Strava segments on multi-use paths

[Raymo853]

What do folks think about Strava segments being created on the multi-use paths like the WO&D, C&O and Mt Vernon trail?

I am 100% against them. Each time I ride on the paths, my opinion is reinforced. There is such a wide range of user types and speeds, the last thing needed is any additional mechanism encouraging reckless behavior. My opinion on this really started after I got hit by another rider on the Capital Crescent and ended up with a dislocated shoulder. He never stopped by the way. He was trying to pass a slower rider while drafting another rider who barely cleared me.

Just yesterday I got in an argument with a guy defending his reckless blast between baby carriages. He said he expects others users to follow single-file and other protocols as to not hinder his attempt to set a best time. It encouraged me to go home and flag all the segments between Hunter Mill Rd and the end in Arlington. I found many already flagged, including ones titled !Please don’t flag! and !Only petty people flag segments!

I have flagged a lot of segments, especially those on the 14th street bridge multi-use path. I flagged so many that Strava contacted me and asked me to justify my actions. I did and their final statement was one of support of what I did. I know getting rid of segments will not stop the problems on these paths, but it cannot hurt.

Topic

[KLizotte]

I generally don’t condone flagging the MUP segments because I believe that is punishing all the good riders for the poor actions of a few (that may or may not be behaving badly because of Strava). In the afternoons and weekends when the MUPs are busy I always put safety first for everyone on the trail. In the mornings, because my start time is later than most, I am almost always the only person on the MVT heading in my direction. Often I don’t see anyone in the other direction either. Why shouldn’t I be able to push myself then and be able to compare my times (I’m referring to those sections where I have full view of the trail, no blind curves)? I’m of no danger to anyone other than the errant squirrel. I use the segments judiciously like most cyclists do. To punish everyone is like saying all cyclists are now banned from the MUPs because a cyclist hit a pedestrian.

If what you say is true – that the idiot cyclists are motivated by Strava segments – then they will easily find ways around the banned segments (e.g., creating new ones, simply timing themselves the old fashioned way, creating private segments, etc.).

[rpiretti]

I’ve used Stava enough to know that this is particularly dreadful news for the folks who DO use it each day. Like it’s been said, winter time is great for gaining more speed and safely at that.

Raymo, obviously you like to use this forum to express your opinions but this time you came to some opposition. I’d think about contacting Strava to correct this and reverse your decision. But…if you feel so strongly, alas.

I am astonished that Strava let’s just anyone flag segments. I’ve actually ran through this scenario in my head before and thought someone could do just this. Just a matter of time.

Anyone up for designing a new app?!

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[TwoWheelsDC]

Yep, people weren’t a-holes until that durned Strava machine came along…

[Raymo853]

I did not read everything above, but….

People were jerks before Stava, I know that, but things out there are getting worse all the time.

I am not the only one flagging segments out there. There were just a handful not flagged on the section I covered. I have ridden ever inch of the paths around here. I only flag those in the very crowded and heavily used places.

Based on the opinions I have got from non bike friends, (mainly runners) the hate for cyclists that builds from places the wo&d and rock creek park on the weekends is immense.

I am shocked stravas lawyers allow the public to create segments. I know that won that one lawsuit but suspect if a third party is involved in the next they will not.

I flew to catch the guy after that traffic cleared. Yes this proves my hypocrisy as I well exceeded 30 to get up to him. Am yes I found satisfaction to catch him on my knobby 29er while he was at full steam on his time trail bike on the aero bars.

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[Jason B]

@Raymo853 72897 wrote:

I flew to catch the guy after that traffic cleared. Yes this proves my hypocrisy as I well exceeded 30 to get up to him. Am yes I found satisfaction to catch him on my knobby 29er while he was at full steam on his time trail bike on the aero bars.
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I am sorry I questioned any of this. Your explanation of going approximately 35 on a mountain bike to catch an elite on TT bike clears everything up.
Thanks

[leadandsteel]

post your strava results or it did not happen.

[Amalitza]

@Raymo853 72868 wrote:

There is no such thing as a non-hazardous segment on a multi-use path.

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If this is true then there is no such thing as a non-hazardous section, period, unless it is on a closed course.

There is always a potential for conflict with other trail and/or road users if people will ride recklessly or inconsiderately.

