Jogging on the cycletrack

[dasgeh]

@Geoff 93299 wrote:

This morning, heading north on the 15th St. cycletrack, a jogger and I were on a collision course because he was in the (his) left-hand lane. I suppose he was thinking he should stay left, the same as he would on the roadway. I viewed it as a MUP where everyone should stay right.

We got past each other, no collision and no angry words, but wadya think: if you’re going to jog on a cycletrack, stay right or stay left?

How about, if you don’t have wheels, stay out of the cycletrack? I’m pretty sure there’s explicit law to that effect. Does anyone know where it is for DC?

[skins_brew]

@dasgeh 93300 wrote:

How about, if you don’t have wheels, stay out of the cycletrack? I’m pretty sure there’s explicit law to that effect. Does anyone know where it is for DC?

It is a cycletrack. Key word, cycle. I have seen a few people jogging on the 1st street cycletrack and I will usually remind them that the “sidewalk is over there.”

Now, the NE Branch Trail. That is a MUP. Big difference between a MUP and a cycle track.

[n18]

A jogger is always a pedestrian in the eyes of law. A bike on cycletrack/bike lane is a vehicle.

[jrenaut]

We’ve had this discussion before and I think someone clarified that it is illegal to jog in the street and the cycletrack is considered part of the street.

That said, I’m inclined to live and let live if the jogger isn’t causing any real delays.

[Harry Meatmotor]

the 1st street cycle track is getting worse as far as joggers go. Insight to the mindset of the jogger:

(coulda posted this on missed connections, but eh… whatevs)

You: two joggers running NB on the 1st cycletrack, taking both lanes
Me: rings my bell twice
you: nothing
me: slows behind you and says “you realize you’re running in the street, right?”
you: (pointing to the sidewalk) “but there’s people on the sidewalk!!!”
me: ugh…

I’ve resorted to skipping that cycle track most days.

interesting aside

i’ve now been flashed at and honked at twice in the last two weeks by oncoming car traffic along that section of 1st St with my Exposure Diablo 5 on high!

[dasgeh]

@Harry Meatmotor 93311 wrote:

the 1st street cycle track is getting worse as far as joggers go. Insight to the mindset of the jogger:

I actually went running along that stretch last week (I know, the horror – of running that is). The sidewalks there are much, much too narrow for the level of pedestrian traffic. I’m a little surprised that the cycletrack isn’t full of walking pedestrians during rush hours. Not that it justifies the runners’ behavior (especially running two abreast and not moving over), but the infrastructure there is just inadequate.

[jrenaut]

@dasgeh 93312 wrote:

I actually went running along that stretch last week (I know, the horror – of running that is). The sidewalks there are much, much too narrow for the level of pedestrian traffic. I’m a little surprised that the cycletrack isn’t full of walking pedestrians during rush hours. Not that it justifies the runners’ behavior (especially running two abreast and not moving over), but the infrastructure nearly everywhere is just inadequate. Unless you’re in a car then everything is awesome. Except the traffic because we’ve made it too easy to drive and too hard to do anything else.

Fixed that for you.

[mcfarton]

Remember as a cyclist we ask that cars take a moment and slow down for us. We can do the same for joggers.

[mstone]

@mcfarton 93328 wrote:

Remember as a cyclist we ask that cars take a moment and slow down for us. We can do the same for joggers.

See how well that works for you somewhere bikes are prohibited, like 495. We ask that cars respect our lawful use of the infrastructure, not that they respect our right to go anywhere just because.

[mcfarton]

@mstone 93331 wrote:

See how well that works for you somewhere bikes are prohibited, like 495. We all that cars respect our lawful use of the infrastructure, not that they respect our right to go anywhere just because.

Maybe you haven’t noticed but it doesn’t matter. The only people who like cyclists are other cyclists. I ride for fun and don’t let little things bother me. Relax and enjoy the ride.

[n18]

@mcfarton 93328 wrote:

Remember as a cyclist we ask that cars take a moment and slow down for us. We can do the same for joggers.

I would tell them they are considered pedestrians, and if they were hit, then they end up having to pay their own medical bills.

[mstone]

@mcfarton 93334 wrote:

Maybe you haven’t noticed but it doesn’t matter.

If it doesn’t matter, why did you bother to post in the first place?

[Steve]

I’m really conflicted on this, not at all sure how I actually feel.

When my brother visited me this summer, he wanted to go for like a 9 mile run, and so to ensure he didn’t get lost, I rode along side him. For part of his run, we went down Fairfax and Wilson from Ballston to Courthouse (and the reverse on the way home), and he ran in the bike lane there. It was early in the morning on the weekend, he was running at about 10mph, and so I thought it was pretty reasonable. In M St. thru Georgetown, I rode on the street and he ran on the sidewalk.

I guess I think lots of things matter. Time of day, sidewalk options/condition, etc. at 6 in the morning, things are quiet, bikes can easily ride around runners, and it’s not that big of a deal. Running on the street feels much better to lots of runners, especially those that log lots of miles. During rush hour, I tend to like it a little bit less, as going into the car travel lane isn’t always an option to pass, but then again I don’t get mad at slow cyclists that cause the same problem.

I guess if people are being predictable and courteous, then in general I’m ok with whatever.

[bobco85]

I view jogging in the cycletrack/bike lanes the same as I do with jaywalking in the street:

We should all understand that it’s illegal. Most of the time there is no issue, and it does not bother me to see jaywalkers there. Now, if they start to effect the normal flow of traffic like forcing people to go out of their way into other lanes/directions, they need to get back on the sidewalk because it would be safer for everyone. Lastly, no going against the flow of traffic! It’s not safe to have people coming at you in your lane of travel.

To sum up my point: if you’re a jogger who is about to break the law by being in the cycletrack/bike lane, be polite about it.

[Geoff]

@Steve 93343 wrote:

I guess if people are being predictable and courteous, then in general I’m ok with whatever.

That’s mostly where I’m at, so I didn’t really care that the guy was running on the cycletrack. My problem with the runner was the “predictable” part; I hate playing guessing games as to whether pedestrians will be on the right or left.

A simple bike lane, to me, is just another lane, and it is reasonable that pedestrians (including runners) will stay left. A cycletrack, with two lanes that are separated from motor traffic, is more akin to a MUP and pedestrians can use it but should stay right.

Maybe the real answer is for me to work on deep breathing exercises and not worry about it.

[Author]

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