End the Segregation of Cyclists!

By Jeff — Jeff Wilson

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For a long time in the cycling community, advocates have been divided over whether grade-separated, off-street bike paths (we call them Class I paths here in the SCV like the one above) are a benefit or detriment to cyclists who ride for recreation and/or transportation.

Having ridden my bike several thousand miles in the SCV over the last two years, I’m now firmly in the camp that prefers on-street lanes over separated bike paths. Why?

Streetsblog LA summarizes:

My objections to Bike Paths are based on my desire to ride safely, to get where I need to go, and to ride on the streets in a city that incorporates cycling as a transportation solution. I feel that the Bike Paths designed and built in Los Angeles are unsafe, secluded, isolated, disconnected from meaningful destinations, and show a municipal desire to remove cyclists from the traffic mix. To top it off, they squander the money set aside for Bikeways improvements with little if any transportation mode-share benefit. If that isn’t enough, cyclists who ride on Bike Paths ride at their own risk while cyclists on the street enjoy the protection available to all Californians who are hurt on a public road, sidewalk or bike lane due to the negligence of a municipality.

I think the author is a bit harsh in his condemnation of municipal planners, but I understand his angst. We have the same problem here in Santa Clarita, namely that our path network is incomplete. True, you can ride from Newhall to Canyon Country with barely any vehicle interaction, but that is the only complete path in town. In other parts of town, paths dead-end onto sidewalks or dump you awkwardly at an intersection without cross walks. One even ends at a gate, forcing you to dismount and carry your bike over it or turn around.

Our paths, in other words, are not built for transportation, they’re quite clearly built only for recreation.

In contrast, riding on the street -with or without bike lanes- offers me the same effecient path to a destination that motorists enjoy with only a few of the drawbacks.

And there’s evidence to suggest that riding on street is safer than on Class 1 paths, no matter how counter-intuitive it seems.

This weekend I discarded my fear of Santa Clarita’s highway-like roads and pedaled south on McBean from CopperHill to Valencia Blvd. Normally, I would have taken a safer route, but I had to get home in a hurry and riding to the nearest path or lane would have just taken too long. Normally such routes are beyond my safety-threshold (three laned roads at 55-60mph are somewhat intimidating) but what other choice did I have?

While I recognize our paths are popular for many, I, and I suspect many other cyclists, would prefer more on-street paths in Santa Clarita, especially on these big busy roads that we have on the west and north sides of town. Here’s hoping that City planners make room for us on the streets.

Comments (19)

Timothy MyersJanuary 6, 2010 at 1:09 pm

Jeff: There is a path that goes from Copperhill down to the Promenade without interruption along San Francisquito Creek. Why didn’t you take that?

spineflower2January 6, 2010 at 2:40 pm

Some like to ride without the choking exhaust of nearby cars. Or the risk of idiots behind the wheel like the Hollywood Hills doctor, or the Bouquet drunk, or the phone-gabbing, latte-sipping soccer mom.

Berta González-HarperJanuary 6, 2010 at 2:47 pm

Hi Jeff. I’m not sure which bike paths you are referring to but I will say there are many public trails that people incorrectly refer to as bike paths. Calling them bike paths gives cyclists the false impression that these public trails are for cyclists’ exclusive use. I frequently walk on these off street public paths along the river in Canyon Country with my leashed dogs. While most cyclists are courteous, friendly and share the road, I have had many speeding cyclists yell at me “get off the bike path”. Where they propose I walk is not clear but what is clear is these are public trails for ALL to use, walkers, joggers, skateboarders, cyclists, etc. I even checked with the City at one point to make sure I was walking where I was supposed to. I was. So let’s all remember we share these public trails.

CCJanuary 6, 2010 at 2:50 pm

eeeeh, well, I guess all I can say here is; quit yer bitchen!

JeffJanuary 6, 2010 at 2:59 pm

” So let’s all remember we share these public trails.” All the more reason I don’t like riding the paths. Do you know that just before sundown -reliably- there is an elderly Asian lady who walks backwards down the South Fork path in Valencia? I shit you not. She walks backwards. Other than that, yes the dog walkers are problems, the idiot skateboarders, the pedestrians who think nothing of sashaying their way back and forth across lanes, the roller bladers, the kids on tricycles and the beach cruisers…all of them, in my way, slowing me down and retarding my god given right to ride as fast and as far as I want. And yet Berta, I support you walking your dog on the path. I just request that you support me in a request for on-street bike lanes. Really it’s for the best.

