[pct-l] Bikes and Horses

[rcluster at comcast.net]

It is not against any rules here in Eugene, OR to ride your bike on the sidewalk except for a few blocks in the downtown core. Even if there is an on (or off) street bike lane, you may ride on the sidewalk. 

I never do so because the automobile drivers do not expect to see you on the sidewalk (my observation anyway) and I think you are more likely to be hit. Heck, most of them don't see you in the bike lane right next to them, also my observation....many, many times. 

I ride to work every day, but I'm not a MTB'r. Bikes have no place on the PCT due to the speed differences of riders and walkers. People, both bikers and hikers/horse riders, will be injured. I think that is the core issue, and one that I have not yet heard any solution for. 


Ron in Eugene 
Snowplow 

----- Original Message -----
From: "Clifford McDonald" <clifmcdon at comcast.net> 
To: pct-l at backcountry.net 
Sent: Friday, October 19, 2012 1:52:37 PM 
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Bikes and Horses 

Modern cities have long had pedestrian ways (sidewalks), and road ways for 
faster modes of traffic (vehicles which sometimes include bikes.) In no 
place I've ever been in this entire world has it been acceptable for bikers 
to ride on sidewalks (maybe with the exception of small children.) In recent 
years cities and states have established bicycle paths along some vehicle 
roadways to protect you the slower biker from having to compete with traffic 
moving at high rates of speed. And to protect us walkers from having to 
compete with bikers on pedestrian right of ways where we walkers travel at 
much slower speeds. 

Many bikers believe their rights infringed upon by laws that prohibit their 
use of Interstate Highways ( some people do need to be protected from 
themselves.) And in the case of these laws, it is not only meant to protect 
the idiot riding their bicycle on an interstate, but it also protects 
someone who may accidentally hit someone riding a bicycle. 

To all you bicycle riders whining about such laws and complaining that their 
'freedoms' are being infringed upon - what about those of us who are walking 
on the trails which were created for us and have to fear you racing out of 
control down the trail? We hikers have rights to not have to worry about 
bikers on the trail.