[Mpls] Bicycle Protocol

[Chris Johnson]

Nathan Hunstad wrote:
 >> I think it's totally senseless for bikers to use a parkway when a bike
 >> path is next to them.  Isn't that what it's for? Bicycles?  The bikes
 >> paths around lakes such as Nokomis are just that: Bike paths. I don't
 >> drive my car on the bike paths, bikers should stay off the parkway
 >> until they need to turn.
 >
 >
 > I'm sorry, but bikes can be on the road regardless of whether there is a
 > bike path nearby.  The law does not require bikes to use bike paths
 > where available. There are many good reasons why a bicyclist may choose
 > the road instead of the path.  Some paths are in horrible shape or
 > flooded, and so using the road is the only viable option.  If cars get
 > backed up because of this, well, that's not the fault of the person on
 > the bike.
 >
 > ===
 > Nathan Hunstad
 > CARAG


Is it not also the case that the speed limit on bike paths is 10mph?  Any 
decent cyclist on a decent bike would easily exceed that speed if they were 
trying to actually commute someplace in minimal amount of time.

One might also argue that most of the parkways, being part of the park system 
and not city streets are not for the purpose for automobile commuting -- so 
complaining about bikes holding up rush hour traffic on the parkway looks 
rather odd.

Yes, I know everbody uses parkways as though they were normal streets, even 
during rush hour.  I do, too.  But I realize I'm on a parkway -- and you may 
have noticed the speed limit is 25mph, not 30mph as it is by default on city 
streets.

--
Chris Johnson
Fulton