89 replies to this topic

[supermom]

I recall this being discussed on the forum years ago. Folsomtrails.org has no authority or right to make the rules. It is a website developed by Friends of the Parkway. The rules posted on the trails outside of Folsom are NOT the same as the Folsom trail rules.

This misunderstanding, IMO, is the cause of some of the frustration over the trail use. The bicyclists think the pedestrians are supposed to be off on the dirt on the left side of the trail, which is not so. The city developed the paved trails for all to use.

I think it is good practice to run on the left side whenever possible, and I run on the shoulder when it is available, flat, and not full of rocks pot holes. I often switch left to right on winding sections, as I've almost been hit head-on by speeding bikers hugging the turns.

I do ride my bike on the trails as well, and I'm not going fast enough to be bothered by pedestrians. My only issues have come from dogs which are off-leash or when the leash is too long.

I will not walk on the dirt or run in the dirt, in my running shoes. I use those trails to exercise and not have to compete with car fumes. I do not like getting little rocks and sand in my running shoes.

however, when I plan on running on dirt trails, I wear the right pair of shoes (nice traction).

[ducky]

I will not walk on the dirt or run in the dirt, in my running shoes. I use those trails to exercise and not have to compete with car fumes. I do not like getting little rocks and sand in my running shoes.

however, when I plan on running on dirt trails, I wear the right pair of shoes (nice traction).

I know I've said this before, but I won't run in the narrow little dirt part by the big weeds in the summer because of my fear of rattlesnakes. I do move as far to the side as I can and use stevethedad's method to keep out of the way.

[supermom]

I know I've said this before, but I won't run in the narrow little dirt part by the big weeds in the summer because of my fear of rattlesnakes. I do move as far to the side as I can and use stevethedad's method to keep out of the way.

Yes, I switch to running, jogging or walking in the AM during the summer months, because then the little snakeys have had all night to cool down. Hopefully they are still sluggy and burrowed deep, at 5 am.


oh, and I do get nervous even being on the trail, in august or so...

Seems like every year, I hear someone scream..SNAKE!!!!......and off a rattler slithers and bikers crash...and...worse you see an old lady running down the trail....

yikes....

[Bill Z]

I know I've said this before, but I won't run in the narrow little dirt part by the big weeds in the summer because of my fear of rattlesnakes. I do move as far to the side as I can and use stevethedad's method to keep out of the way.

I agree with you and disagree with the recommendation people walk on the shoulders (i.e. dirt). One, as you said, rattlesnakes can be hidden in the grass and on the dirt you can be easily within striking distance. Two, the paved path is to reduce erosion, why walk in the dirt creating erosion when there is a perfectly good paved path to walk on.

[chris v]

I ride fast on the trails but am very cautious at the same time. I always announce "on your left" loudly, and well before I approach people. The one thing that does bug the living crap out of me though, is people walking 6 wide across both lanes of traffic. Happened twice on my Saturday ride. First group couldn't figure out which side to go to, so there was almost a collision. Then words where said by them... not me. Trust me, I might be wearing cycling gear, but I will still kick your a$$ if you approach me like they did. Everyone just needs to be polite. It's not that hard. Otherwise you'll get your a$$ handed to you by a guy in spandex.

[Howdy]

Bicyclists routinely run stop signs in Folsom at speeds above 25 MPH.
Empire Ranch and Broadstone. Broadstone and Serpa. etc.

Heck you ought to see the big pack that comes through the Sac Metro Airport every Wed or Thur night around 6pm. 60 guys running stop signs and hogging up the road and cloverleafs.

[4thgenFolsomite]

there are also different rules for the trails on county versus state property. the bike trail from sacramento to hazel avenue is on county property. from hazel avenue to Folsom Lake and on both sides of Lake Natoma, trails are shared and walkers are entitled to walk on the paved trail.

I walk with a friend on some mornings for exercise and find that the courtesy of bikers decreases as it gets closer to the Eppies race. they all think they're lance armstrong. i have had them yell at us, "get in the dirt!!" my friend's husband is a long distance bike rider so we're careful and aware of bike issues. we always walk in the left lane and never cover more than one lane, so there is always a lane free. i won't walk in the dirt for the reasons everyone has addressed: rattlesnakes, uneven ground surface, etc. I had a severe hip break a few years back and my injury is irritated if I walk more than a mile on dirt or sand.

