89 replies to this topic

[knittychick]

Interesting, I had not heard of a design speed for a bike/walking trails. Perhaps substandard for a “bike highway” but not for a trail…I like all the curves. My type of use on the trail, whether I’m riding my bike or walking, is for the nature and casual exercise. I'm not sure if my use is in the majority or minority. I think the terrain also lends itself to curves rather than slicing a straight line through the hills and trees although a straight line would improve the sight lines.

I understand commuters and those in training for a race probably feel differently.

[tsukiji]

Maybe we need 'traffic calming measures' on the 'multi-purpose' trails too.

[Bill Z]

Interesting, I had not heard of a design speed for a bike/walking trails. Perhaps substandard for a “bike highway” but not for a trail…I like all the curves. My type of use on the trail, whether I’m riding my bike or walking, is for the nature and casual exercise. I'm not sure if my use is in the majority or minority. I think the terrain also lends itself to curves rather than slicing a straight line through the hills and trees although a straight line would improve the sight lines.

I understand commuters and those in training for a race probably feel differently.

I agree with you, I'm out there for mild exercise, enjoying the beauty of nature, and riding with my family. We like to stop often to snack on blackberries as well when they are ripe.

[Steve Heard]

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.

I think the misunderstandings come from the fact that ARP rules apply from Hazel west, and a lot of folks don't know that.

On that section, the shoulders are wide, flat, maintained and generally 'paved' with what appears to be decomposed granite. In contrast, the trail from Hazel east often has little to know shoulder, can be wider or narrower, flat or uneven, or even sloped away from the trail, and covered with rocks and dog doo.

Also, we have trails throughout town which are not part of ARP.

[eVader]

I think the misunderstandings come from the fact that ARP rules apply from Hazel west, and a lot of folks don't know that.

On that section, the shoulders are wide, flat, maintained and generally 'paved' with what appears to be decomposed granite. In contrast, the trail from Hazel east often has little to know shoulder, can be wider or narrower, flat or uneven, or even sloped away from the trail, and covered with rocks and dog doo.

Also, we have trails throughout town which are not part of ARP.

Agree shoulders are narrower and more curves but the rules for the ARP seem to apply to the entire trail as the links above do not call out Folsom has their own rules, Folsom Parks and Recreation does not mention special rules or any for that matter on their site and users of the trail come from all over the region (El Dorado, Sacramento, Yuba, Solano and other counties) that few will know the boundary lines so even if there is a change, no one but a few know of it.

ARP rules cover Folsom's terrain and narrow trails with peds to walk facing traffic, on the shoulder if available and for cyclists to ride smart, cautious and maintain control of their bike just like a person walking their dog on a leash is expected to do.

[old soldier]

if all bikers learned to use that "on your left" warning it would be great...it may be the faster the biker is the ruder they get. some one told me once that runners were happier than serious bikers and unhappy people some times are rude...

it would be interesting to see how many rude bikers drive BMW's

if only the folsom pd modor cops could hit the bike trail, the problem would be solved in a week

[SacDJ]

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 jog on the trails down by the hatchery as well and usually stay on the dirt but even there the bicycles sometimes run you down. Common courtesy should be the rule but sometimes a bad apple gets a bike.

[MSgt]

if all bikers learned to use that "on your left" warning it would be great...it may be the faster the biker is the ruder they get. some one told me once that runners were happier than serious bikers and unhappy people some times are rude...

it would be interesting to see how many rude bikers drive BMW's

if only the folsom pd modor cops could hit the bike trail, the problem would be solved in a week

I really appreciate it when bikers say "on the left" as they pass me (I hear it a lot). It makes me aware of their presence. I always reply with a thank you.

[Steve Heard]

Agree shoulders are narrower and more curves but the rules for the ARP seem to apply to the entire trail as the links above do not call out Folsom has their own rules, Folsom Parks and Recreation does not mention special rules or any for that matter on their site and users of the trail come from all over the region (El Dorado, Sacramento, Yuba, Solano and other counties) that few will know the boundary lines so even if there is a change, no one but a few know of it.

ARP rules cover Folsom's terrain and narrow trails with peds to walk facing traffic, on the shoulder if available and for cyclists to ride smart, cautious and maintain control of their bike just like a person walking their dog on a leash is expected to do.

That's the point. It seems to some that the rules are the same and seems to others that they are different, and others believe that the rules of ARP apply to the trails along Lake Natoma and Folsom Lake, but not to the Humbug-Willow Creek and other trails around town.

It seems there's a need for some clarification and signage.

[ducky]

Seems to me if they just put up a "Be Considerate To Others" sign and everybody followed it there wouldn't need to be so many rules.

[Steve Heard]

Seems to me if they just put up a "Be Considerate To Others" sign and everybody followed it there wouldn't need to be so many rules.

Seems to be true, but because of the rules and the misunderstanding of them, some people seem to think people are being inconsiderate when they think they are just minding their own business and enjoying the trail.

Come to think of it, it seems that if we were considerate to each other at all times, we wouldn't need any laws about any thing! Seems to make sense.

[knittychick]

Kind of like the "Take Turns" sign at the Rainbow Bridge - stating the obvious, but it works!

Thank you retired Public Works employee Danny Olson for coming up with the idea - it makes me smile every time I see it!

[MrsTuffPaws]

Kind of like the "Take Turns" sign at the Rainbow Bridge - stating the obvious, but it works!

Thank you retired Public Works employee Danny Olson for coming up with the idea - it makes me smile every time I see it!

I love that sign too. It also makes me smile.

[nomad]

I love that sign too. It also makes me smile.

Best traffic sign ever, simple and very effective!

[BIG PAKO]

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....

Thanks for the tip... I was wondering about that. I started trail running back in November, but now that the Summer is close I started wondering about those snakes, I know they're all over & how dangerous they are, my dog was bitten by one in Negro Bar area 4 years ago. So I guess going out at 5:00 AM ish is the safest way to avoid these critters?