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Allifunn

FunnChef - AlisonCooks.com
Jan 11, 2006
13,635
289
St Petersburg
It is still alive (and it should be) because it is local news that was in the Walton Sun yet again this week, in addition to it having a good bit of "local color", like one of the posters running for public office and making the really interesting comments on this situation. Biking and the use of roads and the trail are big news here.
IMO the bike path/walking path/running path is a menace. I am throughly amazed that people have not gotten seriously injured. It is too narrow for multi-purpose use. There are many serious cyclists in our area and riding 8 mph (proposed) on a walking path is not condusive to what they are trying to achieve. I used to get mad at 30-A cyclists when I had to veer around them, but now I understand their point. Walking path will tear up their tires and cause damage in many ways. I now practice patience. Is getting somewhere 5 minutes earlier really worth risking someone's life?
I just can not believe that FG is still trying to defend the actions of the truck driver....:shock:
 

Miss Kitty

Meow
Jun 10, 2005
47,011
1,131
71
Has anyone else noticed the number of cars/trucks with that orangey color?

Afunn...:clap:
 

Allifunn

FunnChef - AlisonCooks.com
Jan 11, 2006
13,635
289
St Petersburg
Has anyone else noticed the number of cars/trucks with that orangey color?
I cringe every time I see an orange truck down here....:shock: Told Toots that just yesterday!
 

scooterbug44

SoWal Expert
May 8, 2007
16,706
3,339
Sowal
IMO the bike path/walking path/running path is a menace. I am throughly amazed that people have not gotten seriously injured. It is too narrow for multi-purpose use.

I grew up in an area w/ a multi-use path that is narrower in many places than the path along 30-A. It is used by bikers of all abilities, walkers, runners (though often they ran on the grass next to it) roller bladers, and in several areas - fisherman!

It isn't the path width that's the problem! It's people's inability to share it and use common sense!
 

Allifunn

FunnChef - AlisonCooks.com
Jan 11, 2006
13,635
289
St Petersburg
I grew up in an area w/ a multi-use path that is narrower in many places than the path along 30-A. It is used by bikers of all abilities, walkers, runners (though often they ran on the grass next to it) roller bladers, and in several areas - fisherman!

It isn't the path width that's the problem! It's people's inability to share it and use common sense!
Was it a tourist area?
I agree that it is not the width of the path...but a wider path could allow better flow. I have been walking on the path, and kids pass me...they freak out when they have to pass someone on such a narrow path....what would they do if it were a cyclist?
Sad thing is....it is, and always will be, an on going problem, until someone gets seriously injured. JMHO
 

scooterbug44

SoWal Expert
May 8, 2007
16,706
3,339
Sowal
It wasn't a tourist area like here, but it was used by a broad segment of the population and a constantly changing population because a portion of it was near the college.

We rode and rollerbladed on it as little kids and as we speak a neighbor is pedaling to work on it sporting a dress shirt, bike shorts, dress socks, and dress shoes! He's a judge so the robe hides the spandex at work! :blink:
 

ciclismo

Beach Comber
May 19, 2008
48
16
It wasn't a tourist area like here, but it was used by a broad segment of the population and a constantly changing population because a portion of it was near the college.

We rode and rollerbladed on it as little kids and as we speak a neighbor is pedaling to work on it sporting a dress shirt, bike shorts, dress socks, and dress shoes! He's a judge so the robe hides the spandex at work! :blink:

I used to live in an area with a miles of those trails too. Used to rollerblade them frequently. Rode my bike on the narrow trails too. You could go miles without having to cross a road or encounter a car. It was great for families.

Unfortunately, our trails are not conducive to anything more than a walker/jogger and a beach cruiser or two. There is too much sand, broken pavement and blind intersections to make it safe. You are crossing a path of potential vehicle traffic every 20 meters versus every 3-5 miles. Imagine riding from Rosemary to Grayton without having to cross any driveways or streets. That would be nirvana! Or being able to take a trail from Pier Park to San Destin, now that would be better than sliced bread! :D

When I ride the trail with my daughters I have to ride ahead and check every intersection to make sure they don't get plowed by a car coming out of a driveway. It is not a fun excursion for me.

I have almost hit a few cyclist while pulling out of a driveway onto 30a. You can't see anyone coming until you are in the middle of the path. I feel extra crappy when it happens as I should be extra aware of fellow cyclists.
 

scooterbug44

SoWal Expert
May 8, 2007
16,706
3,339
Sowal
This was a multi-use path/sidewalk like we have here, not a separate trail. You crossed railroad tracks, streets, rode close to a 4-6 lane major road, had potholes/uneven pavement portions, debris, cars backing out etc. It also had dedicated more remote bike paths connecting to it for people who wanted to ride longer distances away from the city.

One portion of it used a residential sidewalk as the path and they made it illegal to ride bikes on the sidewalk because people were riding their racing bikes too fast on the sidewalk and creating problems w/ other users and cars backing out of blind driveways - sound familiar?

A pristine path w/ no hazards whatsoever isn't realistic. A well maintained path that many can enjoy is!
 
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