Bikers - use the BIKE path!

I'm not anti-bike or anti-environment! I use my bike for fun, exercise, to run errands, to retrieve my car from the bar I left it at the night before etc.

Exactly. Let's not reframe this debate along bogus arguments. This is not eco-friendly bikes versus big ugly car drivers.

The issue at hand is whether 30-A is an appropriate venue for bikes.

real bikers cannot use the bike path...too dangerous for pedestrian, people pulling out of driveways, cafe signs, etc. bikers who are traveling at fast rates of spped 17+ mph have to use the road...that being said 30A is a very difficult road to get a good ride in...just too much commotion.

front beach road is excellent however and has bike lanes.

also RELAX...its people exersizing...its not going to kill u to cruise along behind a biker at 20 mph on 30A and wait for an opportunity to pass. motorists are soooo ridiculous when it comes to bikers and pedestrians and its because the majority of them don't exersize and don't understand whats it like to be said biker or pedestrian.

While I agree that bikes in the street can be annoying, get over it! You forget that bicycles are environmentally friendly alternative TRANSPORTATION! Not toys! Some of use ride instead of drive. One day you will have to become one of us, or lard out at home. We are going places not just playing. I ride the path and cars not looking are the problem! Get off your D**m cell phone and drive!

Just one gentle tap on Kurt's Amtrak horn for courtesy!

real bikers cannot use the bike path...too dangerous for pedestrian, people pulling out of driveways, cafe signs, etc. bikers who are traveling at fast rates of spped 17+ mph have to use the road...

also RELAX...its people exersizing...its not going to kill u to cruise along behind a biker at 20 mph on 30A and wait for an opportunity to pass. motorists are soooo ridiculous when it comes to bikers and pedestrians and its because the majority of them don't exersize and don't understand whats it like to be said biker or pedestrian.

I use the bike path all the time. My point is that 30-A is not the best place for 'real' or 'serious' bikers.

I agree -RELAX. Slow down, enjoy a scenic bike ride along our beautiful bike path, there is no need to barrel along 30-A at 17+ mph.

Is there a way to get the word out to the Lance Armstrong wannabees that they should ride their bikes on the bike path instead of on the nonexistant shoulder of 30A?

I think it's wonderful that they are out exercising and enjoying the great weather, but my pet peeve is a line of cars waiting to pass a biker ....... when there is a beautifully maintained and empty path just feet away.

Safety issue too - there are some quality and distracted drivers around here who have enough trouble keeping it between the lines and avoiding clipping other cars, let alone a biker they may not see or be aware of.

There are a bunch of reasons that I've heard as to why they don't use the path - skinny tires (BS as I think the path is better than the road in some places), don't want to interfere w/ walkers or slower bikers etc. but I think part of it is that in other areas bike riders aren't supposed to ride on the sidewalk/path. One guy on the road was yelling at other bikers on the path that they were supposed to ride on the road until a friend corrected him.

Wow, I started out just wanting to let bikers know it was okay for them to ride on the path to avoid traffic issues or them being injured by inattentive/poor drivers.

Never thought it meant I was a fat couch potato who hated the environment and drove a gas guzzler while yapping on my phone! Love how these things snowball!

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?

I'll bite. A road bike traveling at 20 mph on 30A in a 25 mph speedlimit is riding beside autos breaking speed limits, but still only traveling at let's say 35 mph.
Compare that risk to the cyclist riding at 20mph on Hwy 98 with the autos and 18 wheeler's traveling at speeds of 75 mph. I think there is much more risk for riding on hwy 98 as compared to the lower speeds on 30A. Also, traffic on 30A is traveling through communities such as Seaside, WaterColor, Rosemary, etc, where the drivers must drive more slowly as they look out for pedistrians.

Again, I think the majority of people on bicycles around here rarely ride and they should not be on bicycles until they pass a safety awareness class and test. I also think the same thing about most motorists around here.

Wow, I started out just wanting to let bikers know it was okay for them to ride on the path to avoid traffic issues or them being injured by inattentive/poor drivers.

Never thought it meant I was a fat couch potato who hated the environment and drove a gas guzzler while yapping on my phone! Love how these things snowball!

This is a hot button topic.

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

Although hwy 98 is noted as scenic, you don't get the same feeling as riding on 30A crossing over the beautiful lakes, seeing the dunes and georgeous Gulf on occasion. Serious and recreational road cyclists still like to enjoy the scenery.;-) That is one of the reasons why they ride -- to be out in the open air with Ma Nature.

ALSO, fun fact that can blamed on the bikers:

The anxiety that drivers feel when stuck in traffic is that of a skydiver about to jump out of a plane for the first time.

