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Mailbag: Right of way, and what's right along the way
Do you want to contribute to Mailbag, a regular feature of VeloNews.com? Here's how:
- Keep it short. And remember that we reserve the right to edit for grammar, length and clarity.
- Include your full name, hometown and state or nation.
- Send it to webletters@insideinc.com.
Senior online editor Charles Pelkey’s October 7 “Explainer” column discussing user conflicts on multiuse paths continues to draw a flood of letters proposing solutions and/or posing further questions. Following is a representative sample. And look for another “Explainer” on this topic in the near future — Editor
On the road, again?
Editor:
I frequently encounter joggers jogging against traffic in bike lanes that are clearly marked bike lanes, not multiuse lanes, and are in the street, even though a perfectly good sidewalk also runs along the street. Often these joggers don’t yield and require me to exit the bike lane and go into the street. I want to be respectful of my fellow exercisers, but find this behavior rude. Am I being overly sensitive?
David Ward
Ventura, California
Hey, there’s a jogger in my bike path!
Editor:
Where I live the bike paths alongside the roads are clearly marked "Bike Path" and even have a bike painted on the pavement. I have encountered many joggers in the path jogging straight me. I guess I'm confused why they don’t use the sidewalks that are usually just a few feet away?
Don Higbee
Arvada, Colorado
Who has the right of way in on-street bike lanes?
Editor:
Who has the right of way in a bike lane? I always ride on the road instead of multiuse trails because of the inevitable obstacle course, but I prefer to ride on roads that have a separate bike lane, especially in cities.
That said, on almost every training ride, I come across at least one runner, traveling either with or against the flow of traffic, forcing me (the cyclist) into the automobile lane. Seems pretty clear to me that this is a violation by the runner (both ethical and legal). What say the experts? Thank you!
John Kelleher
Boston, Massachusetts
Do unto others . . .
Editor:
This question really is so simple — ride as though everyone you encounter is one of your children. Admittedly, it sounds hokey, but turn the tables and pretend you're walking with your kids. Do you really want a bar-staring watt-weenie bombing past you blindly at 25 mph?
The analogy to boating is perfectly apt (see the October 9 Mailbag). I was once passed by a motorcycle going about 120 mph less than 18 inches from my left elbow. I almost had a heart attack.
Besides, what do we really need to prove on a bike path? If you've got something to prove, step up to the starting line in a sanctioned race and have at it.
David C. Read
Chicago, Illinois
Be an ambassador for the sport
Editor:
Heads up. Go a reasonable speed based on conditions.
Don't go blasting by families with little kids. One of those little kids may dart out in front of you. Don't hammer around blind corners.
Communicate. Depending on speed, time your alert so other users have plenty of notice.
Be courteous. If there's someone running at you head on, move to the other side if there is no oncoming traffic.
Be an ambassador for our sport and don't leave a bad impression.
Kenji Sugahara
Salem, Oregon
And finally . . .
Editor:
Riding fast on bike paths can be safe, and good training.
Heavy traffic is common around here, so I learned to go slow and easy passing traffic going in my direction, especially if I see a baby carriage or kids on bikes. Simple respect.
Then I light it up in the free spaces between groupings of traffic. Go hard as you can until the next cluster, as long or short of a pull as it may be.
The randomness of the choke points adds realism to your interval training. You practice recovery and acceleration outside of a schedule, as in a real race.
Every time I accelerate I imagine I'm starting the winning break in the last few K's, hurting like hell but not hurting anybody.
Good luck and happy trails to all.
Irv Fey
Bothell, Washington
