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#1 bookwom

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Posted 16 May 2010 - 11:15 AM

When I'm walking on the paved bike path, I'm careful to walk on the side and keep an eye open for bicycles, because I know I'm on your turf.

However, the dirt trail between the paved bike trail and Lake Natoma is a multi-use trail. Meaning you have to learn to share. There will be walkers, there will be dogs, there will be other bikers on a narrow, winding trail. So, don't go careening around corners. And, just because you didn't hit the little girl this time, doesn't make it OK.
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#2 Deb aka Resume Lady

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Posted 16 May 2010 - 11:35 AM

Which trails are only bike trails? I thought they were all multi-use trails.
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#3 ducky

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Posted 16 May 2010 - 02:25 PM

QUOTE (Deb B @ May 16 2010, 12:35 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Which trails are only bike trails? I thought they were all multi-use trails.


They are multi-use trails. It seems like this happen every time this year when the trails get crowded.

Sorry to hear of your bad experience, bookworm. You have just as much right to use those trails safely as anyone riding a bike. Glad your little one was okay.

#4 The Average Joe

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Posted 16 May 2010 - 02:47 PM

Since cycles are considered "vehicles," aren't they required to yield to pedestrians?
As both a cyclist and hiker, I have to say there are an awful lot of rude cyclists in Folsom...

Not sure if it is a numbers game due to more cyclists in general, or if there are more here that feel "entitled". Seems more like the latter to me...

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#5 MrsTuffPaws

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Posted 16 May 2010 - 03:25 PM

The rules of the trails should be posted more frequently. I walked the trails for years before I ever saw a sign that explained that pedestrians must walk on the dirt, on the left hand side of the trail (except when dangerous). It wasn't until I was on the American River Trail closer towards Sac did I ever see that posted. Until then, I think I haphazardly strolled the trail on either side, on both dirt and paved, getting out of the way of others when necessary.

http://www.folsomtrails.org/?p=589

#6 Deb aka Resume Lady

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Posted 16 May 2010 - 03:41 PM

Lots of people who use the trails think they own the trails, and it isn't only cyclists.

1) I see people with dogs that are off leash. They can't control their pets fast enough for an approaching bicyclist.

2) I see people with dogs on leash, but the leash is at full length and the owner seems oblivious to approaching bicyclists. Some of them are wearing headsets to listen to music (as if the sound of chirping birds isn't pretty enough) and they don't hear you announcing that you're approaching and about to pass.

3) I see people walking in small groups and they span the entire width of the trail. They're talking or laughing so loudly that they don't hear you announcing that you're about to pass.

Everyone should use more consideration when using the trails. But I suspect that the people who need to hear this aren't open to hearing it.
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#7 eVader

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Posted 16 May 2010 - 03:52 PM

Rick Kushman from SacBee published at least twice the rules of the trail for the parkway but still see walkers, strollers, dogs on the paved trail oblivious to cyclists. Also see cyclists with a holier than thou attitude determined to run over someone with their $5K carbon fibre bike.

Those dirt trails are fun to ride hard and fast but agree since they are multi use, need to be cautious or if you want to ride that way, go to Salmon Falls, Sweetwater or the other mostly mtn bike areas.

Most of the time though, it is a nice time on the trail be it cycling or walking.

#8 asbestoshills

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Posted 16 May 2010 - 04:17 PM

And trust me, if u hit me or my kids, u will be sued! I can't stand the bicycle mentality of "me first and I'm going fast so get out of my way attitude!" If u want to go over a certain speed, get the hell off of the multi-use trail and find somewhere to ride where children and pets and the elderly aren't present. ALSO, be mindful that there are people with hearing loss or like the other poster said they have headsets. Don't shout, "Bike" b/c just because u say it doesn't mean I heard it. Use caution...They really should ticket out these club bikers with reckless riding in some cases and speeding.
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#9 bookwom

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Posted 16 May 2010 - 04:47 PM

QUOTE (Deb B @ May 16 2010, 04:41 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
1) I see people with dogs that are off leash. They can't control their pets fast enough for an approaching bicyclist.