[Subby]

@Raymo853 72897 wrote:

Based on the opinions I have got from non bike friends, (mainly runners) the hate for cyclists that builds from places the wo&d and rock creek park on the weekends is immense.

Gee, well I guess we have a scientific survey on our hands. Flag on!

[Fast Friendly Guy]

@KLizotte 72887 wrote:

I generally don’t condone flagging the MUP segments because I believe that is punishing all the good riders for the poor actions of a few (that may or may not be behaving badly because of Strava). … I’m of no danger to anyone other than the errant squirrel.

…and don’t forget those errant geese on the MVT!

[jnva]

Between hunter mill and vienna, the only thing you’re in danger if hitting is deer. Dang it, why does my iphone always autocorrect “of” to “if”???

[Jason B]

@Raymo853 72897 wrote:

I flew to catch the guy after that traffic cleared. Yes this proves my hypocrisy as I well exceeded 30 to get up to him. Am yes I found satisfaction to catch him on my knobby 29er while he was at full steam on his time trail bike on the aero bars.

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I am sorry that I questioned any of this. The fact that you were able to go approximately 35 on a mountain bike to catch an elite on a TT clears everything up.

I originally deleted the above comment for it did not really flow with the positive stuff that goes on through this site, but I stumbled across your Blog, and it appears that you’re proud to flag strava segments. I can only imagine that several of your previous flags were based on similar experiences to your recent 35mph incident. Btw, 35 on knobbies is terribly impressive for a “reverse Lemonder”.
I understand the need to flag certain segments, but your recent massive flagging was haphazardly done and hurt many average commuters who need a little extra to make the commute enjoyable. I would like to point out that I rarely travel any of the flag sections, but I know many who do. For all those commuters, this is one BikeArlington member who would like to apologize for the flagging.
Also, as a husband of a marathoner who frequently runs the MVT, WOD and other paths at night, my wife is comforted by the numerous BikeArlington commuters with their bright lights, and loud voices that would instantly have her back if trouble arose. Without them constantly coming by, I doubt if she would be running at night. So, your circle of runner friends may hate bikers, mine does not.

[Raymo853]

@acl 72901 wrote:

If this is true then there is no such thing as a non-hazardous section, period, unless it is on a closed course.

There is always a potential for conflict with other trail and/or road users if people will ride recklessly or inconsiderately.

I was wrong to make such a blanket statement about the paths. I will still say I am against segments in the heavily used parts.

And for those regular users that only care about judging themselves versus themselves, you can make private segments that no one else can see, use or flag.

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[dbb]

@Raymo853 72907 wrote:

I was wrong to make such a blanket statement about the paths. I will still say I am against segments in the heavily used parts.

Heavily used is a relative term. On my run up the MVT this morning (about 0615), I passed one runner (a ninja that accepted a free BikeArlington reflective band) and was passed by one cyclist. I suppose I could have safely ridden the Gravelly Point to 14th Street Bridge at almost any speed without hazard to others. That couldn’t be said for the same path on a nice morning in May (and certainly not at mid-day on a nice weekend day).

“Heavily used” is a very relative term and to argue a segment is hazardous without context (weather, light, other users, etc) is unreasonable.

[creadinger]

I’ll never compete for the top 10 for most of the segments around here, but knowing they were there made me work harder for myself to get PRs and such. And how exactly is the 14th street bridge hazardous when you’re the ONLY one on it? Sure, I guess I can recreate all these segments for myself, but I’m not going to spend hours doing that. Thanks for making the decision that all of those segments are unsafe and dangerous for everyone. I promise you, the jerks who go too fast and pass unsafely will still be going too fast and passing unsafely tomorrow. Strava is just the excuse for bad behavior.

On my commute home heading south on the MVT towards Gravelly Point there’s this girl whom the only time I ever see her she’s passing up the middle between me and someone else. Her timing is ridiculously bad and it’s obvious that she’ll pass whatever, whenever. I guarantee however her reason for doing this isn’t Strava segment PRs. It’s because she’s a selfish #$$%.

[Raymo853]

I know what I am doing is not a solution to the growing problem. And yes I know at low use times it is ok to go quick. But based on my observations, there are a many riders that do not wait for appropriate times.

I see the need for something that will be much less popular than flagging, enforced bicycle speed limits.

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