[pct-l] cyclists

[Mark Hudson]

I just joined the group, so I really hope my first reply doesn’t get taken 
the wrong way.

I live very near the TRT where in many spots we run into bikers on the trail 
all the time.  I also happen to dabble in riding.  I more or less suck at 
it, but still like to think I am good regardless :)

I see all the points of there is not enough room, its not safe. etc.  I also 
know every time you begin to draw a line, you often find yourself on the 
wrong side of it.

Long story short, I run into bikers all the time on the trails, and have yet 
to have an accident or be run over.  I find the VAST majority of them are 
respectful and will yell if they are coming up behind you and ask to pass. 
Often they tell me of things coming on the trail, or at least other bikers 
in their group.

If I had my wish, I would agree that it would be better hiking with no 
bikers, however I suspect they would say it would be better riding with no 
hikers.

My thoughts are we all need to learn to share without a rule book 32" thick 
that takes yet another government agency to enforce.

I would also like to think that messing with another persons equipment, by 
disabling or tampering has to be plain wrong, and much more dangerous than 
being run over on the trail.



-----Original Message----- 
From: Melanie Clarke
Sent: Monday, October 25, 2010 2:13 PM
To: Robert Snook
Cc: Pct-L at backcountry.net
Subject: Re: [pct-l] cyclists

Dear PCT,

The first thing I would like to propose for the safety of all involved would
be that Mountain bikes need a certain trail width before they are allowed.
What does everyone think is a safe width?  I'm thinking along the lines of
6'-8' or maybe the width of a single lane road?   Mountain bikes do not
belong on a trail that only has room enough for one person or bike.  This is
a reasonable requirement as what if another bike were coming from the other
direction, both going 15 mph?  Their collision would be a 30mpg impact.
Taking on a tree or rock at even 15 mph is not good.  There HAS to be enough
room for 2 way traffic; for a hiker to stand on one side, 2 cyclists to
pass, or room for the cyclist to go around the hiker.  Children go hiking
with their parents, we can't endanger children who may not be able to jump
off a single file trail in time to avoid a bike.  This would offer the
general public simple instructions for compliance.  All the multi use trails
in our Santa Clara County Parks seem to be the width of a single lane road
and we peacefully coexist.  I feel safe going for a run and the mountain
bikes and horses just go around me.  This would leave plenty of trails for
the mountain bikers to do their thing and would leave all the nice remote,
wilderness trails for our thing.  The best thing about this is "who could
even argue with this suggestion"?  It is so sensible that we could get a
huge number of people on "our side".

Maybe we could start a CA initiative that proposes such a guideline state
wide.  I think we can keep things simple and just focus on the safety
aspect.  We are even protecting mountain bikers from themselves.  Many of
our laws do this.  We have seat belt laws, child seat laws.  People won't
even keep their children safe unless we force them to do so with laws.
Bikes could still be welcome on a single file trail if a sign allows them to
do this.  The multi use Rincon Trail connects Hwy 9 to UC Santa Cruz and
cautions everyone to look out for each other.  Many students use this
conduit to access the campus by foot or bike and this seems to work as a
peaceful co-existence to get to class or for a mommy to ride in from San
Jose to visit her kid (-:

We can all be united as a voice of reason and peaceful co-existence.  One
can get kicked out of a cycling club for not observing safety rules and this
is in fact, all about safety for everyone.

Please give me your suggestions and feedback about the trail width
requirements for cyclist to share the trail.

Melanie

On Mon, Oct 25, 2010 at 10:31 AM, Robert Snook <verdick at gmail.com> wrote:

> > I think we can try to point out the error of their ways but like the
> > DR that sped past llamalady there are those that will not respond in
> > a positive manner to correction. I would encourage hikers to carry at
> > least one raw egg for such events ! ). (snort, chortle and snicker)
> >
> > Bill
>
>
>
> Llamalady already had an ample supply of llama poo to fling about.  Leaves
> a
> much more lasting impression!
>
>
> Verdick  '05
> _______________________________________________
> Pct-L mailing list
> Pct-L at backcountry.net
> To unsubcribe, or change options visit:
> http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l
>
> List Archives:
> http://mailman.backcountry.net/pipermail/pct-l/
>
_______________________________________________
Pct-L mailing list
Pct-L at backcountry.net
To unsubcribe, or change options visit:
http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l

List Archives:
http://mailman.backcountry.net/pipermail/pct-l/