Kimmi, I've jumped out of an airplane at 13,000 ft elevation, and I can say that the first time, was as fun as going down a huge waterslide for the first time. Hanging out the open door of the plane, while waiting to jump was almost heavenly. On the other hand, driving through Atlanta gives me anxiety attacks -- seriously.

Kimmi, I've jumped out of an airplane at 13,000 ft elevation, and I can say that the first time, was as fun as going down a huge waterslide for the first time. Hanging out the open door of the plane, while waiting to jump was almost heavenly. On the other hand, driving through Atlanta gives me anxiety attacks -- seriously.

I hear ya brother!!!!!!!

I'll bite. A road bike traveling at 20 mph on 30A in a 25 mph speedlimit is riding beside autos breaking speed limits, but still only traveling at let's say 35 mph.
Compare that risk to the cyclist riding at 20mph on Hwy 98 with the autos and 18 wheeler's traveling at speeds of 75 mph. I think there is much more risk for riding on hwy 98 as compared to the lower speeds on 30A. Also, traffic on 30A is traveling through communities such as Seaside, WaterColor, Rosemary, etc, where the drivers must drive more slowly as they look out for pedistrians.

A majority of 30A isn't a 25mph zone, but 35 or 45 mph. And a bicyclist shouldn't be going 20mph thru Seaside anyways due to the pedestrians.

What about Hwy 83, 283, or 395?

(Whew, glad I got away with the Sapndex jabs btw):funn:

Bikers have the same right to use the roads as cars do. Get used to it. give them space. Plus road bikes really aren't good on the bike path due to the large amount of glass and rocks on the path. You're at the beach.... slow down your drivin to fast anyhow.

Kimmi, I've jumped out of an airplane at 13,000 ft elevation, and I can say that the first time, was as fun as going down a huge waterslide for the first time. Hanging out the open door of the plane, while waiting to jump was almost heavenly. On the other hand, driving through Atlanta gives me anxiety attacks -- seriously.

Isn't that an intersting fact though?

Atlanta is a different story all together. :roll:

Bikers have the same right to use the roads as cars do. Get used to it. give them space. Plus road bikes really aren't good on the bike path due to the large amount of glass and rocks on the path. You're at the beach.... slow down your drivin to fast anyhow.

I'd hate to see Joe Paterno biking down 30-A. Talk about a traffic jam.

Personally, I don't see road bikes on 30A as the problem around here. The people who don't regularly ride bicylces, but get on them for easy transport to the beach, on their once a year trip to SoWal, are a huge problem. Driving through WaterColor, I've often seen kids under 10 yrs of age, riding down both lanes of the road, all going in the same direction. Their helmets are usually loosely fitted, hanging on the side of their head. The "adults" are just as bad, though there are always exceptions to the rule.

I think that even for a regular cyclists, visiting the area, the rules are confusing. I've never lived in another town where riding bikes on the sidewalk was legal, and often you will see signs posted alerting people, "no bikes allowed on sidewalk." That rule is for the safety of the public. Here in SoWal, the mulit-purpose path (technically, it is not a bike path) crosses 30A in several places, and the cyclist by law, is to dismount the bicycle and cross. When traveling through Seaside, on 30A, the bike path disappears into a sidewalk. That is a huge problem in my opinion, and I don't know why Seaside has been allowed to not extend the multi-purpose path. For those regular riders from other areas, it can be very confusing.

Again, I don't think that the road cyclists are the problem, but there are plenty of problems that I have with the majority of people on bicycles around here -- the biggest problem is that they don't know, and don't follow the rules. Rather than wanting to run them over, I just breathe deeply and remember that I am at the beach, and making it to an appointment on time, might mean leaving a little bit earlier, rather than running over a person.

I encourage everyone to breathe deeply and focus on driving while you are on 30A. Let's remember some basics, no matter if we are in our car or on our bikes, like stopping for people waiting to cross the busy 30A. Let's give people the benefit of the doubt, and realize that they are trying to be on vacation and trying to keep up with little johnny and little suzie who have just darted across the street on their tiny bicyles, against their parents' wishes. The taking of one's life is serious, and no appointment is worth that time which you might spend in jail. About two years ago, a customer of mine, while driving his truck on 30A, killed a man on a bicycle, who darted out in front of his truck, and let's just say that his life is forever changed.

Slow down, breathe deeply when getting stressed, and remember that the life you save might be someone you know or love.

Will this work on the bike path? Tires big enough? People could see you coming, and one can enjoy the views. I suspect it doesn't go very fast.

Bikers have the same right to use the roads as cars do. Get used to it. give them space. Plus road bikes really aren't good on the bike path due to the large amount of glass and rocks on the path. You're at the beach.... slow down your drivin to fast anyhow.

