IMO the MMP's are safer for a lone bicyclist, at least one riding a hybrid. I ride a hybrid so I can easily go onto the grass along the path any time I choose to. I will admit that is a big part of my reason for believing the MMP is safer. If I were on a road bike and had to stay on the pavement at all times, it would not be as easy to always feel safe.
I always try to time my entrance into a divided section (narrow pavement) so that a cart is not coming up closely behind me. I ride quickly through the divided sections so I spend as little time as possible in them. Since I'm biking for exercise this is no problem. It's just part of my routine. If a cart approaches from behind when I'm in a divided section or if carts are also approaching from the front, that is when I take to the grass as needed. It's not required that often, but I usually do it at least once each ride. And I want to stress, going off into the grass is very easy on a hybrid bike using proper technique. No problem at all.
The only potential snag to this approach is if a cart is approaching from behind and the section of divided path is lined with landscaping...no grass. This is an infrequent and easily avoided occurrence. Attention to one's surroundings and a willingness to occasionally speed up/slow down as needed makes this a non-issue.
|