jjafterdark

From march to Memorial Day, the number of trail users went through the roof. There is no doubt the trails were busier than I had ever seen.

After MDW, numbers dropped off sharply, and on many days, the paths now seem more abandoned than ever.

My hypothesis was that people are feeling less concerned about whatever, and were traveling out of town more frequently, watering down the numbers. However, I doubt people are vacationing out of town mon to wed for example. Of course there are significantly more people out when the weather is really nice and on weekends, but those numbers are nowhere near what I saw during the week in prior months.

I enjoyed seeing the throngs out getting some exercise. Are you all seeing similar? I wonder if people just went back to old habits of staying in and watching tv or Netflix or playing video games after a trial run of a couple of months of exercise? This doesn't make sense to me as the weather is now a lot nice than in march or even April.

I may just have to start asking people.

hillyman

They're all in getting their new Walmart bikes repaired after riding 10 mi or so

jjafterdark

No doubt I'm seeing a lot of junk bikes out there.

ofajen

Depending on the region, perhaps some people who were forced to stay home from work and had more flexibility to exercise are back in the office and busy there during the day.

Otto

jjafterdark

No, I'm talking in the evenings, 5 to 8 PM.

But you're right with restaurants and a few other businesses opening up, some people are returning to work who were previously free in the evenings. Even though business is light during the week, with businesses "reopening" at least some people have to be at work in the evenings even if there are relatively few customers.

freeranger

I don't know about the weekends (avoid the mup then), but during the week, there are lots less on it here. People are getting back to work, shopping, going to restaurants, other "normal" activities are starting up-even if with some restrictions. And it's getting hotter (at least here) also. Those who weren't riders pre-virus may not be continuing to ride now, since there are other things to do.

indyfabz

You and I must live in different universes. As for the evening hours, more people than usual may have more flexibility to ride during the morning and early afternoon. I know I often do right now

BNSF

Paths are still crowded here. Crazy busy.

caloso

I've avoided the MUPs as much as possible this spring. It's been a zoo.

Metieval

start looking at craigslist for good deals on bicycles, and toilet paper too!

Pratt

Maybe they have been lurking here and reading about all the problems on MUPs

skidder

The local MUP here was crowded before the lockdowns, crowded during it, and is still crowded now that restrictions are being relaxed. I usually ride early AM before the crowds come out around mid-morning, and its still quite calm at that time.

Mulberry20

It is the same in Manhattan. Several weeks ago the 6 mile loop in Central Park was teaming with riders, good ones and bad ones. Herds of people walking bikes up Harlem Hill. All this week it has been empty despite perfect weather. CitiBikes in fewer and fewer numbers. Thank god.

blakcloud

Here in Toronto there hasn't been a drop. Even tonight I went for a bike ride and it was the most crowded I have ever seen. This was between 4:30-6:30. Maybe it is geographically specific.

Flip Flop Rider

With time off of work and good warm weather, people who I've never seen exercising before were suddenly out and about. As we all know, it's easy to start a work-out/exercise routine, but difficult to maintain. Lol, you/we guys are out there everyday rain or shine, and not many can or even want to match that

Troul 

I'd be lying if I said the MUPs & roads were less used currently. I've shifted my ride times as much as I can, yet it is busy no matter what time I am out. The next few weeks it usually slows down from folks heading out to there camping areas, but I do not feel that'll be the case this year.

zen_

Dropped off dramatically where I live probably due to the heat, and people slowly going back to work. Maybe some people that tried recommitting to exercise gave up too, but who knows.

It was nice to see more people out (that were not in groups). However, despite my efforts to slow down, and be patient with novice and less-than-courteous trail users, it was getting really frustrating using the trails there for awhile. I had one crash due to an unleashed dog, and had to yell at quite a few other people with unleashed dogs, and kids that were riding on the wrong side of the path coming at me. After the crash I seriously considered to stop using the trails altogether, and to bike out out of town to the gravel on roads only, or to drive out and start past the idiots, but then it died down.

Nyah

Speaking for myself, the reason I haven't been using MUPs is because they are packed with walkers. I'd rather ride fast on streets with cars than slow and "On your left!"ing (OYLing) all the time.

sdmc530

Ours is insanely busy. Most traffic it has had in years...I hope it ends soon. MUP is a no go on the weekends for certain, during the week its not terrible.

Troul 

I find myself still doing that when on the road. Same result happens. They swerve to the left, looking right, then aimlessly zigzag in the lane. Meanwhile, I end up going over into the other lane when traffic is clear.

jjafterdark

There's certainly been no drop-off on weekends, that's for sure. It's always been crowded but seems far more crowded than before.

I must've passed at least 4 dozen or more cyclists: there are very few experienced cyclists riding. I passed several groups 4 or 5x as I stopped for sightseeing whereas they kept riding.

Kabuki12

In Southern California multi use paths are very frustrating for cyclists. Even with painted stripes for separation zones , people ignore them and walk three abreast with strollers , dogs on retractable leashes extended out 15’ , or parents who think this is an excellent place to let their kids learn how to roller skate by taking up the whole lane. I stopped using them and have been much happier on the road.