Is there a way to get the word out to the Lance Armstrong wannabees that they should ride their bikes on the bike path instead of on the nonexistant shoulder of 30A?
I think it's wonderful that they are out exercising and enjoying the great weather, but my pet peeve is a line of cars waiting to pass a biker ....... when there is a beautifully maintained and empty path just feet away.
Safety issue too - there are some quality and distracted drivers around here who have enough trouble keeping it between the lines and avoiding clipping other cars, let alone a biker they may not see or be aware of.
There are a bunch of reasons that I've heard as to why they don't use the path - skinny tires (BS as I think the path is better than the road in some places), don't want to interfere w/ walkers or slower bikers etc. but I think part of it is that in other areas bike riders aren't supposed to ride on the sidewalk/path. One guy on the road was yelling at other bikers on the path that they were supposed to ride on the road until a friend corrected him.
scooterbug44scooterbug44SoWal ExpertSowal16,706 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal Expert
scooterbug44SoWal ExpertSowal16,706 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal Expert29,818 views
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Uncle TimmyUncle TimmyBeach FanaticBlue Mountain Beach1,013 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Fanatic
Uncle TimmyBeach FanaticBlue Mountain Beach1,013 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach FanaticTim; I didn't mean to offend, but it is easier for you to get to 98 by car than for me by bike. 83 has no shoulder and is treacherous to even cross by bike. I agree that the spandex crowd can be a minor annoyance, but take your own advise. Slow down and enjoy the scenery.
No offense taken.
When I am driving on 30A, I am headed to a destination on 30A. So 98 is not an option. When I am traveling beyond SoWal, of course I high tail it up to 98 to avoid the congestion.
If you knew how many friends refer to my driving as 'grandmotherly' you would laugh at the idea that I need to chill. My point is that EVERYBODY on 30A needs to chill -including the bikers. This is not the Tour de France -slow down and enjoy the scenery (on the bike path).
Smiling JOeSmiling JOeSoWal Expert31,643 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal Expert
Smiling JOeSoWal Expert31,643 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal ExpertA 3' bike lane on a hwy with speed limits of 65mph, is not for safety. A divided bike path would be. That said, I like to ride on 30A because it is refreshing to see something other than pine trees on my ride. Coastal Dune Lakes and Communities become can be refreshing breaks between longer stretches. That is something that you cannot see on Hwy 98, 283, 83, 395. Not too mention that those north south roads are no more than 3 miles, and that would be a boring ride to go back and forth on. I think the real safety issue is drivers who are not focusing on driving.
I do not believe that any of the spandex clad ‘serious’ bikers on 30A are running errands. They are exercising. They can exercise just as easily on 83, 283, 395, Hwy98 as easily as they can on 30A.
The difference being that 30A has no shoulder, is full of tourists who aren’t paying attention, and is crossed by many side streets and intersections.
These inherent problems do not exist on the other roads mentioned.
I understand that cars are moving faster on 98, but 98 has a 3’+ bike lane along both sides for safety. And 98 is a 2 lane road so for the most part, vehicles can easily move into the other lane to pass.
It is a safety issue. Both for the bikers and for the cars/pedestrians.
Please look at Tootsie’s story –this is not uncommon. When a vehicle (politely) tries to pass a biker on 30A there is always a potential hazard with cars turning out of side streets.
30A -No shoulder, too congested, too many side streets = a bad place to ride a street bike.
If the road not having a shoulder is a problem for bicyclists, they could ride in the middle of the lane, and drive at SnowBird pace.
I notice that in one stretch of Blue Mtn, a 3' bike lane exists on the south side of the road. Maybe they just need more of those.
Edited
Smiling JOeSmiling JOeSoWal Expert31,643 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal Expert
Smiling JOeSoWal Expert31,643 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal ExpertI think he should get a ticket for threatening someone w/ a knife and should stick to riding on the bike path ;-)That area of Ft Walton doesn't have a bike path. As for threatening someone with a knife, he should be arrested, not ticketed.
If the road not having a shoulder is a problem for bicyclists, they could ride in the middle of the lane, and drive at SnowBird pace.
I notice that in one stretch of Blue Mtn, a 3' bike lane exists on the south side of the road. Maybe they just need more of those.
Because that would be much safer than a 3' shoulder and cause less incidents!
The 3' bike lane you refer to is where the bike path runs next to the road.
I would love if the scenic corridor designation could do these things:
-improve and maintain the bike path so there aren't sand/gravel spots (I just about bite it in front of the seagrove goatfeathers even on my thick tires) or rough patches that are unfriendly to skinny tires
-add a 3' minimum shoulder on both sides of 30a for road bikers etc.
-add a dividing line (similar to a road) to improve 2 way traffic flow on the path
-require landscaping/signage/fencing etc to be set back several feet from the path to aid in visibility
Smiling JOeSmiling JOeSoWal Expert31,643 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal Expert
Smiling JOeSoWal Expert31,643 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal ExpertThe 3' bike lane you refer to is where the bike path runs next to the road.Yes, it is a bike path running adjacent to the road, but the multi-use path, it is not.
