentioned?

If a cyclist wants some high speed training, why not use Hwy 98 where cars can more easily get around you? If they are concerned about traffic on 98, why not use Hwy 83, 283, or 395?

 

[fisher]

Sorry, I'm just not buying the arguments for bikes on 30-A this time. I know that puts me at odds with a lot of the cyclists who have posted some very good reasons as to why they don't like the bike path, (and incidentally my friends on this board most of whom support the bikers) but I think it's time to take an unpopular position.

It is true that we're all here to relax and enjoy ourselves but why does that just apply to drivers? Can't that also apply to the cyclists who could take an easier pace, on the bike path thereby avoiding all the problems mentioned?

If a cyclist wants some high speed training, why not use Hwy 98 where cars can more easily get around you? If they are concerned about traffic on 98, why not use Hwy 83, 283, or 395?

One of the biggest reasons serious bikers don't use the bike path is because drivers pulling out of driveways and side streets don't pay attention to the bike path. When you are whipping along the bike path at 25 MPH and a car pulls out in front of you to look both ways for oncoming vehicular traffic (but not for bikes coming down the path), you either ditch it in the woods or hit the car. I hit a car once due to the lack of consideration on the part of the drivers. Until drivers start paying attention to bikers on the bike path, I stay on the road.

As SJ stated, slow down and relax, you are at the beach. So, what if it takes you an extra 20 seconds to make it to your destination.

One other point, I actually ride at the speed limit along many sections of 30A and cars still pass me and the drivers seem annoyed. Shouldn't the drivers obey the speed limit and stay behind me?

 

[Will B]

Sorry, I'm just not buying the arguments for bikes on 30-A this time....

Don't get me wrong...The ones who do not abide by traffic laws bug the snot out of me just as much as you. The easy solution is to park a couple of Walton Co's finest at a few choice traffic areas that cyclist abuse on a routine basis and start issuing tickets. They'll get the message soon enough.

BTW...there are some great loops that cyclist do...30A to 393 to Chat Holley - Chat Holley to 331 - across the bay and back. Believe me, there are loads that do this, but 95%+ of all rides start and end where the people live which is gonna be on or just off of 30A...

"Can't we all just get along?" (insert police video of me getting my butt whooped here!) LOL!!!

 

[Uncle Timmy]

One of the biggest reasons serious bikers don't use the bike path is because drivers pulling out of driveways and side streets don't pay attention to the bike path. When you are whipping along the bike path at 25 MPH and a car pulls out in front of you to look both ways for oncoming vehicular traffic (but not for bikes coming down the path), you either ditch it in the woods or hit the car. I hit a car once due to the lack of consideration on the part of the drivers. Until drivers start paying attention to bikers on the bike path, I stay on the road.

As SJ stated, slow down and relax, you are at the beach. So, what if it takes you an extra 20 seconds to make it to your destination.

I think the point is that 30-A is not the best venue for 'serious bikers', the road or the path.

I ride a bike on the path all the time, and yes you do need to watch for cars coming out of side streets/driveways but I'm not flying at 25 mph so it is no big deal.

Again, why can't the cyclist RELAX and go for a slower ride on the bike path, OR bike 98 or some more suitable venue if they must have that high speed workout?

 

[TNJed]

I only have a mountain bike so I always use the path. I always, like most bikers, keep a sharp eye out on the driveways and road crossings when on my bike and when I'm in a car I always stop short of the bike path.

However, when in a car and stopping short of the path I am still in a blind spot due to the trees and bushes. At some point, cars must cross the path and stop again just to see the roadway and full path.

I say this just to remind bikers on the path that though it may appear a car has pulled out in front of you, remember that they may have already stopped and looked but cannot see the full view due to vegetation obscuring the view.

 

[scooterbug44]

I think the driveways/side streets issue is a lack of awareness by both cars and bikers. I'm a known violator on both sides - I've surprised cars and bikers - usually someone I know since it's 30A!

There are a lot of places with obstructions due to walls or gates, foliage etc. but if I can't see you coming down the bike path at those locations I probably won't see you coming down the street either.

I'm a little concerned by the justification that you are going so fast you can't stop for a car pulling out into the path - hope I'm not in a crosswalk when you bike by