From: elr@trintex.uucp (Ed Ravin)
Subject: Re: Bike paths (FROM Re: Cycling and Environmentalism)
Organization: Heap Big Eco-Cyclists International Conspiracy
Date: Mon, 21 Dec 1992 20:20:18 GMT

In article <19921221.071155.364@almaden.ibm.com> pershng@watson.ibm.com (John A. Pershing Jr.) writes:

>Now I live in Westchester County and, guess what?  On Sundays in the
>Summer they close the Bronx River Parkway for the exclusive use of
>bicyclists. ... an intermixture of would-be racers trying to
>ride as fast as possible, family groups including 5-year-olds on
>tricycles, pedestrians, roller skaters, people who can barely balance
>on a bike, etc.

Welcome to the real world!  This is what a shared facility is about --
cyclists and other wheeled things of all different skill levels.  Remember,
before you can learn to ride well, you have to learn how to ride.  I've
seen senior citizens on their rusty 3-speeds on the Bronx River Parkway
that I suspect would never ride bikes anywhere else.  And where else could
a family with small kids go out for a group ride, but on a closed highway
or a bike path?  I don't get onto a bikeway (or the Bronx River Parkway)
with an expectation that I will be able to speed towards my destination.
I go for the scenery and the smiling faces of the other users.

BTW, I might not visit the Bicycle Sundays as often as you, but I don't
recall seeing too many roller bladers -- and when I did see one, he was
being kicked off the the "friendly" county police.  I've only seen one
or two joggers on the actual parkway -- usually they use the adjacent
bike/ped path.

>Oh... one more practical problem with bike paths:  the total lack of
>maintenance.  Within a few months, the path will be littered with
>broken glass and other trash.

Depends on who's responsible for maintaining it, and how vigilant the
user community is in keeping the authorities informed of their need for
a clean and well-maintained path.  Here are some sample paths in the NYC
area and their maintenance status:

Bronx River Trail -- asphalt path paralleling much of the Bronx River 
Parkway -- usually kept clean from debris, accumulates leaves in autumn
and snow in winter (when we're lucky enough to have snow).  Surface is
mostly in good condition.  Persistent mud buildups under two low
underpasses in White Plains.  Maintained by Westchester County Parks
Department.

Shore Parkway path, Owl's Head to Coney Island, Brooklyn -- asphalt path
parallel to Shore / Belt Parkway.  Occasional broken glass.  Numerous
pavement deformities, but mostly small scale.  Path accumulates debris
washing over sea wall during a storm, but this is usually quickly cleared.
Very heavily used path.  Maintained by NYC Dept of Transportation.

North Bronx Bikeway, Bronx NY -- asphalt path on or adjacent to sidewalks.
Lots of broken glass, debris buildups in various places, many poor design
features (1.5' right-of-way width when crossing Bronx River, etc).  Not
heavily used.  "Maintained" by NYC Dept of Parks, but only if you bother
them about it.  Few signs on this route remaining, so few that the Parks
department once put up a "NO BICYCLING" sign along the bikeway (they took
it down when I complained).

Old Croton Trailway, Bronx to Croton, NY -- dirt path over old water
supply right-of-way.  Open to all non-motorized users.  Occasional puddle
holes are eventually filled by maintainers, treefalls removed within
a month or two.  Portions in Yonkers occasionally receive broken glass
or dumped debris -- these are intermittently cleared away.  Maintained
by NY State Office of Parks & Recreation.

So I can say in the NYC area I've had mixed results, some good, some bad.
The key for a path's maintenance seems to be its constituency -- the more
users, the more people to complain when the maintenance isn't done.

I'm personally glad that all these paths are there -- they increase my
choice of routes, and as I've stated above, I have no illusions about
their safety or the other types of users I might encounter along the way.
I regularly lead rides for local clubs, and I always give a speech before-
hand about what folks need to look out for on the paths, and who we'll
be sharing it with -- most of the cyclists I've brought there, especially
NYC bikers who've been fighting traffic all day, are happy to exchange some
speed for a chance to see trees, waterfronts, wildlife or just to be free
from the noise of passing cars.

-- 
Ed Ravin- elr@trintex.uucp| I like to think (and the sooner the better!)
  elr%trintex@uunet.uu.net| Of a cybernetic meadow where mammals and computers
           +1-914-993-4737| Live together in mutually programming harmony
my opinions, nobody else's| Like pure water touching clear sky.  -R. Brautigan