Coolness, how about some suggestions that would help solve the problem of increasing usage and injuries? Thanks!
It starts with education. There are rules of the trail. Riders that don’t understand proper etiquette around other trail users.
While we are the biggest user group, we are bottom of the food chain, and honestly, that is fine. However for many, they don’t see it that way. Yes, these are the bad apples, those that are our own worst enemy.
Bells....require them.
But we are not the only cause.
Hikers walking 3+ across the trail, not paying attention to their surroundings. Having their ass jammed so far up their phones....wear buds with music so loud I can hear it when I ride by. You ring your bell behind them, numerous times....they don’t yield, they don’t even acknowledge you. The trail opens up and you go to pass, then they jump in terror. Tell me how this is my fault.
Hikers need education as well. How many times have you ridden up to a group of hikers to have them yield, yet they scatter to the opposite side of the trail. Treat the trail like you would a road, step to your right.
Let’s talk about cutting trails, hikers continue to cut switchbacks....often times within a couple feet from the switchback. What, you couldn’t take 20 more steps and go around the turn and stay on trail?
Hikers with Dogs off leash. No, I don’t care how well you think your dog is trained. Yes, I have been bitten on trail by a dog off leash.
Or even worse, dogs on really long leashes....these are even more dangerous than dogs off leash.
I’ve seen 2 large dogs tethered together then let off the leash from the owner....great, now there is a moving close line running up the trail. Again, how is this my fault as a cyclist.
Horses on trail, no problem....I have no issues. BUT....if your horse isn’t ok being around people or bikes, then maybe you shouldn’t be taking them into the middle of the hornet’s nest. Let the other users know whether it is ok to pass....and again pay attention to your surroundings.
I have no issues sharing the trails with other users. None of us have more a right to the trails than anyone else. But piss poor behavior is piss poor behavior....regardless of the user group.
I hear people talk about 1 way trails....I don’t like it. The way our multi use trails are created, they are usually just as fun in both directions.
Now Ebikes....irregardless of what they say, have motors....they are no longer non-motorized human powered. Thy have never been legal in OC Parks....yet they continue to poach the parks. Can’t say that is helping their cause. Your article on the issue basically put riders and business owners who know the rules, yet continue to ignore them for their own benefit.
Your article indicates that there is confusion....again they have never been legal in the OC Parks, so they is no confusion.
Ebikes were first pushed into the market as a way for the old and disabled to get out on the trail. Yet, once the door was unlocked, the marketing changed 180* and it turned into go farther in less time. This feeds directly into the instant gratification generation. I have heard ebike riders use the excuse that they need one to keep up with their friends that have been riding for a lot of years....yeah, they didn’t become experienced riders overnight. I ran into a rider at the Beeks’ at the top of Blackstar....she said she needed an ebike to make it up there, otherwise she wouldn’t be able to make it up Skyline. Maybe some people should set their goals on more realIstic levels. I’m want to hike the Grand Canyon but I’m not in good enough shape.....I think hey should install an escalator to the bottom.
Many riders are claiming disabilities as their excuse for Ebikes. I hear a lot of them falsely claim ADA. There are websites telling Ebikes how to falsely get around the ban.
Thanks for takin the time hear us out....but we are not the problem child that most wanna make us out to be.
