keeping an eye on "daylight use only" rules

by JFS_PGH on Apr 15, 2009 4:29 PM EDT

Bikes: racing machines, vacation toys, transportation. They don't need much. A bit of upkeep, a rideable surface, and...the right to ride on that surface. Too bad that item #3 can be turned into a bar to biking, even on....say...one of the nation's longest bike trails. Yes, the Allegheny Passage (DC to Maryland) is again facing greater restrictions: another section is threatening to become "daylight use only." Because we wouldn't want people commuting safely in away from traffic in winter, or pushing a little past dusk to make the campsite or hotel in summer. Just think of all the human powered bike gangs this will dissuade from raining terror down upon the good people of Allegany county, who might otherwise be shaken by the unmistakable clicking of a freewheeling chain at the ungodly hour of 9 PM.

Who comes up with this nonsense? And where do I give them a piece of my mind?

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by Sui Juris on Apr 15, 2009 10:22 PM EDT reply actions

gave you the only one I've got

by JFS_PGH on Apr 16, 2009 10:30 AM EDT up reply actions

As this is my county (hang my head in shame when discussing govm't here)

This recommendation came from public saftey who provide a full time trail cop to patrol the section of trail from te MD border to Cumberland where the trail ends at the C&O Canal. There are three county commissioners here, and one of them wants to keep it open beyond daylight for commuters (like me and a handful of others). The other two are more concerned about budgets and the perceived cost of something going wrong on the the trail after dark. Here is the address for the article in the local paper

http://www.times-news.com/archivesearch/local_story_101233603.html

here is the address for the county government website:

http://gov.allconet.org/

and the direct address for the new rules:

http://gov.allconet.org/bop/Trail%20Rules%20and%20Application.pdf

As a casual member of the local bike club – Western Maryland Wheelmen, I was unaware of this until the article ran on Saturday. In my view it is consistent with the many items that frustrate me with living here in one of the best place for outdoor living in the mid-Atlantic region.

Just spinning the pedals in the hills of Western Maryland

by natbla on Apr 16, 2009 10:17 AM EDT reply actions

can you get them to deputize you, and some of the other regulars?

That way they’d have a free police presence, you’d have at least nominal security, and the trail could stay open later. Can’t hurt to ask, can it?

by JFS_PGH on Apr 16, 2009 10:34 AM EDT up reply actions

I don't see a way to submit comments. Do you happen to have a direct e-mail for any of the county commissioners?

It is incredible to me that they can’t recognize that people hoping to ride the entire trail might also be put off by the idea that they could get arrested for having a flat tire at a bad time, and running a bit late.

by JFS_PGH on Apr 16, 2009 10:37 AM EDT up reply actions

I think this is a final rule - though the article suggests that there might be some wiggle on it.

as to direct emails to commissioners here are the contact info:

From the County website:

We are interested in your feedback!
Send us your suggestions, comments and questions!
Please include your name, address and telephone number in all correspondence.

James J. Stakem, President
Email: Jim_Stakem@allconet.org

Dale R. Lewis, Commissioner
Email: dlewis@allconet.org

Robert M. Hutcheson, Commissioner
Email: RHutcheson@allconet.org

Or Email All Commissioners at county_commissioners@allconet.org

Administrative Staff
Cathy E. Blank

The County Administrator is the person who is key and that person is:

Interim- Administrator David Eberly deberly@allconet.org or County_Administrator@allconet.org

Just spinning the pedals in the hills of Western Maryland

by natbla on Apr 16, 2009 10:56 AM EDT up reply actions

One thing to keep in mind -

There was a recent article where a staff member was quoted as saying the local bike club and other organizations were taking too much ownership of the trail. This statement was part of a dialogue at the county comm. meeting regarding the need to lower costs associated with maintaining the trail and mowing grass along the trail.

