How about an etiquette guide to using trails with each bike purchase?

[dasgeh]

Why not just have clear, easy to read, signs at all the main entrances to trails? We’ve been asking for it in Arlington for a while…

I would boil your points down to:

Three tips for Sharing the Trail
1. Everyone should stay to the right, except to pass [arrows pointing in opposite directions]
2. Everyone should call their passes [bell image], and be able to hear a pass being called [headphones image]
3. Keep your eyes out: look around before passing, turning or stopping [image of eyes]

The more you write, the less people will pay attention.

[KLizotte]

@dasgeh 123150 wrote:

Why not just have clear, easy to read, signs at all the main entrances to trails? We’ve been asking for it in Arlington for a while…

I would boil your points down to:

Three tips for Sharing the Trail
1. Everyone should stay to the right, except to pass [arrows pointing in opposite directions]
2. Everyone should call their passes [bell image], and be able to hear a pass being called [headphones image]
3. Keep your eyes out: look around before passing, turning or stopping [image of eyes]

The more you write, the less people will pay attention.

I think a diagram of someone doing a crazy ivan and getting hit (or nearly hit) would really get the message home. Telling people to look before turning is too ambiguous for most folks.

Asking peds to acknowlege bells or verbal cues would be fantastic too. Trying to mind read is less than ideal.

I really like the idea of giving someone a printed sheet about trail etiquette at bike and running stores. Also, a pamplet on how to ride in traffic, a link to the Bike Arlington and WABA sites, and information on the Confident Cycling classes would be great too. Excellent idea!

[Raymo853]

@dasgeh 123150 wrote:

The more you write, the less people will pay attention.

Yes

[Tania]

I can forgive the casual weekend MUP rider for most of their transgressions (plus, they’re pretty easy to spot from afar).

However, I do think every CaBi rental needs to come with a 5 minute “Don’t Be A Jerk*” video before undocking the bike.

* My actual choice of noun for your average CaBi-er isn’t forum-friendly.

[DrP]

They have signs on much of the CCT and in sections of the W&OD and other trails in the area. I do not see that they help, probably because folks are on the trail and already listening to their music, their companion, their inner urge to just go faster or whatever. Perhaps if there were more signs, it might work too, but reaching out to folks when they have more time to review it – especially newbies who want to do it right – is another approach. It will probably help some as will more signs. Like most problems, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. This is just another way to reach a subset of folks. For me, a piece of paper works better than a sign, but a sign helps. On-line, text, twitter, etc. would not do me any good at all (I used technology, especially advanced technology, at work, so I avoid it at other times).

[dasgeh]

@DrP 123170 wrote:

They have signs on much of the CCT and in sections of the W&OD and other trails in the area.

There are signs on the Custis too. But they are small print, cluttered, hard to read, especially if you’re moving. My point is they need to be easy to read and digest for people moving. I hesitate to support the paper route because I doubt people will read them. Maybe produce trail etiquette pamphlets that can go out to the places that get the bike maps. One side could have tips for those “on two feet” and the other for those “on two (or one or three) wheels”.

[KLizotte]

@dasgeh 123181 wrote:

I hesitate to support the paper route because I doubt people will read them. Maybe produce trail etiquette pamphlets that can go out to the places that get the bike maps. One side could have tips for those “on two feet” and the other for those “on two (or one or three) wheels”.

I agree a lot of people may not read the info but I have found that I end up reading/looking at everything in the bike shop just to pass the time while waiting for my bike to be serviced, brought to the register, etc. If a newbie is waiting for his bike, that would be a good time for the LBS to hand him (or her) the pamplet since you have the “I’m gonna thumb thru the magazines at the checkout counter” syndrome happening. Or perhaps ask the LBS to hang up a poster with the same info at their cash register in a really prominent place. The same poster(s) could be hung up at the DMV, libraries, schools, athletic centers, and gas stations (yes, I know….I’m getting ahead of myself).

I kind of like the poster idea better; constant visual reinforcement, less paper waste.

[Tania]

@KLizotte 123185 wrote:

Or perhaps ask the LBS to hang up a poster with the same info at their cash register in a really prominent place.

I think that’s a GREAT idea.

*cough* CaBi Kiosks too *cough*

[DrP]

I like the poster idea – and at CaBi stations – make it part of the kiosk. I just think that something you can view when not already on the trail, and more open to reading something like, as stated, just hanging around waiting for the bike, shoe salesman to get your size, or what have you is what is needed.

[rcannon100]

@Tania 123169 wrote:

I can forgive the casual weekend MUP rider for most of their transgressions (plus, they’re pretty easy to spot from afar).

However, I do think every CaBi rental needs to come with a 5 minute “Don’t Be A Jerk*” video before undocking the bike.

* My actual choice of noun for your average CaBi-er isn’t forum-friendly.

But they look so cute as they bike across the 14th st bridge….. in the car traffic lanes……

[Author]

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