Rider interaction

[mn_ultra_guy]

I wanted to make a few comments about the riders I encountered yesterday on the path between Wirth Beach and 55. I was out walking with my wife while my boys (4 and 6) rode their bmx bikes on the riding path between 55 and Wirth Beach around 6:30 last night. I know as walkers, we have a path dedicated to ourselves, but we felt that since our boys were learning to ride on a path, the best place would be the bike path. We had at least 6 riders pass us heading back to the beach who were more than gracious with comments like on your left, plenty of room and most slowed down as they passed our boys. We had 2 heading to the trails that were outright rude, they were riding the path as if it was a race course, hugging the center line at a high rate of speed which was well above the 10 MPH limit. I was out front trying to warn my wife and oncoming riders of the boys, so they could slow down and be prepared for them and I when I told these riders "Hi, there are 2 little boys up ahead learning to ride, so please slow down." I received from one the comment "This is not the place to learn to ride, so get off" and the offer acted as if I said nothing to him. Not to be too preachy, but remember when we all get old and cannot ride anymore, the next generation will need to protect what we started and the attitude of the 2 mentioned above will remain in peoples minds long after the other 6. I want to commend the riders who were more than friendly to us and warn the other 2 that attitudes like yours will get you banned from places like Wirth, since my wife is an avid road rider, but does not MTB and she was very upset at the attitude of the 2 rude riders and made the comment "That if they cannot wait until the off road trail to race, then maybe there should not be an of road trail to go to!"
Just my 2 cents.
Devin Quince:mad:

[berrywise]

Alright I'll bite :)

I'm not giving these guys a free pass by any means but do you think that maybe there might be better places to teach your kids to ride? I'd suggest a quiet parking lot, maybe at a school or church where there isn't a lot of traffic (motorized or cyclists).

People can get going on those trails on a pretty good clip and I would feel terrible if someone hit one of your kids. Sorry to hear that you had to put up with some jerks.

[Danimal]

We all should be able to use the trails, paved or not. Simply show some consideration to our fellow riders, ALL OF THEM. Big and small. They are the past, present , and future of biking.

As far as the two arrogant b*^*&$#s that think they own the roads or trails, we need to remember there are people out there who will never find the love of a woman. No matter how hard they try and thus we must all deal with that pent up frustration at times.

[Nickel]

It does stink but if you can't get common courtesy from people when you are driving (road rage), I can see it translating to those maniacs on bikes. I have gotten cut off and almost hit by other bikers because I stop at stop signs and lights. I admit to riding faster than 10mph, but if there is high volume on the paths I take it on the road. And I always try to say Hello :D

[Paul Swenson]

2 out of 8 seems about right for current jerk statistics.

There's a reason the bike paths are 10 mph. It's to insure little kids have a safe place to ride. If you want to tear it up ride on the road.

[high life]

word...
There are plenty of places to ride 25 MPH other than bike paths (like 8 ft away on the actual road). For some reason, there are a handful of YAHOOs out there that must have missed the memo regarding the reschedule of the BIKE PATH WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS.

[mn_ultra_guy]

Sorry, just to clarify that my boys do know how to ride, what I am trying to do is teach them how to do it on a path that is used by other users of all types and I cannot do this in an empty parking lot. I appreciate the support and feedback and I agree that if someone wants to be a racer, then hit the road. I ride the Theo road from the Glenwood intersection upto the 394 crossing everyday on my commute and I use the road, since I can and will ride faster than the 10 MPH limit. One thing I wonder is if the racer types that ride the paths are not comfortable riding at high speeds with traffic.
Thanks for all the replys and ride safe,
Devin

[Pete Hamer]

I realy dislike those people that act like they are racing on the bike path. If you're in a hurry use the road. I live near the Cedar trail and use it to commute and ride with my wife. The paved paths have a speed limit and they're used by families, old people, walkers etc.

[ebrandel]

I think this all sounds like a good argument for conceal and carry, but that's just me.

[TML]

As far as the two arrogant b*^*&$#s that think they own the roads or trails, we need to remember there are people out there who will never find the love of a woman. No matter how hard they try and thus we must all deal with that pent up frustration at times.


:laugh::laugh: Nice! Thanks for the morning laugh Danny. . .

[Fast1]

sounds like there were 4 kids on the path not just the two that were with you.

Anyone... ANYONE,, that rides the bike paths thinking they are something by their racing antics .. would be no different than a child.

If you have got some power and want to use.. get on the road.. its safer and doesn't interfere with the real intent and speed limits of the path. Plus they could allways run into a few challenges out on the road that may bring them back to reality by some of the adults in the cycling community ...LOL

[crux]

Being restricted to 10MPH is a joke for any bicycle. In the same breath yeilding the right of way to walkers or tikes on bikes should be a priority. Always attemptto slow down and let people know that I'm passing on a cycle and 99.9% of the time we get along just fine. I know that if we wish to ride faster than the aloted 10 MPH we can go out and play in traffic as second class individuals, but then we are placing cyclist at risk.

Hope that next time you will encounter riders with a bit better manners and that your two boys will be able to hit the trail with you soon.