Just spinning the pedals in the hills of Western Maryland

by natbla on Apr 16, 2009 11:00 AM EDT reply actions

One reason may be crazy US liability lawsuits

Yesterday’s news:

King County to pay $3.5 million to bicyclist injured on county bike route

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2009058259_webbikewreck16m.html

Lawsuits like the above, can set back bike-path development by a century or two

formerly known as cyclingchallenge

by Willj on Apr 16, 2009 11:16 AM EDT reply actions

They almost killed the final section of the trail due to worry qbout libility

They had the money in hand and needed to only officially “open” the section with the shared right of way and they almost didn’t.

If I remember right, they were reminded that they would have to pay back the grant if they didn’t., and so they went ahead after getting some help on an an insurance policy of some kind.

Just spinning the pedals in the hills of Western Maryland

by natbla on Apr 16, 2009 11:28 AM EDT up reply actions

it's a sad state of affairs

when liability gets in the way of opening bike lanes.

In switzerland for about $5 a year a vignette (sticker) i mandatory and at least provides “3rd party” liability insurance for cyclists

But as a wise judge once said “not every accident requires a lawsuit.”

formerly known as cyclingchallenge

by Willj on Apr 16, 2009 11:37 AM EDT up reply actions

but it often requires healthcare

People sue here (in the US) in large part because that’s the only way to be assured of sufficient medical care for your injury. Note the case above:

He has been in a hospital, a rehabilitation center and now a group home in Mount Vernon since the accident, which left him in a coma for seven months. The settlement will allow funds for round-the-clock care for the rest of his life, his attorneys said.

Physically, emotionally and cognitively disabled, Totten will never be able to work again.

Where else is he going to get healthcare? No one will insure him, even if he somehow had the means to pay.

by Sui Juris on Apr 16, 2009 11:57 AM EDT up reply actions

yes absolutely

it’s a social welfare issue

not wanting to debate here and sorry if this is outside the bounds of the site …. but the richest country in the world happily deserts its “wounded and sick”?

I have an MBA and am a capitalist generally, but as I age (rapidly) I seem to continually move further left economically – at least with regards to safety nets (eg healthcare) .

On a more cycling note ….. it’s clearly bizarre that people are afraid to build bike lanes/paths in this day and age.

formerly known as cyclingchallenge

by Willj on Apr 16, 2009 1:49 PM EDT up reply actions

+1

Although i almost always had health insurance while living in the u.s., i always found it really distressing that so many didn’t. Somehow personally i just find it inconscienable(sp?). And now that i’m at an age where i’m actually starting to need healthcare, it’s very hard to imagine ever moving back (plus the great cycling roads here!).

But, by the way – “happily deserts” – well quite a large proportion of the people there aren’t happy about it at all. Unfortunately not large enough. Hopefully they’ll make some progress soon.

And, pertinent to this thread, i agree that it would help with the crazy lawsuits and lots of the lunacy you see over there that results from them. You’d be amazed at all the stuff people are afraid to do there due to lawsuits. Although sometimes too you get the feeling that “lawsuits” are just used as a convenient excuse to save a little money somewhere – close a park early, not build a bike path, etc.

by yeehoo on Apr 17, 2009 8:14 AM EDT up reply actions

lots of chances to "say no" all the same

The pedestrian who watched me hit a pothole told me I should a) go the the hospital and b) sue the city. But instead, I a) ran through all the tests I could think of to check for serious damage / concussion, and decided to walk home slowly and ice whatever needed icing… and b) not sue the city (though I did call in the pot hole).

Yes, I’ve got some coverage. Yes, I have done some PT sessions. But if I didn’t have coverage, I’d still be healing slowly, doing my own stretches and massages and heat and cold treatment, and NOT filing a lawsuit because I made the bad choice to assume that, of all the streets in Pittsburgh, this one didn’t have enough pot holes to merit my full attention.

Now, if I had no insurance and a broken neck, or brain surgery… I’d be looking for some way to live (and not lose the house and go into bankruptcy). But if people would refrain from lawsuits over the smaller stuff, and get insurance for the big stuff, we’d all be doing better.

Agreed that we really need bike rider insurance in the US. Silly that you can be covered for bike accidents as part of some sorts of car insurance, but not as a stand-alone policy.

by JFS_PGH on Apr 18, 2009 12:38 PM EDT up reply actions