I ride on a path to go most places, unless I’m in a hurry: then I take the road. The path is more pleasant, and 90% of the time I’ll choose it. But if I’m running late, the road is a little more direct and also intended for faster-moving vehicles (there’s only so fast I can safely ride the path while dodging pedestrians!)
Bike paths don’t cross the urban “moat” that is known as the expressway here. Though, there is one that is actually a “straighter shot” for me on part of my commute though. Okay when the gravel is dry. Mixed blessings.
Most bike path are mandatory here, and almost every big road has them. So I prefer small roads and the forest for my commute.
Bike paths are normally bumpy, sometimes parked at and often car drivers tend not to see you.
I prefer bike paths but as they in short supply in England, compared to the Netherlands, I don’t mind using the roads. Most vehicles see my Velomobile as a ‘small car’ and if I show respect, they do too. I always give a wave of thanks for any courtesy like giving way. It is VERY rare to encounter a rude driver. A ‘velo’ seems to make people smile! 🙂
3.9 miles of quiet roads (residential, industrial)
1.7 miles on the shoulder of a busy 4-lane 45 MPH stroad
1.2 miles of less quiet 2-lane roads
0.8 miles of MUP / rail trail
0.6 miles of driveways and parking lots
0.5 miles of gravel trail in the woods
0.5 miles riding across a field
0.1 miles walking bike (with permission) through a back yard to access a trail
The rail trail portion adds only a few tenths of a mile, but saves me from a really scary road.
About two years back I changed my 5.5 mi commute on city streets to a 10 mi commute mostly on bike paths and lanes. I don’t regret the extra miles in the slightest.
For me the rainy winter months in Seattle, WA have the benefit of about 65% of my commute on the Burke-Gilman bike path. When the weather turns nice the path is, through a couple of neighborhoods, swarmed by mobs of clueless pedestrians stumbling along staring at their ‘smart phones’ and also extremely slow and wobbly casual cyclists and it’s just not worth it. Then it’s off to my favorite road routes and getting some extra climbing in!
Yes Alexander but for me it is the only way to go, alone. I sometimes use my tandem trike to go shopping because it, too, has a hitch for the trailer.
However because I cannot safely balance on a bike anymore I need a trike. The Velo allows me to recover from exhaustion in relative comfort and because it is Yellow vehicles give me more space than they give bikes. Funnily, they give the Tandem even more! 🙂
To each its own, I guess…
If the bike path is pleasant then the longer ride is for the better.
I ride on a road to work and have no problems with it. I kind of have to be as there are no bikepaths much of the route.
I ride on a path to go most places, unless I’m in a hurry: then I take the road. The path is more pleasant, and 90% of the time I’ll choose it. But if I’m running late, the road is a little more direct and also intended for faster-moving vehicles (there’s only so fast I can safely ride the path while dodging pedestrians!)
Bike paths don’t cross the urban “moat” that is known as the expressway here. Though, there is one that is actually a “straighter shot” for me on part of my commute though. Okay when the gravel is dry. Mixed blessings.
Most bike path are mandatory here, and almost every big road has them. So I prefer small roads and the forest for my commute.
Bike paths are normally bumpy, sometimes parked at and often car drivers tend not to see you.
I prefer bike paths but as they in short supply in England, compared to the Netherlands, I don’t mind using the roads. Most vehicles see my Velomobile as a ‘small car’ and if I show respect, they do too. I always give a wave of thanks for any courtesy like giving way. It is VERY rare to encounter a rude driver. A ‘velo’ seems to make people smile! 🙂
Ok, this made me curious about my commute.
3.9 miles of quiet roads (residential, industrial)
1.7 miles on the shoulder of a busy 4-lane 45 MPH stroad
1.2 miles of less quiet 2-lane roads
0.8 miles of MUP / rail trail
0.6 miles of driveways and parking lots
0.5 miles of gravel trail in the woods
0.5 miles riding across a field
0.1 miles walking bike (with permission) through a back yard to access a trail
The rail trail portion adds only a few tenths of a mile, but saves me from a really scary road.
A Velomobile? A recumbent tricycle with a car-like fairing? That would be a blasphemy for good old Yehuda. 😀
About two years back I changed my 5.5 mi commute on city streets to a 10 mi commute mostly on bike paths and lanes. I don’t regret the extra miles in the slightest.
For me the rainy winter months in Seattle, WA have the benefit of about 65% of my commute on the Burke-Gilman bike path. When the weather turns nice the path is, through a couple of neighborhoods, swarmed by mobs of clueless pedestrians stumbling along staring at their ‘smart phones’ and also extremely slow and wobbly casual cyclists and it’s just not worth it. Then it’s off to my favorite road routes and getting some extra climbing in!
Yes Alexander but for me it is the only way to go, alone. I sometimes use my tandem trike to go shopping because it, too, has a hitch for the trailer.
However because I cannot safely balance on a bike anymore I need a trike. The Velo allows me to recover from exhaustion in relative comfort and because it is Yellow vehicles give me more space than they give bikes. Funnily, they give the Tandem even more! 🙂
Motorists typically give any sort of recumbent a wide berth. Even when stationary….!