52 replies to this topic

[LexHillGal]

I am wondering where to find appropriate right of way information for using Folsom's bike paths? I am a
runner, and always run to the right on the paths. While running in the Parkway this has not been a problem, but on other trails in Folsom I have seen people walking and running on both sides of the path. Also, this morning I was screamed at by a bicyclist as I exited the bike path to cross Parkway drive. The bicyclist was trying to enter the path on the same side I was running on. Am I correct to stay to the right, or should I be doing something different?

Here's something else to watch for while on the trails... last Friday afternoon when I was riding in the older section of the Parkway, a young boy (maybe 10-11 yrs old), came on to the trail with a large gun and went into some bushes. While my trail was wrapping around, I heard, "pop, pop, pop." I looked, and saw him shooting up into the air with what I think was a bb gun. I called down to him and asked, "You're not aiming at the wildlife are you?" He said, "No," but I find that hard to believe.

[bishmasterb]

I was running on the trails just this morning, and a herd of pachyderms almost trampled me to death.

[Orangetj]

You've got to watch out for those southbound pachyderms. Those things and the da#@ed blue collar tweakers are ruining this here town.

Here's another thing - I used to pull the stripers out of San Pablo Bay, but now the delta waters go down SoCal..and the stripers start to fade away...

[Terry]

Here's something else to watch for while on the trails... last Friday afternoon when I was riding in the older section of the Parkway, a young boy (maybe 10-11 yrs old), came on to the trail with a large gun and went into some bushes. While my trail was wrapping around, I heard, "pop, pop, pop." I looked, and saw him shooting up into the air with what I think was a bb gun. I called down to him and asked, "You're not aiming at the wildlife are you?" He said, "No," but I find that hard to believe.

Aiming at wildlife is secondary to the fact that no firearms can be discharged in the City limits of Folsom!

[Orangetj]

Does a BB gun qualify as a firearm? Clearly, he should be out "hunting" in the green belt, but what if somebody wanted to shoot their airgun/bb gun in their back yard?

[tessieca]

I hear walkers complain about cyclists but they are bike paths.

Bicyclists have become more plentiful on the DG portion of the trail along the lake. It used to be that riders would call out and move slowly and/or wait for runners on that very narrow trail, but it seems that now more are trying to scream past, nearly knocking me down on the way.

Worst accident with rude behavior here was when I was riding on Riley street. I was going with traffic, per law, and a cyclist came in the bike lane the other direction and was not looking up to boot! Post-collision he was fine and I was lying on the ground a bloody mess. That's just not fair!

[r&rbyrne]

A Bike Bell sounds in order...we use them - not only are they great from a nostalgia perspective, but people will move out of the way when you ring it.

Or shout out - TO YOUR LEFT!! Problem with that is, that some people actually move to their left and you have to swerve quickly to your right!!

[Terry]

Does a BB gun qualify as a firearm? Clearly, he should be out "hunting" in the green belt, but what if somebody wanted to shoot their airgun/bb gun in their back yard?

Here's the Folsom Muni Code regarding firearms:


9.88.010Use restrictions.


A.No person within the corporate limits of the city shall discharge any rifle, shotgun, pistol, cannon or any instrument of any kind, character or description which may throw or project bullets or missiles of any kind to any distance, by means of an elastic force or any explosive substance. No person shall make use of any device by which missiles of any kind or description are hurled or projected by any explosive substance, or any manner use the same to the danger or annoyance of any person or injury to property.


B.1.No person shall possess or discharge a paint ball gun or instrument of any kind which may throw or project paint balls or similar projectiles on city owned or controlled property or property zoned or designated as open space or parkland, without a permit issued by or written agreement with the city granting permission to do so at a specified location.


