Dianna Waggoner was reminded, when riding on the Ontario Bikeway this weekend, of an observation I made a few years ago:
“In the fall people look so much better on their bicycles–more fit and better skills.”
Which was a stark contrast to cycling in the spring. Both cyclists and pedestrians were suicidal today, especially on the seawall (no surprise there), but we made it home happy and upright.
I thought you might want to post a public service announcement now that it’s spring which means that everyone is re-learning how to ride their bikes. Little kids wobble all over the bike path, nervous parents not far behind, and adults are none too stable or attentive to what’s coming at them. Not to mention this glorious weather after so much rain and grayness has caused a massive, and contagious case of spring fever. No one watches where they’re going and they’ve all forgotten how their brakes work.
And absolutely everyone needs to be reminded of the rules of the bike paths–ride predictably, check your shoulder before making a turn, and for heaven’s sake don’t stop in the middle of the path. Never mind how beautiful the blossoms are, take a moment to pull off to the side of the road.
If we all ride with some focus and watch out for each other we’ll all be around when summer arrives.
And it doesn’t help much that some paths, like the one in the photo, are pretty much obstacle courses. Between the benches and the poles in the middle of the path and the bikes parked on the railing, there isn’t much room for error. There must be better places for benches and light poles.
Glad it’s not just me. I remember fondly when it was possible to ride round Stanley Park on midweek daytime without running headlong into people biking the wrong way round blind corners and there being more out of control off leash dogs wildly careening about than controlled on leash ones. I find now that even 7am isn’t early enough to avoid them, so sadly have stopped riding the seawall totally. I miss it (and the exercise) a lot.
I really appreciate the smoothed out bumps on the biking seawall between Burrard and Granville. The section that goes through the alleys that are closed to cars used to have the worst curbs placed right in the bike path, forcing cyclists to swerve in an S-shape to avoid the worst of it. The change lets cyclists behave predictably.
That leaves the poorly executed detour at Science World as temporarily the worst part of the seawall, followed closely by the Coal Harbour seawall in front of the Bayshore. This section of seawall was designed by someone who prefers cyclists dead or injured. The poorly executed drop-off for the Cactus Club at English Bay and the obstacle course at Burrard in the picture aren’t far behind.
While I’m complaining, I’ll add that there are two sections in South False Creek that have the worst surface for cycling ever invented (except for cinder blocks on their sides and railroad ties. It looks nice, but it’s slippery when wet and it rattles you hard enough to make you stand up.
I agree about the bumps between the G’ville and Burrard bridges. I suppose at one time it was a way to keep cars from racing through there but still allow access for moving vans. It’s so good that they’re smoothed out now. I no longer am forced to ride on the sidewalks there.
One of the worst places on the Seawall is near the old Plaza of Nations to the Science World area. There’s no separation or even suggestion of it between cycling and walking. People just go wherever and when it gets really busy it’s a big problem. I suppose one day after the condos go in it’ll be like the nice part further West of there but in the meantime a simple stripe of paint down the middle would make it so much better.
Overall things are very good but there are many areas that could use some improvements.