Scared To Cycle On Shared Bike Path. Thoughts?
04-28-24, 10:56 PM
#26
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I had a head on with a lycra clad trail warrior last year on the C&O canal towpath, they had pulled out to overtake the other members of their group despite the lead rider shouting that I was coming, no harm done as I landed in some bushes but they were a little cut up, still not as bad as the broken ribs I sustained a month later when I was rear ended by a car, there is some danger but I would say it is minimal and don't let it put you off riding bike paths, they are safer than roads.
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04-28-24, 11:21 PM
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Pretty much defensive riding for me then. Be careful in blind curves. Use mirrors when we stop, etc.
Last edited by Doc_Wui; 04-28-24 at 11:28 PM.
04-29-24, 12:53 AM
#28
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So you are conflating electric bicycles and e-mopeds. STOP THAT. Seriously I get that e-mopeds have been lumped in with pedal assist bicycles according to lawmakers who couldn't tell the difference between their heads and their rear ends but a bicycle cannot move forward without someone pedaling. A moped can be pedaled but has a throttle and that is what you are talking about.
And they are ridden like electric motorcycles.
John
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04-29-24, 05:35 AM
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A 750W e-motor can at least double the effective power of a strong recreational rider, triple that of an average rider. It can maintain this as long as the battery has juice, no wheezing after each climb. Regardless of whether the motor is controlled by pedals or throttle, "assist" is euphemistic and a trivialization.
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04-29-24, 05:52 AM
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Two things that give me confidence in traffic and on the MUPS:
A glasses- or helmet-mount mirror to easily see what's coming up behind.
An AirZound airhorn to announce my presence louder and farther than a bell.
A glasses- or helmet-mount mirror to easily see what's coming up behind.
An AirZound airhorn to announce my presence louder and farther than a bell.
04-29-24, 06:34 AM
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I am terrified of getting into a head on collision with the careless lyrca lance armstrong types riding in tandem, e-bikes, dirtbikes, electric unicycles, and scooters that just rip it along the trail.
Is my fear unrealistic, or can I get hurt colliding with them?
Is my fear unrealistic, or can I get hurt colliding with them?
My solution:
- Speed control -- Never, ever go faster than I'm capable of braking, when others are present on a path I'm using. Certainly means I'm taking longer along such segments. But it's certainly safer for all involved. Rapid closing rate can equate to severity of injuries.
- Pass only when safe, and only at a distance where the passing speed is unlikely to contribute to injuries even if that person goes sideways.
- Bell or other noise-maker -- To warn people I'm approaching, where I'm concerned they're meandering and unaware of their own "lane control" responsibility.
That said, occupied routes aren't IMO a good reason to refuse to use such routes. But it does require people to take responsibility for their contributions while there. Don't have much control over others on such routes, but I absolutely do have full control over my own actions, precautions.
04-29-24, 08:45 AM
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04-29-24, 08:53 AM
#33
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mup safety 201
we ensure all benches are properly secured before passing them - and announce our presence to ward off bear altercations
( bear altercations rarely end well )
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04-29-24, 09:20 AM
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04-29-24, 09:29 AM
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I don’t have a problem with that IF the trail is wide enough. We have some MUPs in my region that are very wide in places. What gets me more is when people stop in the right-of-way, sometimes effectively blocking it as if no one else is around.
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04-29-24, 09:32 AM
#36
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Hello everyone,
Because of work schedules, and a lack of a car, I only have access to one bike trail in Toronto.
I am terrified of getting into a head on collision with the careless lyrca lance armstrong types riding in tandem, e-bikes, dirtbikes, electric unicycles, and scooters that just rip it along the trail.
Is my fear unrealistic, or can I get hurt colliding with them? The point is I ride very carefully, but I cannot control if someone like this collides into me. This is the bike path I use, and these are the types of people I see on the path:
Apparently if you are a new user, you are not allowed to post links until you have made 10 posts - so please go to ****** cycling and search for the same title as this to see the video link. It would also be appreciated if you could post the links here.
I googled cyclist/cyclist collision and stumbled upon this youtube channel.
Apparently if you are a new user, you are not allowed to post links until you have made 10 posts - so please go to ****** cycling and search for the same title as this to see the video link. It would also be appreciated if you could post the links here.
Please have a look at the 7:00 and 8:55 markers.