JeffJanuary 6, 2010 at 3:04 pm

Tim, depending on which you’re referring to, it’s not a viable path. 1. The part along McBean is technically a sidewalk with lanes painted on 2. It’s full of pedestrians and dog walkers 3. Sprinklers usually turn on in the morning when I ride and a wet butt is no fun 4. It dumps me off onto a narrow bridge over the Santa Clara and ultimately to the Creekside intersection where there is no crosswalk

Timothy MyersJanuary 6, 2010 at 3:18 pm

Jeff: I am talking about the path that starts right after one crosses the bridge on Copperhill going East towards McBean. Follows the Creek all the way down to the Santa Clara River and then you cross the bridge to the Promenade parking lot.

SamJanuary 6, 2010 at 3:47 pm

Princess Jeff, Just be happy that our trails in SCV are not as crowded as the Santa Monica to Redondo bike path. Sam

JeffJanuary 6, 2010 at 3:49 pm

I like the Princess moniker! Of course the paths in LA are more crowded just like the streets. But that doesn’t stop SCV people from bitching about traffic does it?

SamJanuary 6, 2010 at 4:16 pm

Yes for more on-street bike lanes in SCV so that we can hear about the guy in the new Porsche complaing that driving on McBean is bad due to the fact that bikers are not using the bike lanes correctly (Sat. and Sun. SCV group bike ride) and the idiot kids that use the crosswalks to get to school, the people who jog on the street, slow drivers , the drivers who sashay back and forth across lanes without using a turning signal slowing the guy in the Porsche down and retarding his God given right to drive as fast and as far as he wants.

SamJanuary 6, 2010 at 4:42 pm

The picture that was posted of the South Fork Trail is so crowded. How can you possibly ride a bike when that jogger has his left elbow in the bike lane.

Jim FarleyJanuary 6, 2010 at 6:19 pm

I weekly walk the San Francisquito trail from Newhall Ranch to Copper Hill as part of a six mile course. For the most part the pedestrians stay out of the way of the cyclists, but I’ve cringed more than once when a family with kids on bikes with training wheels drifting all over almost get hit by the more serious cyclers. The fault rests with the families not keeping their kids out of the bike lanes. The biggest problem is that the trail/paseo system is so hit and miss in the valley. We’ve got some great trails/paseos in the Northbridge tract, but they peter out to nothing in Northpark.

Jim FarleyJanuary 6, 2010 at 6:30 pm

Many that walk their dogs on the paths are inconsiderate of other walkers. It’s incredible how many dog owners have their dogs off a leash when walking. Even when the dogs are on a leash, many still let their dogs approach other walkers. I don’t think they mean to be rude but they need to understand that not everyone loves their dog and wants to be sniffed by it. As a courtesy dog owners should hold their dogs close with the leash as others pass. I trust you do that BG-H.

ReaderMamaJanuary 6, 2010 at 8:11 pm

I don’t have a problem with more bike lanes, but spare me the whining about the various people who slow you down on the trails. I think it is a good thing that people are out getting some exercise and we all could use a little more courtesy and generosity of spirit.

Berta González-HarperJanuary 6, 2010 at 9:10 pm

Jeff: I support all responsible members of the public having access to and use of all public areas whether trails, roadways, beaches, campgrounds, etc. But the operative word here is responsible. Not all drivers, cyclists, skateboarders, dog walkers, campers, swimmers, etc are responsible. That is why we all need to be extra vigilant. Dedicated bike lanes are great unless they pose a hazard to any segment of the public. They are not always designed very well and some cyclists appear to believe they are immortal. I have had cyclists fly off the curb in front of me many times when I had the right of way so I am concerned that common sense is not always used. Most cyclists though are smart enough to realize there is no contest between bike and vehicle. I do think most drivers try to give cyclists a wide berth since they also realize the disparity between vehicles and bikes. Jim: Yes I do. On the public trails my girls like to walk right in front of me a la sled dog but much closer. I have to be careful not to go a$$ over teakettle if they stop suddenly. Usually it is kids who ask to pet them, not them wanting to visit since they are focused on their walk or sniffing some plant or other. They are very well behaved and not aggressive towards other dogs or people. If they really want to stretch their legs I take them into the riverbed where there is less traffic. I haven’t been out for a few months but plan on getting going again soon. Too much holiday baking, if you get my drift. We like to give everyone plenty of room and try to stay out of the way but even so, we get yelled at occasionally as they whiz by. That is why I think it would be helpful to refer to them as public trails to remind people they belong to the public and not just any one particular segment of the public. Even marked street bike lanes have vehicular incursions to enter/ exit driveways etc so even there people need to be careful. We need to remember we share the public right of way wherever it may be and watch out for each other.