Uncle TimmyUncle TimmyBeach FanaticBlue Mountain Beach1,013 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Fanatic
Uncle TimmyBeach FanaticBlue Mountain Beach1,013 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach FanaticI notice that in one stretch of Blue Mtn, a 3' bike lane exists on the south side of the road. Maybe they just need more of those.
I would support that idea.
Please understand that no one speaking out against biking on 30A is against bikers per se.
It is really just cold hard Traffic Engineering 101. When you have a 2 lane road (like 30A) with numerous side streets you need to minimize, if not eliminate passing vehicles. That is why most of 30A is a no passing zone except for portions thru the State Forest where there are no side streets.
Because there is no shoulder, cars need to swerve into the oncoming lane to safely pass bikes and this puts cars pulling out of side streets at great risk. (Remember, you aren't looking to the right when you pull out, normally).
Everybody can be following the rules, everybody can be being courteous and yet there is still an inherent danger here.
Smiling JOeSmiling JOeSoWal Expert31,643 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal Expert
Smiling JOeSoWal Expert31,643 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal ExpertTimmy, I agree with your post #132. :roll:
JdargJdargSoWal Expert18,040 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal Expert
JdargSoWal Expert18,040 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal ExpertI'm making a new rule for the way-too-narrow Western Lake bridges- single file and/or wait your turn!
Personally, I'm going to step to the side and let the bikes go first because they will anyway.:angry:
It is much easier and safer to wait and let everyone go across the bridges before crossing myself.
Personally, I'm going to step to the side and let the bikes go first because they will anyway.:angry:
It is much easier and safer to wait and let everyone go across the bridges before crossing myself.
Miss KittyMiss KittyMeow47,011 postsJoined View profileMessageMeow
Miss KittyMeow47,011 postsJoined View profileMessageMeowI'm making a new rule for the way-too-narrow Western Lake bridges- single file and/or wait your turn!
Personally, I'm going to step to the side and let the bikes go first because they will anyway.:angry:
It is much easier and safer to wait and let everyone go across the bridges before crossing myself.
Okay...here's an idea...walk softly and carry a big stick. 😀
BeemnBeemnBeach Loverso wal89 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Lover
It is amazing how you can ride a long way, but come to the bridge at western lake and you can be sure you will encounter two or three runners and a bicycling family, all crossing at the same time as a car train in each direction!!! Summer or winter, traffic or none...it will happen! As for the sand and gravel on the bike path, regional utilities is the major culprit for much of the path!
Murphy's law!
They are in charge of maintaining it or putting the sand/gravel there?
In my experience, the worst areas are where gravel/sand roads & driveways cross the path. There are a couple more spots where you can see the sand washing onto the path, but it seems to wash off too.
They are in charge of maintaining it or putting the sand/gravel there?
In my experience, the worst areas are where gravel/sand roads & driveways cross the path. There are a couple more spots where you can see the sand washing onto the path, but it seems to wash off too.
TeresaTeresaSoWal GuideSouth Walton, FL30,980 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal Guide
TeresaSoWal GuideSouth Walton, FL30,980 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal GuideA 3' bike lane on a hwy with speed limits of 65mph, is not for safety. A divided bike path would be. That said, I like to ride on 30A because it is refreshing to see something other than pine trees on my ride. Coastal Dune Lakes and Communities become can be refreshing breaks between longer stretches. That is something that you cannot see on Hwy 98, 283, 83, 395. Not too mention that those north south roads are no more than 3 miles, and that would be a boring ride to go back and forth on. I think the real safety issue is drivers who are not focusing on driving.
SJ: I agree you should ride on the road if you choose. I also agree that its dangerous. Some drivers are not focusing on driving for lots of reasons, especially on 30A, true. This isn't going to change. But, I believe most are safe drivers - and even still, there is a danger on or near the road for for all bikers and pedestrians. just be careful. Drivers don't want to hit anyone - that must be horrible when it happens. But, it happens to the best of 'em.
Smiling JOeSmiling JOeSoWal Expert31,643 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal Expert
Smiling JOeSoWal Expert31,643 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal ExpertTootsie, I acknowledge that being on the road is dangerous, but that is just a risk that I will take. I take a risk of being killed everytime I get in my car. If we live in fear, we don't live at all. When I die, I want to know that I have lived.
HopHopBeach FanaticDune Allen2,228 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Fanatic
HopBeach FanaticDune Allen2,228 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach FanaticTootsie, I acknowledge that being on the road is dangerous, but that is just a risk that I will take. I take a risk of being killed everytime I get in my car. If we live in fear, we don't live at all. When I die, I want to know that I have lived.
i agree...but i don't want some drunk idiot tourist on 30-a to be the way i go out...ill take the path...
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