Slow down -you're riding your bike too fast; get on the bike path, relax and enjoy the scenery.

A majority of 30A isn't a 25mph zone, but 35 or 45 mph. And a bicyclist shouldn't be going 20mph thru Seaside anyways due to the pedestrians.

What about Hwy 83, 283, or 395?

(Whew, glad I got away with the Sapndex jabs btw):funn:

When I am riding on 283 and 395, I typically jump on the multi-purpose path, because they are new and for the most part, fairly smooth.

I also have a problem with people who don't know how to politely pass a bicyclist. Maybe they are the ones we should target.

When I am riding on 283 and 395, I typically jump on the multi-purpose path, because they are new and for the most part, fairly smooth.

I also have a problem with people who don't know how to politely pass a bicyclist. Maybe they are the ones we should target.

Just swing the door open. 10 points
Swing the door open and send an email at the same time. 40 points

Personally, I don't see road bikes on 30A as the problem around here. The people who don't regularly ride bicylces, but get on them for easy transport to the beach, on their once a year trip to SoWal, are a huge problem. Driving through WaterColor, I've often seen kids under 10 yrs of age, riding down both lanes of the road, all going in the same direction. Their helmets are usually loosely fitted, hanging on the side of their head. The "adults" are just as bad, though there are always exceptions to the rule.

I think that even for a regular cyclists, visiting the area, the rules are confusing. I've never lived in another town where riding bikes on the sidewalk was legal, and often you will see signs posted alerting people, "no bikes allowed on sidewalk." That rule is for the safety of the public. Here in SoWal, the mulit-purpose path (technically, it is not a bike path) crosses 30A in several places, and the cyclist by law, is to dismount the bicycle and cross. When traveling through Seaside, on 30A, the bike path disappears into a sidewalk. That is a huge problem in my opinion, and I don't know why Seaside has been allowed to not extend the multi-purpose path. For those regular riders from other areas, it can be very confusing.

Again, I don't think that the road cyclists are the problem, but there are plenty of problems that I have with the majority of people on bicycles around here -- the biggest problem is that they don't know, and don't follow the rules. Rather than wanting to run them over, I just breathe deeply and remember that I am at the beach, and making it to an appointment on time, might mean leaving a little bit earlier, rather than running over a person.

I encourage everyone to breathe deeply and focus on driving while you are on 30A. Let's remember some basics, no matter if we are in our car or on our bikes, like stopping for people waiting to cross the busy 30A. Let's give people the benefit of the doubt, and realize that they are trying to be on vacation and trying to keep up with little johnny and little suzie who have just darted across the street on their tiny bicyles, against their parents' wishes. The taking of one's life is serious, and no appointment is worth that time which you might spend in jail. About two years ago, a customer of mine, while driving his truck on 30A, killed a man on a bicycle, who darted out in front of his truck, and let's just say that his life is forever changed.

Slow down, breathe deeply when getting stressed, and remember that the life you save might be someone you know or love.

spot on

Isn't that an intersting fact though?

Atlanta is a different story all together. :roll:

I don't know that most people who are sky diving, feel that stress the first time. My first time jumping was with about 9 other friends and maybe one was a little stressed after an accident on the jump just before her's.

It is legal for bicycles to be on the 30A roadway. No more really needs to be said.

However:

We should all be considerate of others when using the public highways whether we drive, pedal or walk. It seems hard to find common courtesy any more.

Getting behind the wheel of 2+ tons of steel with an attitude that the rode belongs to you is a recipe for disaster.

I'm with Uncle Timmy- the serious Lance-spandex-wearing-and team-shirt types need to stay off the bike path. I had one FLY past me yesterday and even if he had given a shout, he would have been past me by the time I heard it. And I would have been dead with one misstep. Way to freaking fast for a path used by walkers, strollers, rollerbladers, and families.

While we are on the subject, can someone please explain to me why riders wear the tight logo spandex shirts when they are clearly NOT on some sort of bike team? I love seeing these- especially on people that look like they went out and bought all the "right" clothes for an occasional bike ride.

A few things - my side mirror is about helmet high, and according to Harry Hogge, "Rubbin's racin."

Beemn, bikes are worse for the environment than SUVs, cars and trucks.

And to add to jdarg's question - why do grown people on the beach cruisers wear helmets?

A few things - my side mirror is about helmet high, and according to Harry Hogge, "Rubbin's racin."

Beemn, bikes are worse for the environment than SUVs, cars and trucks.

And to add to jdarg's question - why do grown people on the beach cruisers wear helmets?

In case the Lance Armstrong types blow past them and knock them off the bikes. Also for drunk driving I guess.