Berta González-HarperJanuary 6, 2010 at 9:33 pm

ND: Cyclists are not scorned by this driver/walker. In fact, there are several cyclists who greet me on a regular basis. I always smile and wave back too. If I don’t see them for a few days, I wonder if they are ok. It’s nice to share the fresh air and enjoy the outdoors with others.

Berta González-HarperJanuary 6, 2010 at 11:36 pm

ND: There are inconsiderate folks in all segments of the population so you are right, that logic makes zero sense. There is room for all of us if we are considerate of each other. We can only be responsible for our own actions but if each of us does our best to remember we share the road, trail, planet, etc., there is still hope. I’ll keep greeting the cycling aficionados and enjoying the exchange and hope they are enjoying their rides as much as I enjoy my walks. Happy trails to you…

Fred ButlerJanuary 7, 2010 at 7:34 am

being a biker who rides at least three times a week from Castaic to Canyon Country, I like bike paths for the one simple reason: I don’t trust drivers. I have had too many close calls, even having a car bumpt me once, because the drivers don’t care and are not paying attention. And I was in my God given bike lane, too.

spineflower2January 7, 2010 at 9:52 am

Paint and photons do not protect the rider. A fence and separation distance do. The rest is mere annoyance.

Timothy MyersJanuary 6, 2010 at 1:09 pm
Jeff: There is a path that goes from Copperhill down to the Promenade without interruption along San Francisquito Creek. Why didn’t you take that?
spineflower2January 6, 2010 at 2:40 pm
Some like to ride without the choking exhaust of nearby cars. Or the risk of idiots behind the wheel like the Hollywood Hills doctor, or the Bouquet drunk, or the phone-gabbing, latte-sipping soccer mom.
Berta González-HarperJanuary 6, 2010 at 2:47 pm
Hi Jeff. I’m not sure which bike paths you are referring to but I will say there are many public trails that people incorrectly refer to as bike paths. Calling them bike paths gives cyclists the false impression that these public trails are for cyclists’ exclusive use. I frequently walk on these off street public paths along the river in Canyon Country with my leashed dogs. While most cyclists are courteous, friendly and share the road, I have had many speeding cyclists yell at me “get off the bike path”. Where they propose I walk is not clear but what is clear is these are public trails for ALL to use, walkers, joggers, skateboarders, cyclists, etc. I even checked with the City at one point to make sure I was walking where I was supposed to. I was. So let’s all remember we share these public trails.
CCJanuary 6, 2010 at 2:50 pm
eeeeh, well, I guess all I can say here is; quit yer bitchen!
JeffJanuary 6, 2010 at 2:59 pm
” So let’s all remember we share these public trails.” All the more reason I don’t like riding the paths. Do you know that just before sundown -reliably- there is an elderly Asian lady who walks backwards down the South Fork path in Valencia? I shit you not. She walks backwards. Other than that, yes the dog walkers are problems, the idiot skateboarders, the pedestrians who think nothing of sashaying their way back and forth across lanes, the roller bladers, the kids on tricycles and the beach cruisers…all of them, in my way, slowing me down and retarding my god given right to ride as fast and as far as I want. And yet Berta, I support you walking your dog on the path. I just request that you support me in a request for on-street bike lanes. Really it’s for the best.
JeffJanuary 6, 2010 at 3:04 pm
Tim, depending on which you’re referring to, it’s not a viable path. 1. The part along McBean is technically a sidewalk with lanes painted on 2. It’s full of pedestrians and dog walkers 3. Sprinklers usually turn on in the morning when I ride and a wet butt is no fun 4. It dumps me off onto a narrow bridge over the Santa Clara and ultimately to the Creekside intersection where there is no crosswalk
Timothy MyersJanuary 6, 2010 at 3:18 pm
Jeff: I am talking about the path that starts right after one crosses the bridge on Copperhill going East towards McBean. Follows the Creek all the way down to the Santa Clara River and then you cross the bridge to the Promenade parking lot.
SamJanuary 6, 2010 at 3:47 pm
Princess Jeff, Just be happy that our trails in SCV are not as crowded as the Santa Monica to Redondo bike path. Sam
JeffJanuary 6, 2010 at 3:49 pm
I like the Princess moniker! Of course the paths in LA are more crowded just like the streets. But that doesn’t stop SCV people from bitching about traffic does it?
SamJanuary 6, 2010 at 4:16 pm
Yes for more on-street bike lanes in SCV so that we can hear about the guy in the new Porsche complaing that driving on McBean is bad due to the fact that bikers are not using the bike lanes correctly (Sat. and Sun. SCV group bike ride) and the idiot kids that use the crosswalks to get to school, the people who jog on the street, slow drivers , the drivers who sashay back and forth across lanes without using a turning signal slowing the guy in the Porsche down and retarding his God given right to drive as fast and as far as he wants.
