52 replies to this topic

[Terry]

Folsom trails are called multi-use trails and most are posted that bicyclists are to yield to all other users AND have a posted limit of 15 mph.

[tony]

Speaking of poor trail etiquette, see the rendering on the front page of the newslettter: http://www.folsom.ca...asp?BlobID=2109

[Orangetj]

Ha! It looks like somebody in that picture is going to have to go over the side and take a swim in the river below!

[tony]

Folsom trails are called multi-use trails and most are posted that bicyclists are to yield to all other users AND have a posted limit of 15 mph.

Only the trails in the state park are signed for bicyclists to yield to all users.

But that is not to disagree with the main point: all Folsom's trails are considered multi-use as noted by others, as are nearly all "bike paths" nationwide. The American River Parkway is, if I'm not mistakedn, a notable exception; but it still functions and is managed as a multi-use trail.

It's called trail etiquette for a reason, and that is because if everyone behaves with consideration of other users, then everyone has a safer and more enjoyable experience. However, some rules can help. And this thread started with a basic question on which side walkers and joggers should use. The SACOG Bike and Ped Committte has made their recommendation -- walk/run on the left -- and I think we should all follow that. That doesn't mean bikes shouldn't yield to walkers, or that walkers shouldn't block the entire width of the trail, or that dogs shouldn't be on a 6-ft leash (city ordinance, I believe).

Here's my final point on why people should walk on the left. It's a common example that causes frustration for all withh a simple solution. People like to walk side-by-side so they can talk while walking. If two or more people are walking side-by-side, they take up nearly all of one of the "lanes" on the path. If they are walking on the right side, a cyclist overtaking from behind wil have to announce themselves and either wait for them to clear some space on the right half of the trail or move into the left half to pass. If there are people walking or riding on the other side, then the bicyclist has only one choice, to wait. And the reality is that many walkers will not hear or respond to a verbal warning, forcing the bicyclist to come to a stop. On the other hand, if the curteous walkers are walking on the left, they will see the bicyclist coming and realize that he needs some place to pass (especially if there are people on the other side of the trail) and will move aside to allow him to pass. in the latter case, neither the bicyclist nor the walksers are dependent on thee effectiveness of his verbal warning, and the odds of a pleasant outcome are much greater. Good rules help make good etiquette just as good fences make goood neighbors.

[SacKen]

As someone that has done a couple 60-mile cancer walks (and will be doing more soon), I have walked many many trails both during training and during the actual event, in areas ranging from Santa Cruz, San Jose up to SF, all over Sac and Folsom, Lake Tahoe and the Seattle area. Some cities/counties are nice enough to post signs every mile or so. Most do not. So far, every time a path has signs, they always say ride right, walk/run left. The walk organizers tell us to walk on the left as well since they typically don't close the trail for us and we still share with bikes (poor people that think they are going to get a nice morning ride only to find a couple thousand people in their way!)

The Tahoe trail between Tahoe City and Squaw Valley has signs every so often and at most (all?) path entrances. Even that didn't stop us from having to deal with the morons that kept yelling at us to get on the other side.

My personal experience is that walking left is much better for the reasons mentioned already. It allows the walker to move to the shoulder to get out of the way so the bike can pass easier. If they come up from behind, we can't move for them and often step in front of them because most riders don't announce that they are approaching.

[benning]

Speaking of poor trail etiquette, see the rendering on the front page of the newslettter: http://www.folsom.ca...asp?BlobID=2109

That is funny. It does show bad form.

I normally ride a bicycle on the trail and the thing that irks me most is when another cyclist stops on the trail to 'chat' or fix a flat or something. Get off the blankety blank trail if you're going to be stopped.

[bishmasterb]

I normally ride a bicycle on the trail and the thing that irks me most is when another cyclist stops on the trail to 'chat' or fix a flat or something. Get off the blankety blank trail if you're going to be stopped.

I know what you mean. I hate when the snowboarders sit down right in the middle of the trail to mess with their bindings or talk to their friends.