I also have friends with small children and elderly parents/friends who won't walk down on the trails because of the behavior of the bikers. if they want to speed, they should stick to the bike lanes along roadways that are provided for them everywhere. on other trails, they need to learn to share.

[Malamute]

I ride fast on the trails but am very cautious at the same time. I always announce "on your left" loudly, and well before I approach people. The one thing that does bug the living crap out of me though, is people walking 6 wide across both lanes of traffic. Happened twice on my Saturday ride. First group couldn't figure out which side to go to, so there was almost a collision. Then words where said by them... not me. Trust me, I might be wearing cycling gear, but I will still kick your a$$ if you approach me like they did. Everyone just needs to be polite. It's not that hard. Otherwise you'll get your a$$ handed to you by a guy in spandex.

I bite spandex

[Dave Burrell]

I just wish people would use common sense instead of needing rules.

The trails are for EVERYONE, not just bikers, not just walkers... the right thing to do is be respectful of one another and be polite on the trails.

IMO, walkers should stay to the right just like normal traffic would. Bikers should approach walkers with caution (that means slow the hell down) and pass to the left after giving an audible warning that you are approaching the walkers.

It's that simple

Now if a biker thinks he should have the right to fly like a bat out of hell on all the trails and has priority over walkers - he's got his head up his behind and he's completely WRONG. For you speeding bikers, man up and ride on the roads that were meant for speed, the trails are NOT the Indy 500 and if you don't like having pedestrian obstacles then get your stupid arse off the trails!

[Steve Heard]

I think signage would solve a lot of problems.

[eVader]

there are also different rules for the trails on county versus state property. the bike trail from sacramento to hazel avenue is on county property. from hazel avenue to Folsom Lake and on both sides of Lake Natoma, trails are shared and walkers are entitled to walk on the paved trail.

I walk with a friend on some mornings for exercise and find that the courtesy of bikers decreases as it gets closer to the Eppies race. they all think they're lance armstrong. i have had them yell at us, "get in the dirt!!" my friend's husband is a long distance bike rider so we're careful and aware of bike issues. we always walk in the left lane and never cover more than one lane, so there is always a lane free. i won't walk in the dirt for the reasons everyone has addressed: rattlesnakes, uneven ground surface, etc. I had a severe hip break a few years back and my injury is irritated if I walk more than a mile on dirt or sand.

I also have friends with small children and elderly parents/friends who won't walk down on the trails because of the behavior of the bikers. if they want to speed, they should stick to the bike lanes along roadways that are provided for them everywhere. on other trails, they need to learn to share.

Can you site a reference that the rules change once inside Folsom's boundaries?

The ARP site trail rules are posted http://www.msa2.sacc...egulations.aspx and last year at least twice Rick Kushman of the Sac Bee posted a great column explaining different scenerios (cycling, walking, walking in group, with stroller, roller blader, etc) but their search feature is horrible and can't find it. Found it - Hit the Parkway Page 1 and Page 2

Steve is right, signage on the trail would certainly help -- could be a great Eagle Scout project.

[Malamute]

I think signage would solve a lot of problems.

and speed limits

Doesn't the historic bridge have a speed limit, like you can't drive faster than a cow can walk?

[chris v]

and speed limits

Right of way signs and speed limit signs are on the bike trail.

[Folsom_Blues]

The real problem is that the trail is sub-standard. They designed the trail to 15 MPH but California has a minimum design speed of 40 kph (25 mph) for bike trails.

"Design Speed. The proper design speed for a bike path is dependent on the expected type of use and on the terrain. The minimum design speed for bike paths shall be 40 km/h..."

Highway Design Manual

I think if they did this, we wouldn't have the poor sight lines that we do at some points.

[MSgt]

Most local bicyclists know that weekends on our bike trails are crazy. I almost got hit with a fishing pole on Saturday afternoon (the young man was walking with the pole across the oncoming side of the path). You will find ladies talking in the middle of the path pushing baby strollers and mad bicyclists who think they own the trail. Some serious riders won’t even consider riding our bike trails on weekends. I love living here with all the bike trails, we are very fortunate.