I didn't know you could get this injured colliding into a cyclist. I have a family to support and cannot afford injury. They rely on me. I am also an avid runner and tennis player, so giving up cycling would not affect me too much. Please share your thoughts.
Because of work schedules, and a lack of a car, I only have access to one bike trail in Toronto.
I am terrified of getting into a head on collision with the careless lyrca lance armstrong types riding in tandem, e-bikes, dirtbikes, electric unicycles, and scooters that just rip it along the trail.
Is my fear unrealistic, or can I get hurt colliding with them? The point is I ride very carefully, but I cannot control if someone like this collides into me. This is the bike path I use, and these are the types of people I see on the path:
Apparently if you are a new user, you are not allowed to post links until you have made 10 posts - so please go to ****** cycling and search for the same title as this to see the video link. It would also be appreciated if you could post the links here.
I googled cyclist/cyclist collision and stumbled upon this youtube channel.
Apparently if you are a new user, you are not allowed to post links until you have made 10 posts - so please go to ****** cycling and search for the same title as this to see the video link. It would also be appreciated if you could post the links here.
Please have a look at the 7:00 and 8:55 markers.
I didn't know you could get this injured colliding into a cyclist. I have a family to support and cannot afford injury. They rely on me. I am also an avid runner and tennis player, so giving up cycling would not affect me too much. Please share your thoughts.
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04-29-24, 09:43 AM
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I don't blame you for being concerned. I don't ride a lot of miles on MUP's, but I would say that mile for mile I have at least as many close calls on them as on the road. As mentioned above, it's not just other cyclists. I have almost been clotheslined by dog leashes, walkers/runners suddenly changing directions, and vehicles exiting driveways in front of me.
To avoid a serious accident as much as possible:
Make yourself visible with bright clothing
Make noise with a bell, horn, or voice
Anticipate dangers and be prepared to evade
Slow down when approaching crowds or possible dangers
Ride predictably so that others don't have to guess
Analyze every situation on its own merit
To avoid a serious accident as much as possible:
Make yourself visible with bright clothing
Make noise with a bell, horn, or voice
Anticipate dangers and be prepared to evade
Slow down when approaching crowds or possible dangers
Ride predictably so that others don't have to guess
Analyze every situation on its own merit
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It's like riding a bicycle
It's like riding a bicycle
04-29-24, 09:51 AM
#38
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The OP can also consider riding in commercial free zones in suburbia. Less traffic and no trucks over 3 tons.
This is my preference over SoCal MUPS.
This is my preference over SoCal MUPS.
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04-29-24, 10:07 AM
#39
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04-29-24, 10:50 AM
#40
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There's no difference between e-bikes, e-scooters, e-mopeds, e-whatevers. It doesn't matter if it has a hand throttle, a pedal sensor, or any other type of power control.
Any machine that allows a noob to move faster than their natural capability is a recipe for getting that noob into trouble, often at the expense of someone else who gets taken out simultaneously.
When a real cyclist is bombing along at a high rate of speed, I know they have years of riding experience because they had to work up to that fitness. When an e-noob is bombing along, I know they just bought the thing yesterday. It's not hard to figure out which one is a greater danger.
I'm not saying every e-biker out there is a noob. I'm sure plenty of you are experienced riders. I'm talking about the average. You can tell in an instant when someone is an experienced riders vs a casual, just from the way they handle their bike.
With regards to the OP of this thread: sorry to say this but it sounds like cycling isn't very suitable for your personality.
Any machine that allows a noob to move faster than their natural capability is a recipe for getting that noob into trouble, often at the expense of someone else who gets taken out simultaneously.
When a real cyclist is bombing along at a high rate of speed, I know they have years of riding experience because they had to work up to that fitness. When an e-noob is bombing along, I know they just bought the thing yesterday. It's not hard to figure out which one is a greater danger.
I'm not saying every e-biker out there is a noob. I'm sure plenty of you are experienced riders. I'm talking about the average. You can tell in an instant when someone is an experienced riders vs a casual, just from the way they handle their bike.
With regards to the OP of this thread: sorry to say this but it sounds like cycling isn't very suitable for your personality.
Last edited by Yan; 04-29-24 at 10:57 AM.
