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jaleel_da_sheik wrote:
Another bike path that gets alot of traffic is the Burt-Gillman trail that runs from Redmond, WA to Seattle. A beautiful path that is well built and well maintained. The rainy season in Seattle is the only "safe" time to ride that trail due to the decrease in usage by others. Try riding it on a sunny weekend with the intent to get in a good ride and you will be disappointed.

What could be done to address all of these problems we bring up about the danger of bike paths? It is almost to the point where some sort of traffic school for path users should be required - the curriculum would include: headphones are extremely dangerous/illegal, proper reaction to verbal commands such as "on your left" are practiced, extendable dog leashes are dangerous/illegal, congested & dangerous areas should be better marked, etc. Perhaps bike path police are necessary.

It is great to see so many people and families enjoy the paths, but in many instances I feel safer riding in traffic than riding on the paths. That just seems wrong! Better understanding and self-policing by all path users is needed to reverse this predicament.

As for your feelings about the Critical Mass rides, Dave, I 100% agree with you on that. They are not the kind of protests that help bicyclists out in any way, shape or form.

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I believe the law, or rules, on the paths are that wheeled vehicles give way to pedestrians. The problem is when bike riders get together in a paceline, get a rhythm going, forget the rules and don't use common courtesies. When my wife and I ride our trails, we'll always fall single file when approaching pedestrians, call out "on your left" when passing and treat others as we would want to be treated.

Self-policing is a good policy, IF folks would self-police.

We have two really great paths over here, the Centennial Trail which runs from Spokane to Coeur d'Alene about 55 miles, and the Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes, which is a rails-to-trail that is 72 miles long. Both of them go through cities or towns, but also wander to to some exquisite middle-of-nowhere countryside. I've ridden the Burke Gillman once and not again. I don't like having my life on the line, it's a dangerous trail.

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Steel lover, but then I like Ti with carbon too.
Licensed bike geek.

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