Designed for Cars

Designed for Cars, originally uploaded by M.V. Jantzen.

This photo is at least part of the answer to the question of why cyclists ride in the road when there is a "perfectly good trail right over there."

Comments

[Max]

I know there are all sorts of complexities to the the subject of modifying the paths or road of Rock Creek Park. But it is so sad that the trail/path remains so close but yet so far in terms of being an easy commuting solution for many people.

I don't think the powers-at-be understand what a major artery this could be for cycle commuting. Of course they could save the money it would cost to rebuild paths and bridges, and just stop placating/enabling the single occupancy drivers, and keep cars out altogether...

Or, they could do nothing.

[Max]

OR, make it a HOV/Bike route...

[er]

+1 for that picture

[asuka]

Close Beach Drive to automotive traffic permanently, or allocate a single lane that is in-bound during the morning rush, and out-bound during the evening rush, like the Parkway. Beach Drive was never intended to be a major transportation artery.

[mike]

Another picture could be the locked gate to the path around the tunnel in the back of the photo. The Zoo often locks the gate to their small portion of the path for many different reasons and always at night. When the gates locked cycling through the tunnel is dangerous and scares away lots of potential cyclists.

That infrastructure already exists, but the zoo won't let people use it.

[Brendan]

I think we could all contribute pictures of "perfectly good trails" that fall short. Would make a compelling Facebook page maybe.

[Thrillhouse]

Actually, riding through that tunnel is pretty neat if you're there at the right time of day.

I started just riding through the tunnel because the detour through the zoo was annoying when I'm trying to get to work, but it's also nice because then I'm already on the road, and I don't have to deal with that pathetic excuse for a trail on the other side of the tunnel.

[Chris]

Agreed with Thrillhouse.

[Purple Eagle]

Regarding the closure of the trail around the tunnel through the zoo - if they kept the trail open, people would be able to enter the zoo when it's closed. I don't know the feasability of extra fencing to separate the path around the tunnel from the rest of the zoo, but it's obviously a factor.

[Bill]

Not to mention that the trail between the tunnel and Pierce Mill is no longer rideable on a road bike. The park service appears to have abandoned the trail, and it is full of potholes, sand, gravel, mud, etc. I won't ride my good bike on it because I'm tired of replacing tires and rattling my teeth out.

[M.V. Jantzen]

I was surprised how much sand was on the trail this weekend. Is that from flooding? It makes the trail dangerous - I imagine some folks will lose control, sliding on the sand. But yeah, the NPS... sigh... have they ever actually maintained the trail... or gasp made improvements? Is there even a master plan?

[Contrarian]

A simple advocacy message: cyclists like sharing the road with motorist far less than motorists like sharing the road with cyclists. If cyclists are choosing to use the road over the trail, the trail must be really, really lousy. If you want to get the cyclists off the road support trail improvements.

[Chris]

I might be wrong about this, but isn't part of the problem the fact that addressing infrastructure issues in Rock Creek a public process subject to rule-making and all the associated input from various stakeholders? In other words, I think it might be bigger then just NPS making a decision and that's it.

[washcycle]

Not from what I've heard. DDOT has the money and will to build a better trail, but Rock Creek Park leadership won't let them build a trail to the standard that DDOT wants. And DDOT is not interested in spending money on anything less than a 1st class trail. So nothing happens and both stand still waiting for the other to move like the two samurai in "The Art of War" standing in the rain.

[Chris]

Do you have any more information about this? Really, I just find the simple explanation somewhat confusing, as NPS is not an irresponsible party (though it's certainly quite possible DDOT and NPS have divergent interests).

[washcycle]

The story I've heard is that DDOT approached Rock Creek Park (specifically, not NPS) about rebuilding and widening the trail. RCP was interesting in the rebuilding, but not the widening. They felt widening would damage the environment more than they were willing to allow. DDOT basically said they would not pay to rebuild without widening, and so that is where things stand. RCP is getting a new superintendent and so there is hope that they will be open to a wider trail.

[Chris]

OK, that makes sense - it's divergent interests, and I'm betting it's not divorced from the NPS mission, which is about preservation. It's a lot easier to prevent potential damage (like a wider trail) then it is to end existing damage (like the parkway itself). I don't think that's terribly unreasonable, and I'm sure they can figure out a way around it - it just takes time.

[Thrillhouse]

As for the preservation argument, go up to Gettysburg sometime. They're going to extremes to make sure the battlefield looks as much like it did in 1863 as possible. But, there's also an extensive network of very nice roads that wind through the park to get visitors to the points of interest.

It's all about balance. If you let humans go there, there's going to be some footprint. If they can balance preservation and access in Gettysburg, they can balance safety and environmental concerns in Rock Creek Park.

[Chris]

I agree that it's all about balance - that's precisely what I'm trying to say.

[Dr Pangloss]

Thrillhouse FTW. Riding the tunnel *feels* a bit hairy, but is actually perfectly safe. You take the lane, and occasionally get a honk from a car. But the speed limit through there is 25 mph, and the sight-lines are great.

If folks in cars are honking, that means they see you. No one is going to run you down from behind.

If it irritates the occasional driver, fuck 'em. It's a National Park. That's what it's for.