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A Rant About Bicyclists - and a Question too.

By
Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Capital Properties DC AB15253

Yesterday we took a ride out along a "country road" to go to the C&O Canal for a walk with our dog. Now, actually very little in Bethesda/Potomac is really a country road, and this scenic path, MacArthur Blvd., has houses along most of its length, and a bike path, which starts at the county line in Montgomery County and runs out to Great Falls to the national park there.

I remember when the bike path was built which was probably 10 years ago at very likely great expense to the taxpayers in the county. It is probably 4 feet wide, well maintained, and level. It runs along the road, which is pretty well trafficked and only two lanes.

I acknowledge that the "bike path" is also used by walkers and dog walkers, so the bikers use the road and not the bike path. That gives rise to my rant and my question.

Why do bikers not use the bike path? Why do they ride 3 feet from the edge of the road, going with the traffic, slowing it down as they huff and puff along in those Euro biking outfits (what a visual treat from the rear that is!)

Can someone explain to me what the reasoning is behind these new road hogs?

 

Comments (13)

Amanda Christiansen
Christiansen Group Realty (260)704-0843 - Fort Wayne, IN
Christiansen Group Realty

I have had the same question MANY times.  I kind of want to reach out and smack them in the back of the head while we drive by!  I am a bicyclist but I stay on the path.  Maybe it's just all the walkers that break the bikers rhythm so in turn they break the driver's rhythm!  LOL

May 11, 2009 01:57 AM
Goodbye Active Rain
Out of Real Estate

The use the road so they do not have to spend their entire bike ride dodging people that are walking and walking their dogs.

May 11, 2009 01:57 AM
Lise Howe
Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC
Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

Tony - I am sure you are being rational - but I like Jared's approach better.

May 11, 2009 02:02 AM
Ethan Carlson
Advantage Lending Corp. - Rochester, MI
Licensed Loan Officer

Lol - I know exactly the situation you are talking about. There's a nice bike path on the side of a large main road here - on one side is beautiful woods, the other side ponds (the road is on this side as well further up). Yet it seems the all the Lance Armstrong wannabes ride along the road - so close that I swear their elbows must be in the right lane. This is also where all the shirtless joggers tend to congregate as well - such pleasant views! I really do not understand why people aren't using the bike path (which is paved even!) and would rather risk their lives by putting along the side of the busy road... 

May 11, 2009 02:12 AM
Ethan Carlson
Advantage Lending Corp. - Rochester, MI
Licensed Loan Officer

I realized I didn't answer your question - I would like to know the real answer too, but I think the world may just never know (just as the world may never know how many licks it takes to get to the center of a tootsie roll pop). My best guess is they believe they are above everyone else or want people to have to stare at them- "LOOK AT ME" type of people. I can see why runners MAY rather use the side of the road - the dirt may have less impact on their feet/joints than a cement trail, but I cannot for the life of me come up with an explanation for the bikers.

May 11, 2009 02:26 AM
Christianne O'Malley
Dickson Realty - Reno, NV
Exceptional Service - Delivering Results in Reno!

Well, they are not new. Haven't you ever been on Beach Drive on a Saturday or Sunday in the morning around 10am? There is a peleton (cluster of cyclists) riding down the road together and they take up the whole lane. That being said, they are entitled to use the road too and having to veer around those who walk pets who can be unpredictable at best when you're on a bike is nervewracking. As soon as other people began using the bike path for something other than bikes, it becomes hazardous to bikers. It's also very difficult to contend with pebbles that get kicked up by people's shoes and pets.

Just a different perspective for you...

May 11, 2009 02:37 AM
Darin Osenberg
Funky Quail Vintage - Nashville, TN

Hi there!

I couldnt wait to TRY and answer your question!  I am a mountain biker!  Not one of the sissy euro road bikers you are talking about!  I try to ride "off the path" as much as I can...and I find it laughable that people buy mountain bikes in the city and then put road tires on them!  That said.....