[Nylaan]

Etiquette is certainly an issue, but safety should still remain the primary concern. Being on the left decreases the chances of complication significantly, especially if you are not paying full attention because you are engaged in discussion or listening to music. Walking on the left doesn't reduce the chance of an accident to zero but it is more likely you can see what is coming. (And as mentioned above sometimes being on the right is safer, such as with sharp turns).

A similar argument I make concerning automobile driving is moving when the light turns green without making sure cross traffic is actually stopping. You may be right to go but the result is still the same; your car is now wrecked and possibly worse.

[folsom500]

I know what you mean. I hate when the snowboarders sit down right in the middle of the trail to mess with their bindings or talk to their friends.

they are a pain arent they -

[keyplayer]

I know the "bike paths" are really multi use trails but they should still be useable by cyclists. Maybe I have just had bad luck with walkers lately. I am a slow rider (10mph or less) so I'm not flying by. Maybe that's why I can hear the rude comments. I get yelled at for not giving a loud enough warning to be heard over the music and talk, I've even had people hit me with arms or feet. I would pass farther away, but the trail isn't that wide. I've only had trouble with right side walkers. Left side walkers can see and aren't surprised to see a bike.

[bishmasterb]

Man, you guys sure have bad luck!

I've been running and cycling on the trails (mostly near the Parkway) a lot in the past couple of years, and I've never once had anyone say anything rude, let alone hit me!

The "worst" thing that's happened is when Steve and I were running along the river and a cyclist shouted that we were on the wrong side of the path (we were on the right-hand side).

[tallady]

Man, you guys sure have bad luck!

I've been running and cycling on the trails (mostly near the Parkway) a lot in the past couple of years, and I've never once had anyone say anything rude, let alone hit me!

The "worst" thing that's happened is when Steve and I were running along the river and a cyclist shouted that we were on the wrong side of the path (we were on the right-hand side).

I am a cyclist and runner. I always run on the left hand side so I can see cyclists coming my way and move over for them. One time on the bike trail by Rainbow Bridge I was running on the left side in the dirt when a woman was coming down a slight grade BEHIND me, crossed over into my lane and hit me from behind! She was taken away in an ambulance because she was knocked out cold in the middle of the bike lane (I am tall and she smacked me in my butt, which completely threw me up in the air). Once she came to she asked me if she hit me and started apologizing. Poor thing. I was a mess with weeds and dirt in my hair, bloody elbows and a hole in my head from meeting up with a rock when I landed so I ended up in ER getting stitches Sometimes it is just bad darn luck no matter where you are on the trail....just be careful

[Orangetj]

Man...this "healthy lifestyle" stuff is dangerous!

[nhardy]

Man, you guys sure have bad luck!

I've been running and cycling on the trails (mostly near the Parkway) a lot in the past couple of years, and I've never once had anyone say anything rude, let alone hit me!

I agree with Bish

I'm on the river trails all the time and have never once heard any comments or had close calls from other bikers/runners/rollerbladers/casual walkers.

[tony]

The worst close calls I have had all involved horses. The signss may say yield to horses, but the reality is that some horses don't belong on a multi-use trail with small children walking and on bikes. Twice I have had riders lose control of their horses and have them rear up as we passed by at a crawl. One was on the north side of Lake Natoma at the base of the bluffs (their is actually a separate equestrian trail on the bluffs through this area) where the distance between the edge of the lake and the base of hte cliff is only about 20 feet. No matter how much you "yield" this is a dangerous place to mix horses and anyone else if you've got a skittish horse. We had a similar close call with a large group of riders on the south side of the lake in the curvey, hilly area just upstream of the Natoma Station Dr. spur. The horses were all over the paved trail (there is also a separate equestrian trail in this area), there was no place to go around, and a couple of the horses were not within the control of the young kids riding them. Very scary when you have a 1-year old in a trailer! Equestrians may have the right of way, but IMHO, on a busy weekend, the Lake Natoma Loop (on the paved trail) is no place for inexperienced equestrians or skittish horses.