2.No person shall possess, in a vehicle, a loaded paintball gun or a loaded instrument of any kind which may throw or project paintballs or similar projectiles and no person shall, from a vehicle, discharge a paintball gun, or instrument of any kind which may throw or project paintballs or similar projectiles. (Ord. 983 § 2, 2003: prior code § 9944.1)

[bishmasterb]

A.No person within the corporate limits of the city shall discharge any rifle, shotgun, pistol, cannon or any instrument of any kind, character or description which may throw or project bullets or missiles of any kind to any distance, by means of an elastic force or any explosive substance. No person shall make use of any device by which missiles of any kind or description are hurled or projected by any explosive substance, or any manner use the same to the danger or annoyance of any person or injury to property.

That seems to outlaw dart guns, rubber bands and possibly squirt guns (depending on how you define "elastic force").

Silly law.

[Eric]

I grew up using the American River Parkway as both a cyclist and pedestrian. The bikers use the right lane and walkers use the left shoulder. When riding & you're about to pass another cyclist, you say loudly, "On your left" as you approach and then you pass on that side. Having used those trails for years and years I'd say that easily 90% of people I encountered followed the same passing rules & 99% of people ride & walk on the correct sides... Also, as a motor vehicle driver entering a river access area & crossing a bike path, it's common courtesy to stop and wait, allowing all bikers to go & it's absolutely clear. You're basically on their turf at that point. Imagine you've been riding for hours & some jerk is going to make you stop so they can drive in front of you? that doesn't fly...

[Terry]

I grew up using the American River Parkway as both a cyclist and pedestrian. The bikers use the right lane and walkers use the left shoulder. When riding & you're about to pass another cyclist, you say loudly, "On your left" as you approach and then you pass on that side. Having used those trails for years and years I'd say that easily 90% of people I encountered followed the same passing rules & 99% of people ride & walk on the correct sides... Also, as a motor vehicle driver entering a river access area & crossing a bike path, it's common courtesy to stop and wait, allowing all bikers to go & it's absolutely clear. You're basically on their turf at that point. Imagine you've been riding for hours & some jerk is going to make you stop so they can drive in front of you? that doesn't fly...

Read the previous posts - it's acknowledged that Folsom trails have different rules than the parkway trail. Folsom trails have signs posted saying bikes yield to all other users.

[FolLN]

I grew up using the American River Parkway as both a cyclist and pedestrian. The bikers use the right lane and walkers use the left shoulder. When riding & you're about to pass another cyclist, you say loudly, "On your left" as you approach and then you pass on that side. Having used those trails for years and years I'd say that easily 90% of people I encountered followed the same passing rules & 99% of people ride & walk on the correct sides... Also, as a motor vehicle driver entering a river access area & crossing a bike path, it's common courtesy to stop and wait, allowing all bikers to go & it's absolutely clear. You're basically on their turf at that point. Imagine you've been riding for hours & some jerk is going to make you stop so they can drive in front of you? that doesn't fly...

If I am not mistaken, where motor vehicle traffic crosses the bike path, there are four stop signs. Why do bicyclists feel they do not need to stop at these stop signs? Why is the driver of the car a jerk?

[Orangetj]

This happens on city streets as well. I very rarely see bicyclists observe stop signs at intersections, stop to wait for pedestrians to cross crosswalks, stop before turning right, etc. I have nothing against bicyclists, but if they are going to ride on roadways, they need to observe the same rules as all other drivers.

Of course....plenty of car drivers don't observe stop signs, too.

[Eric]

If I am not mistaken, where motor vehicle traffic crosses the bike path, there are four stop signs. Why do bicyclists feel they do not need to stop at these stop signs? Why is the driver of the car a jerk?

Like I said, it's just common courtesy. Try letting cyclists go thru next time & you'll see how much they appreciate it. Or, try riding 30 miles and have to come to a complete stop on the bike trail because someone in a car can't wait 2 seconds.

[Terry]

Like I said, it's just common courtesy. Try letting cyclists go thru next time & you'll see how much they appreciate it. Or, try riding 30 miles and have to come to a complete stop on the bike trail because someone in a car can't wait 2 seconds.

If you're referring to a four-way stop on a street where bike lanes are present, those in the bike lane are required to stop just as if they are a vehicle. So, no, it's not common courtesy, it's the law that cyclists obey the rules of the road just as vehicles do.