SamJanuary 6, 2010 at 4:42 pm
The picture that was posted of the South Fork Trail is so crowded. How can you possibly ride a bike when that jogger has his left elbow in the bike lane.
Jim FarleyJanuary 6, 2010 at 6:19 pm
I weekly walk the San Francisquito trail from Newhall Ranch to Copper Hill as part of a six mile course. For the most part the pedestrians stay out of the way of the cyclists, but I’ve cringed more than once when a family with kids on bikes with training wheels drifting all over almost get hit by the more serious cyclers. The fault rests with the families not keeping their kids out of the bike lanes. The biggest problem is that the trail/paseo system is so hit and miss in the valley. We’ve got some great trails/paseos in the Northbridge tract, but they peter out to nothing in Northpark.
Jim FarleyJanuary 6, 2010 at 6:30 pm
Many that walk their dogs on the paths are inconsiderate of other walkers. It’s incredible how many dog owners have their dogs off a leash when walking. Even when the dogs are on a leash, many still let their dogs approach other walkers. I don’t think they mean to be rude but they need to understand that not everyone loves their dog and wants to be sniffed by it. As a courtesy dog owners should hold their dogs close with the leash as others pass. I trust you do that BG-H.
ReaderMamaJanuary 6, 2010 at 8:11 pm
I don’t have a problem with more bike lanes, but spare me the whining about the various people who slow you down on the trails. I think it is a good thing that people are out getting some exercise and we all could use a little more courtesy and generosity of spirit.
Berta González-HarperJanuary 6, 2010 at 9:10 pm
Jeff: I support all responsible members of the public having access to and use of all public areas whether trails, roadways, beaches, campgrounds, etc. But the operative word here is responsible. Not all drivers, cyclists, skateboarders, dog walkers, campers, swimmers, etc are responsible. That is why we all need to be extra vigilant. Dedicated bike lanes are great unless they pose a hazard to any segment of the public. They are not always designed very well and some cyclists appear to believe they are immortal. I have had cyclists fly off the curb in front of me many times when I had the right of way so I am concerned that common sense is not always used. Most cyclists though are smart enough to realize there is no contest between bike and vehicle. I do think most drivers try to give cyclists a wide berth since they also realize the disparity between vehicles and bikes. Jim: Yes I do. On the public trails my girls like to walk right in front of me a la sled dog but much closer. I have to be careful not to go a$$ over teakettle if they stop suddenly. Usually it is kids who ask to pet them, not them wanting to visit since they are focused on their walk or sniffing some plant or other. They are very well behaved and not aggressive towards other dogs or people. If they really want to stretch their legs I take them into the riverbed where there is less traffic. I haven’t been out for a few months but plan on getting going again soon. Too much holiday baking, if you get my drift. We like to give everyone plenty of room and try to stay out of the way but even so, we get yelled at occasionally as they whiz by. That is why I think it would be helpful to refer to them as public trails to remind people they belong to the public and not just any one particular segment of the public. Even marked street bike lanes have vehicular incursions to enter/ exit driveways etc so even there people need to be careful. We need to remember we share the public right of way wherever it may be and watch out for each other.
Berta González-HarperJanuary 6, 2010 at 9:33 pm
ND: Cyclists are not scorned by this driver/walker. In fact, there are several cyclists who greet me on a regular basis. I always smile and wave back too. If I don’t see them for a few days, I wonder if they are ok. It’s nice to share the fresh air and enjoy the outdoors with others.
Berta González-HarperJanuary 6, 2010 at 11:36 pm
ND: There are inconsiderate folks in all segments of the population so you are right, that logic makes zero sense. There is room for all of us if we are considerate of each other. We can only be responsible for our own actions but if each of us does our best to remember we share the road, trail, planet, etc., there is still hope. I’ll keep greeting the cycling aficionados and enjoying the exchange and hope they are enjoying their rides as much as I enjoy my walks. Happy trails to you…
Fred ButlerJanuary 7, 2010 at 7:34 am
being a biker who rides at least three times a week from Castaic to Canyon Country, I like bike paths for the one simple reason: I don’t trust drivers. I have had too many close calls, even having a car bumpt me once, because the drivers don’t care and are not paying attention. And I was in my God given bike lane, too.
spineflower2January 7, 2010 at 9:52 am
Paint and photons do not protect the rider. A fence and separation distance do. The rest is mere annoyance.