I actually had one woman tell me it was ok to have her dog off leash on the dirt trail, that the paved trail was for leashed dog. I was so shocked that I had no time to tell her that she was completely totally wrong, that where dogs are allowed on state rec areas, they must be on a leash.

I also had another dog owner whose dog was OFF leash to watch out, because his dog didn't like other dogs. My sweet, friendly dog was on a leash, and his was off. Go figure.
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#10 Redone

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Posted 16 May 2010 - 07:18 PM

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

#11 ducky

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Posted 16 May 2010 - 07:43 PM

QUOTE (Redone @ May 16 2010, 08:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Bicyclists routinely run stop signs in Folsom at speeds above 25 MPH.
Empire Ranch and Broadstone. Broadstone and Serpa. etc.


Yeah, they do. I've had the experience of lawfully entering an intersection of Stafford and Natoma Street on a green light and having to slam on my breaks to avoid a splatting a spandex-laden L. Armstrong wannabe running the red. In thanks for not making him a hood ornament he flashes me the bird. Lucky for him, my kid was in the car and I had to take the high road.

So far this year I have to say I've had nothing but good experiences on the trail. Went for a short ride today and ran into nothing but friendly people saying hello, pedestrians and bicyclists alike. We have great trails in Folsom and I aim to enjoy them and not let some bad apples spoil it.

#12 Oldschooler81

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Posted 16 May 2010 - 08:19 PM

Kinda off the subject, but... I never quite understood why pedestrians are supposed to walk against traffic (if there's no sidewalk), while bicyclists are supposed to ride with it?

It's been years since I've gone biking (even as a kid, it was usually just around the neighborhood), but I'd think it would be really dangerous to not be able to see cars behind you so easily. All it would take to lead to tragedy would be a driver swerving by mistake while they're on a cellphone or something. sad.gif

#13 cw68

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Posted 16 May 2010 - 08:36 PM

QUOTE (Oldschooler81 @ May 16 2010, 09:19 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Kinda off the subject, but... I never quite understood why pedestrians are supposed to walk against traffic (if there's no sidewalk), while bicyclists are supposed to ride with it?

It's been years since I've gone biking (even as a kid, it was usually just around the neighborhood), but I'd think it would be really dangerous to not be able to see cars behind you so easily. All it would take to lead to tragedy would be a driver swerving by mistake while they're on a cellphone or something. sad.gif

From what I understand, there are a number of reasons why cyclists should ride with traffic. The main one being that if they ride INTO traffic and hit a car, they are drastically increasing the power of the impact. The car's going 30 MPH, they are going 15 MPH, that's 45 MPH. Bam

Another reason is for when cars are backing out of their driveways - they expect vehicular traffic from the oncoming vehicular traffic lane.

Lastly, when making a right turn, they'd have to cross the oncoming traffic lane AND the lane of traffic going the same direction as them.

I'm sure there are other reasons, too, but those are the ones I remember.

#14 knittychick

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Posted 16 May 2010 - 08:47 PM

Bicyclists are entitled to a lane of traffic as follows from the California Driver Handbook:

BICYCLES

Bicyclists on public streets have the same rights and responsibilities as automobile and motorcycle drivers. Respect the right-of- way of bicyclists because they are entitled to share the road with other drivers. Here are some critical points for drivers and bicyclists to remember:


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#15 Steve Heard

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Posted 17 May 2010 - 07:06 AM

QUOTE (MrsTuffPaws @ May 16 2010, 04:25 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
The rules of the trails should be posted more frequently. I walked the trails for years before I ever saw a sign that explained that pedestrians must walk on the dirt, on the left hand side of the trail (except when dangerous). It wasn't until I was on the American River Trail closer towards Sac did I ever see that posted. Until then, I think I haphazardly strolled the trail on either side, on both dirt and paved, getting out of the way of others when necessary.

http://www.folsomtrails.org/?p=589


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.

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