Quote:
Originally Posted by Happydaz
...Maybe the best way to help people understand why many bicyclists prefer the roads is for those posters who think that the multi modal paths are so safe, is for them to venture out on these paths either for a nice walk or a slow bike ride on their old Schwinn and see how comfortable they are coming through tunnels and going around hidden curves with golf carts racing all around them. That will be an eye opener for them. Come on, give it a try!
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High-mileage road bikers seem to be in general agreement that roads are safer than the paths. They're far more experienced than I, and I respect their opinion. I'm not one of them, but I'm not a slow biker on a Schwinn either. I ride fairly quickly for exercise. And speaking for myself (and possibly a few others?) I feel safer on the paths. Here are a few thoughts why...
* I'm extra careful around the tunnels and sharp turns. They seem very manageable with some extra caution;
* I feel more in control of my own fate on the paths. If a situation I don't like arises, I have several options how to deal with it that are not available on the road;
* In general, things happen more slowly (not slowly...just more slowly) on the path, making all sorts of adjustments easier to make;
* No matter how hard I try, I just don't feel like I belong on the highway. People approaching me much faster than I'm traveling, etc. Sure, they can give me space, but what if the adjacent lane is occupied? That situation alone is impossible for me to reconcile. I am much more at the mercy of the traffic and the approaching driver than I ever feel on the paths;
* If, in the worst case, an accident of some sort happens, I like my chances of survival or lesser injury on the paths.
Again, this is just the opinion of one mid-level exercise rider. YMMV.