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04-29-24, 11:13 AM
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04-29-24, 11:38 AM
#42
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Fishing.. Around here the paths follow canals a lot. Some people seem to think it's OK to take up the whole path while fishing.
04-29-24, 12:22 PM
#43
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A class 1 and class 3 e-bike is a regulated bicycle with pedal assist only, it does not go above 28mph and if you are going above that with "boosted" motors that is not legal to just do and if you are riding a MOPED which means it has a throttle then you generally aren't allowed on most trails unless they are for motorized vehicles which would probably not be a place for cyclists.
B. You are assuming that trail access is actually enforced, which is not the case in my area.
Super73 is the most popular e-bike I have seen in my area, with its headquarter in my city. There are multiple models which have a readily accessible "off-road mode" wherein throttle power is unlimited. It website advertises 28 mph+.
SUPER73-S Blackout SE | The S Adventure (But in Black)
04-29-24, 02:16 PM
#44
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A. 28 mph is dangerously fast for someone who is inattentive and/or lacks bike handling skills.
B. You are assuming that trail access is actually enforced, which is not the case in my area.
Super73 is the most popular e-bike I have seen in my area, with its headquarter in my city. There are multiple models which have a readily accessible "off-road mode" wherein throttle power is unlimited. It website advertises 28 mph+.
SUPER73-S Blackout SE | The S Adventure (But in Black)
B. You are assuming that trail access is actually enforced, which is not the case in my area.
Super73 is the most popular e-bike I have seen in my area, with its headquarter in my city. There are multiple models which have a readily accessible "off-road mode" wherein throttle power is unlimited. It website advertises 28 mph+.
SUPER73-S Blackout SE | The S Adventure (But in Black)
And the point about speed and skills is what I was getting at above. You shouldn’t let a novice driver behind the wheel of a top end Porsche. What could possibly go wrong? 😂
04-29-24, 02:21 PM
#45
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04-29-24, 03:01 PM
#46
Newbie
There's no difference between e-bikes, e-scooters, e-mopeds, e-whatevers. It doesn't matter if it has a hand throttle, a pedal sensor, or any other type of power control.
Any machine that allows a noob to move faster than their natural capability is a recipe for getting that noob into trouble, often at the expense of someone else who gets taken out simultaneously.
When a real cyclist is bombing along at a high rate of speed, I know they have years of riding experience because they had to work up to that fitness. When an e-noob is bombing along, I know they just bought the thing yesterday. It's not hard to figure out which one is a greater danger.
I'm not saying every e-biker out there is a noob. I'm sure plenty of you are experienced riders. I'm talking about the average. You can tell in an instant when someone is an experienced riders vs a casual, just from the way they handle their bike.
With regards to the OP of this thread: sorry to say this but it sounds like cycling isn't very suitable for your personality.
Any machine that allows a noob to move faster than their natural capability is a recipe for getting that noob into trouble, often at the expense of someone else who gets taken out simultaneously.
When a real cyclist is bombing along at a high rate of speed, I know they have years of riding experience because they had to work up to that fitness. When an e-noob is bombing along, I know they just bought the thing yesterday. It's not hard to figure out which one is a greater danger.
I'm not saying every e-biker out there is a noob. I'm sure plenty of you are experienced riders. I'm talking about the average. You can tell in an instant when someone is an experienced riders vs a casual, just from the way they handle their bike.
With regards to the OP of this thread: sorry to say this but it sounds like cycling isn't very suitable for your personality.
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04-29-24, 03:28 PM
#47
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I am fortunate to have some great rural roads to ride. Occasionally when riding a MUP, I have the same experience that you described. But as mentioned above, time your start to avoid the heavy traffic. Also, the further out you progress the less traffic you should experience.
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04-29-24, 04:03 PM
#48
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Another possibility - see if there is a cycling club nearby that has rides for beginners. If they do, you will almost certainly be riding on roads, but on roads and in a group of experienced riders (or led by one or more) is very, very safe.
Edit: go to one or more bikes shops and ask about such clubs.
Edit: go to one or more bikes shops and ask about such clubs.
04-29-24, 04:15 PM
#49
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Moderator - I have less than 10 posts. Sorry, but I am adding more messages to get to 10 so I can post the video links in my original message.
Can you please allow my video links to be shown in the first message?
Can you please allow my video links to be shown in the first message?
04-29-24, 04:42 PM
#50
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