General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Solo Drivers should be appreciative of buses, bicyclists, pedestrians and carpoolers -not resentful [View all]Gormy Cuss
(30,884 posts)Last edited Thu May 16, 2013, 01:54 PM - Edit history (1)
What looks good from the road may not be so great. One of the paths near me has one section with so many potholes and divots that it's like an obstacle course. From the adjacent freeway that is not evident. It looks like a good path. Other times bike paths have bad transitions at intersections (uneven, raised curbs, etc.) and it's just safer and easier to use the road.
Another reason that cyclists will use the road instead of a path is that the path is a multi-use path and that creates its own set of obstacles--dogs on leash cutting across the path on whim, little kids on bikes riding in their own unsteady way, people walking three abreast or sauntering in the middle of the path. When this is the case, the road is a much smarter choice.
Some cyclists never use the paths, but the majority of bike commuters will use a segregated path or dedicated lane over being in the traffic lane.