I used to LOVE to ride on bike paths, and when I can..>I still do!  I ride currently about 128 miles per week.  I have lost 41lbs and and in the best shape I have been in since probably college..and I am 45.

Anyway, people walking, and walking their dogs on a bike path...are VERY VERY rude to cyclists often times.  We have to CONSTANTLY slow down, speed up...go off the path thus destroying the grass...etc...THEN, we get dirty looks, yelled at , threatend...and alot of the time by older folks!~
I am even FORCED to say things like, "on your left", on your right", and then people get startled by me, cuz they have their stupid headphones on...and dont hear me..or, they feel they own the path...much like a TRUCKER feels like he "owns" the highway.

I know that I am going to sound like an ass here..but here goes.   The malls in the mornings are for older folks who want to walk.  The city sidewalks are for walkers, and dog walkers...not the bike path!

I would encourage you to lobby to have signs put up that the bike path is for biking, roller blading, skateboards and the like.  Pretty much anything with wheels that is not motorized.....Then, YOU will be in control.

Funny thing is that if I RODE on the sidewalk and someone got upset..I could actually get a TICKET for it as it is against the law in many areas!

Couldnt agree more!>>>irritating!

D

May 11, 2009 02:41 AM
Betina Foreman
WJK Realty - Austin, TX
Realtor, C.N.E., with WJK REALTY

i think the ones on the road must have an extra strong sense of entitlement and need to expose themselves to others and to the danger of the road. I say if the taxpayers paid to build a bike path, the bikes should be on it not the road. Be extra careful on this road & good luck!

May 11, 2009 02:42 AM
Ethan Carlson
Advantage Lending Corp. - Rochester, MI
Licensed Loan Officer

I think "bike path" is more of a generic term now, not meant to be taken literally - it is not JUST for bikes. The path I am speaking of is meant for everyone that wants to use it - unless the object is motorized. Bikers, rollerbladers, walkers, joggers, runners, unicyclists.......anyone. Slowing down and sharing is part of using it - eventually you are going to come across a situation you have to slow down to be courteous. I do agree with you about people with their headphones blaring occupying the whole path, however....they are quite annoying!

May 11, 2009 02:48 AM
TIM MONCRIEF
Tim Monciref - Austin, TX
Over 2,000 homes sold…..

It is a simple mindset of being a biker versus a non-bikers.  Bikers see it just the opposite as cars are a dangerous threat to their riding.  I don't get it and never will.  We see several bikers get killed here (Lance Armstrong country) on the highways.  There is a 2 lane highway with no shoulder and bikers love it because of the severe turns and steep hills.  We have white crosses all over the place for lost bikers.  Sad situation, but it is not changing here at all.  In San Diego, they have done a great job of creating bike paths, but here, it is a battle for the road.

May 11, 2009 03:44 AM
Dr. Stacey-Ann Baugh
Century 21 New Millennium - Upper Marlboro, MD
A doctor who makes house calls.

I had to chuckle at the mental image you created.  As a driver I am always nervous about bikers in the road because I would hate to hurt them with my car.  I can't figure out why they wouldn't use the bike path which should be so much safer for them.

May 11, 2009 05:30 AM
Pm D
None - Laurel, MT
Certified

I think bikers may ride on the road instead of the bike paths because they don't want to have to deal with us slower bikers that they may have to go around. LOL  It is very annoying though when you are driving a car and cannot get aroung a biker because of on coming traffic. My husband has many words to say to the bikers on the road as we pass them by.

Jul 05, 2009 04:58 PM
Pm D
None - Laurel, MT
Certified

Oh, I should mention that his many words are only said to me. He would never say anything to them. But, now I have him biking and I am finding I am constantly telling him to get out of the middle of the road. He thinks he owns it. So, I don't know what that all means. Ha!

Jul 05, 2009 05:01 PM