One of the many places I go to walk is a particular section of the “Little Econ Greeneway.” The area I walk is typically from Goldenrod Road to Rouse Road, usually entering from the unmarked entrance at Econlockhatchee Road. This section provides a wide paved pathway that is meant to be shared by cyclists, walkers, joggers and roller-bladers. (Note: I will use the term “bikers” for bicycle enthusiasts or for anyone who uses a bicycle)
Now that Spring has sprung, many more people (read: Spring exercise dabblers) are out and about. What I am leading up to in this blog is that there are many more bikers out now than I saw during the winter months. Unfortunately, not all of these bikers are considerate of others or know the rules of the trail. In fact, I would say that at least 60% of the bikers I have encountered along the trail are either dangerous to themselves or others or highly inconsiderate of the other humans along the trail.
Let me start with incident one. It was a Saturday morning, bright and early. We decided to walk from Econ Trail to Alafaya along the trail: not a short walk by any means. We walked the length of the trail and were headed back towards Econ. When we got in the vicinity of Union Park Middle School, we heard the cacophony of a mass of bikes approaching us from behind. As we always do, we kept to the right hand side of the trail to let the bikes pass. A few bikes started to pass us: mostly the speed-demon enthusiasts with all of their sponsor garb. For the most part, they respected us. Then came the rest of the crowd. Most of these guys were wearing a some sort of Orange County Cyclist club shirts; I could not read them clearly. Anyway, several clowns within this bunch were making audible comments about how the “trail belonged to them” and “look…more stupid walkers clogging up our trail…” One of the members of this “club” was heard by both of us saying “watch this”…and he skimmed me and hit my arm. Another girl “Yaaaaa OMG….Yaaaaaa” was so busy facebooking and commenting on things that she absentmindedly hit me with her front wheel and left a mark! The others laughed and some of them haphazardly ran into one another. Finally, the whole bunch got by. With me being me, I immediately got on the phone and dialed the Orange County Parks department and reported the whole thing (and I was effectively blown off as a complainer).
Incident two. We were again walking on the right hand side of the trail when we approached another couple walking in the opposite direction on the other side of the trail. Again, some sort of cretin, hell-bent on beating some sort of speed-record was approaching at FULL speed on his Tour de France bike. He was wearing all sorts of sponsor insignia, such as OUC, Lowes, etc. His idea was simple…full speed at all costs…whisk through the middle. Unfortunately, the walkers going away from us were unaware of this guy going 30mph toward them. One of them stepped out in the path to avoid a limb and ALMOST got whacked by this guy. He failed to state “On your left” or some similar warning. He just barreled through and kept going, while the woman he nearly killed fell to the ground out of fear.
Incident three. Happened last week. Again, we were walking and the trail was particularly busy. Some kids were playing on the trail with a wagon. We were going toward them. From behind the kids, another one of these cyclists from hell was approaching. He was going at whatever the max speed of his particular bicycle was. Like any kid with a wagon, he did not progress on a straight line vector…he zigged and zagged…and generally bumbled about. So when the Tour de France clown came barreling through…he tipped the edge of the wagon…and left the kid shocked and surprised. Then, to make matters worse, he muttered “D*** F****** KIDS!” This is another case where these hellbent bikers need to slow down and respect the pedestrians on the trailhead.
Final recent incident: as we were walking on a particularly empty stretch of trail. I could hear a bicycle approaching me from behind…so we hugged the side of the path to let them pass. But this biker was on a mission: to enact his internal rage on us. So as he approached, he started ringing some sort of wimpy bicycle bell…RING RING….RING…RING-A-DING DING… We kept walking…as he passed…he made all effort to skim us…and then commented on his pass by…”Damn walkers need to get off in the grass when we ride by…” Of course, I told him some choice words, followed by an invitation to stop and discuss it man to man…he kept riding…in his bitter rage…
All of these bikers were wrong…in how they dealt with their particular situations. I see this sort of thing every day too. For every one good rider, there are 20 bad ones. Why does that have to be the case? I suspect it has to do with many different things, but most notably:
- Competitive snobs. You know them. Their singular goal in life is to be first in everything. First in line at Panera while they wait on their skinny soy half-caf. First and loudest to speak during social conversations. First to have the $4500 titanium bike and first to brag about it to others. All of this “have to be first” snobbery translates to a nasty, inconsiderate human being on the trailhead.
- Selfish regard. Most bikers have an “us” against “them” mentality, where they think, as bikers, they have been “wronged” somehow…or that “the rest of us” are out to get “them.” In other words, “we” occupy their bike trails. “We” motorists clutter up “their” roads.
- Self Importance. Similar to #2, but has more to do with “my health is more important than yours.” Translates to a general lack in their life…perhaps it translates to small manhood, the inability to get a loving life-partner, or the general inability to fit in somehow…so biking is how they “dominate” everyone.
- Ignorance. I would wager that the good majority of bikers out there are not even aware that they are doing anything wrong. They feel “above” everyone, so they feel immune to the laws, regulations and courtesies.
I guess all of this comes down to … “what do we do with the bikers?” I for one do not believe that any biker should be on a private, local, state or federally funded roadway. Only vehicles belong on roads. We have thousands of miles of sidewalks in America…yet they remain unused due to regulations and decisions to put the bikes on the roadway. Yes, walkers are in peril on sidewalks when inconsiderate and ignorant bikers dominate them with their own rules of engagement. Even so, in my opinion, the bikers should use sidewalks and these types of trails, but they should also use the proper etiquette when riding on these venues.
If any bikers are reading this…then I suggest you read up on posted rules and regulations for the many trails that criss-cross Orlando. I suggest you read up on pedestrians having the right of way…or on how you should generally yield to pedestrians. SLOW DOWN. You are not in some kind of race…and there is no need to endanger others just so you can beat your personal speed record. Just start using your brains, cretin bikers!
