Strava segments on multi-use paths

[Jason B]

@Raymo853 72913 wrote:

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

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So, something less than 35 perhaps?

[hozn]

I’m gonna take an unpopular stance here and give some Strava-style kudos to Raymo853 for making an effort to improve respect on the trails (however ineffective we may think the tactics are) and for owning up to flagging the segments in a forum full of cyclists — many of whom might have been on those leaderboards at one time. Now, that said … Raymo853, people on this forum are going to be rightly insulted that you have lumped everyone that cared to track these Strava segments as hazardous cyclists — and taken away their ability to use common sense and good judgement when deciding whether it is safe to attempt a PR on a segment that might be busy with pedestrians at other times of the day. You were unlikely to find a sympathetic audience here when the your “question” to the group was essentially “should I treat you all like children who don’t know how to behave responsibly on MUTs?”

Anyway, despite disagreeing with indiscriminate flagging of MUT segments, I think Strava is right to let just anyone [that has ridden the route] flag segments. If the flagging truly is abusive, there is an avenue for that. I am sure that Strava will side with Raymo853 in this case, though, because this does fall into a gray area (I’m sure that may times of the day these would indeed be hazardous — and as we see here it only takes one donkey to ruin it for everyone .)

I think the reality for us cyclists is that segments on MUTs (at least the trafficed sections) are going away. It might be nice if Strava could come up with a middle ground where the segments exist for tracking or PRs but no awarding of KOMs or overall ranking etc. That may not make much sense, but it seems like there could be something between “no segment” and “contested KOM”. Strava has started down this road a little by not sending out “you lost your KOM” emails when the segment is considered a “downhill” segment (net negative grade).

[Raymo853]

@Jason B 72914 wrote:

So, something less than 35 perhaps?

I am not shy in saying I am a hypocrite for blasting along in an adrenaline rage to catch that Fred. So what in VA is $5 per mph of violation, so that should be $100 fine. Tell you what, first to pick a bike related charity gets me to make that donation to them in their name. (I suggest Phoenix but it is your pick)

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[mstone]

Bicycle speed limits are nothing more than rhetorical bombs. We can’t even get enforced speed limits for cars (which actually kill large numbers of people) but we’re supposed to treat seriously the suggestion that bicycles should have speed limits because…you don’t like certain cyclists? And for everyone else: we’re still in the tail end of the holiday season, can’t we find something more pleasant to do than feeding the trolls?

[jabberwocky]

As I’ve commented before, I think Strava has become a lightning rod for behavior that has existed since long before Strava (and even GPS ride tracking) was around. People seem quick to blame strava for peoples poor behavior, but those people were doing the same thing before strava, and flagging segments is going to do absolutely nothing to improve their behavior.

My personal observations are that little has changed since I began commuting on the W&OD in 2005, other than that there are simply more people out there. About the only thing different is we have a handy thing to blame when we see someone riding like a dickcopter.

[Steve O]

If my neighbors hold a loud, obnoxious party, do I get alcohol banned from the whole state? Wouldn’t that help solve “the problem?”

[Raymo853]

OK folks, you have convinced me to change my behavior in two ways. First when it comes to flagging stuff on the WO&D and other multi-use paths, I am not going to do it again. I still advocate for those of you that want to check and compare your own progress, establish private segments only you can see. My non-flagging statement does not apply to stuff down in DC mall area, no one will convince me not to flag those segments.

Second, I am banning myself from riding the WO&D during busy periods. Every time I do, I get too irritated by what I observe. I stayed away from April 2011 (when I ending up punching some guy and then got a lecture by a riding Methodist minister) until just recently. My almost getting into a fist fight again this weekend proves I have to stay away.

[KLizotte]

@Raymo853 73045 wrote:

Second, I am banning myself from riding the WO&D during busy periods. Every time I do, I get so irritated. I stayed off from April 2011 (when I ending up punching some guy) until just recently. And my almost getting into a fist fight again this weekend proves I have to stay away.

OK, just out of curiosity, if a pedestrian (say a jogger with headphones on pulling a u-turn) or a novice cyclist (say on a Cabi) does something brainless that endangers someone, do you have the same reaction or is it only against more advanced cyclists?

[Raymo853]

I am finished discussing this online, ask me Thursday at the happy hour if you wish.

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[Geoff]

What frustrates me in reading this thread is thinking about all the people I’d like to tell off (the dog walker who nearly clotheslined me with a leash, the guys riding three abreast and wouldn’t make room, for example), and all the times I’ve needed forgiveness for doing something dumb. So, overall, I understand where Raymo is coming from, but suggest that he relax.

[jnva]

I can understand the frustration, I get that a lot, but it’s aimed at stupid drivers. Anybody on the MUT, you need to be the better person and slow down, take a deep breath, and just keep going. The W&OD is supposed to be a place to relax, not get into a fight.

[Raymo853]

I assume one of you folks made this just recently. http://www.strava.com/segments/6298195 I hope you did not beter my time from 2011 of 5:44.

[jopamora]

Leaderboards are back for hazardous segments, but you have to sign a waiver. No, KOMs or QOMs and you can’t set a goal on a hazardous segment.

[Powerful Pete]

Honestly this is so silly. Personal responsibility Mr. Strava… we all have it [potentially, at least]. :rolleyes:

[hozn]

I think it is fine. While there is certainly something to be said for personal responsibility, things get a little hazy when you open things up for competition. And someone that might know better normally finds themselves pushing 35mph on the MVT. But it’s 6am, should be safe, right?

We have no shortage of excellent and challenging road segments around here that have cyclists moving at car-like speeds (i.e. sharing the road with similar-speed vehicles). Racing on the MUPs just is not necessary. There were always private segments for the folks that argue that they just want to track their speed day to day.

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