Do MUP designers ride bikes?
10-09-16, 08:45 PM
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Do MUP designers ride bikes?
I don't often ride on MUPs, but when I do, I get reminded why I don't like to. What is the deal with all the unnecessary twists and turns? They can be hazardous. I think designers just want some curves in the landscape, regardless of whether the path is safe for all users.
10-09-16, 08:47 PM
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It's to slow you down and make the path more interesting.
10-09-16, 09:04 PM
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Most MUP cyclists want to ride their Wal-Mart cruisers at a breath-taking seven mph while chatting with their spouses about how great it is to be getting exercise.
10-09-16, 09:32 PM
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Most of ours are "Rails to Trails". Mostly long, flat straightaways and not very scenic. It's nice if you get a chance to go at a decent pace, but can be kind of sketch with the autumn foliage on the ground.
10-09-16, 09:42 PM
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our bike paths feature a sharp turn at each intersection. It's a pain, sometimes literally. There is one that is off camber, and it is really difficult to ride it safely in low traction conditions. They obviously didn't think things through
10-09-16, 09:43 PM
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A more effective way to slow me down would be to add potholes and cracks to mimic all the local roads. Instead, I get beautifully smooth pavement that I want to go fast on with random "wavy curves" all over the place.
10-09-16, 09:45 PM
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Where I live the MUP designers all built railroads which were later paved.
-Tim-
-Tim-
Last edited by TimothyH; 10-10-16 at 06:58 AM.
10-10-16, 06:07 AM
#9
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"What is the deal with all the unnecessary twists and turns?"
It isn't only bike paths that have these. There are two roads near me that were straight before being rebuilt, now they have lazy "s" turns. I think it is stupid and likely less safe than the former straight roads. I suppose somebody thinks that curvy roads and trails make a more attractive cityscape.
It isn't only bike paths that have these. There are two roads near me that were straight before being rebuilt, now they have lazy "s" turns. I think it is stupid and likely less safe than the former straight roads. I suppose somebody thinks that curvy roads and trails make a more attractive cityscape.
10-10-16, 06:42 AM
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"What is the deal with all the unnecessary twists and turns?"
It isn't only bike paths that have these. There are two roads near me that were straight before being rebuilt, now they have lazy "s" turns. I think it is stupid and likely less safe than the former straight roads. I suppose somebody thinks that curvy roads and trails make a more attractive cityscape.
It isn't only bike paths that have these. There are two roads near me that were straight before being rebuilt, now they have lazy "s" turns. I think it is stupid and likely less safe than the former straight roads. I suppose somebody thinks that curvy roads and trails make a more attractive cityscape.
10-10-16, 06:44 AM
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I like twists and turns!
I don't often ride on MUPs, but when I do, I get reminded why I don't like to. What is the deal with all the unnecessary twists and turns? They can be hazardous. I think designers just want some curves in the landscape, regardless of whether the path is safe for all users.
10-10-16, 07:04 AM
#12
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I love twists and turns too, although I think I'd like them even more on a Venturi.
Flat and straight, can't think of anything worse.
Flat and straight, can't think of anything worse.
10-10-16, 07:37 AM
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It is generally called "traffic calming" and it is a bit safer because it forces people to slow down. Safer has to take all road users into account.
10-10-16, 08:13 AM
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10-10-16, 09:09 AM
#16
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No, they did not design it to be your private bike Race circuit, stick to the streets, if you want to Ride Fast, and take chances.
10-14-16, 06:21 AM
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What is *less* known is that it started out as a MUP in the 1800s!
This Old House renovated his house by the way.
-mr. bill
Last edited by mr_bill; 10-14-16 at 06:26 AM.
10-14-16, 06:30 AM
#18
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10-14-16, 07:15 AM
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I never got the idea that curves were for safety or aesthetics. I think they are following the natural contours of the land or following a stream or avoiding obstructions such as a large tree, etc. Rail trails, on the other hand, are ramrod straight for the most part. Local MUPs and rail trails are designed for transportation and recreation and not so racers wannabes can get in their training rides.
10-14-16, 07:22 AM
#20
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Here's an example:
None of those curves are going around anything in particular. My point is, it's not always easy to make these curves and stay on your side of the trail. When passing oncoming cyclists it can get dicey.
None of those curves are going around anything in particular. My point is, it's not always easy to make these curves and stay on your side of the trail. When passing oncoming cyclists it can get dicey.
10-14-16, 07:26 AM
#21
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The M and U in MUP stands for Multi Use, so it's not a surprise that they are not all designed with the "15 mph or it's not cycling" enthusiast in mind. I suppose what you want would be a BUP, but then the runners, walkers and 5 mph cruisers would fuss, so I guess we're stuck with bicycle lanes and country roads.
10-14-16, 07:36 AM
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Some of those curves are going around trees. You also have to deal with the natural contours of the land, as noted in post #19 above. Curves also cut down grades, something that may be necessary to comply with the ADA. (That S curve on the left could very well be for that reason. You can't tell without topography information.) And you want to leave uninterrupted, open space for people to enjoy activities off the trail.
Let's take that portion of the trail at the bottom, middle of the photo. Instead of following the contours of the highway, where would he have it go. Straight off towards the upper, left corner? If so, you'd have to cut down come trees, and the trail would bisect bordering the lower portion of the pond.
Let's take that portion of the trail at the bottom, middle of the photo. Instead of following the contours of the highway, where would he have it go. Straight off towards the upper, left corner? If so, you'd have to cut down come trees, and the trail would bisect bordering the lower portion of the pond.
10-14-16, 07:43 AM
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In a place where the path could go straight across a road, and curves have been added to the path on each side of the road,
It's to slow down cyclist before they get to the road. It is in fact traffic calming. It's done for cars in some places too.
The interwebz must have explanations and examples of this if you look. Ask a traffic engineer if possible.
If the curves are too much for you to handle at your speed, you are one that the curves were put there to slow down.
It's much better to keep your speed up on the road.
It's to slow down cyclist before they get to the road. It is in fact traffic calming. It's done for cars in some places too.
The interwebz must have explanations and examples of this if you look. Ask a traffic engineer if possible.
If the curves are too much for you to handle at your speed, you are one that the curves were put there to slow down.
It's much better to keep your speed up on the road.
10-14-16, 08:01 AM
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10-14-16, 09:25 AM
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