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Bikers Beware
updated: Aug 16, 2012, 3:15 PM

By Edhat Subscriber

Is the law against riding bikes on the Shoreline Park walking paths ever enforced? There is "no bikes allowed" signage on all the entrances as well as on the path itself in numerous places. Maybe it's due to the summers season but lately we have noticed a marked increase in people riding their bikes on the park paths. We walk our dog there at least daily and lately have been almost run down, yelled, at, and forced of the paths by people on bikes on a regular basis. I find it incredibly rude and disrespectful to yell at walkers not getting out of the way when they shouldn't be on the path in the first place. There is a nice bike lane on the road there that is perfectly reasonable to ride in, as I use it all the time. I understand small children learning to ride a bike and the like, I really don't have a problem with that even though it's not really the greatest place for it, but adults and even parents that blatantly ignore the signage and disrespect the other park users is totally uncalled for.

Comments in order of when they were received | (reverse order)

COMMENT 309178	2012-08-16 03:20 PM
It's never enforced; the cops are too busy with serious crime in this city. It's one of those laws that they hope will be obeyed and can't do much about. If you are really big and nasty, you can enforce it yourself. Really the only rule that is needed in that situation is the "golden rule". If you think Shoreline is bad, wait until you go hiking on one of our trails and one of those bikers that get driven to the top of the mountain comes blasting downhill at high speed.
COMMENT 309180	2012-08-16 03:24 PM
Biking down trails is %100 LEGAL!
COMMENT 309181	2012-08-16 03:26 PM
Who knows. Unless you were the one actually stopped by a cop, it would appear that it is never enforced. But no one can know for sure. I used to think the jaywalking law was never enforced until a friend got pinched crossing Carrillo recently.
COMMENT 309184	2012-08-16 03:27 PM
Ditto, 180! Although I always, always put a bell on my bike to warn people, everyone should (though I'm pretty sure it's not legally required)
COMMENT 309186	2012-08-16 03:32 PM
The thing is riding the trials IS legal, riding Shoreline is not. Best bet is like sidewalks, just pretend the bikers aren't even there, don't move or pull your dog in; they are forced to slow or get off their bikes, if they get pissy politely inform them the paths are not open to bikes and there is a sweet bike lane just right over there.
COMMENT 309191	2012-08-16 03:39 PM
Just wait for someone that rides a bike or their child rides a bike on that path and gets sued. Then they will go by the rules.
COMMENT 309192	2012-08-16 03:42 PM
Today when a lady and I were crossing at one of those mid-block cross walks on State Street with a green light the lady was only an inch from being run over by 2 boys, one on a skateboard and the other on a scooter, that ran the red light. They were about 12-13, wish a cop had been there to ticket them! But no, they are seldom around for stuff like that, unless they are operating a sting. There is very little police presence downtown these days. Used to see police on bikes, horses and on foot mingling with the public but guess those days are behind us. It's unfortunate! :(
COMMENT 309202	2012-08-16 03:59 PM
can't we all just get along? It's a really wide path. If someone wants to walk it, great. If someone wants to ride it, great. Just respect each other. It's really not that hard. Yield to pedestrians. And pedestrians, don't be jerks. If you can step to one side so someone is able to ride by, why not? LOVE EACH OTHER. Maybe YOU will want to ride on it at some point. Or maybe you will want to teach your kid how to ride his/her bike somewhere that's safe, away from traffic. My point is, let's all be kind to each other.
COMMENT 309206	2012-08-16 04:07 PM
Too funny, I thought it was a bike path, not a walking path.
COMMENT 309208	2012-08-16 04:07 PM
Biking down trails is legal in most cases. However bicyclists must yield to hikers, and both bicyclists and hikers must yield to horses.
COMMENT 309209	2012-08-16 04:11 PM
Shoreline is on my regular biking/excercise route. I usually ride uphill on the bike path, then continue on the sidewalk for the very short stretch that takes you to the easterly lookout for a breather (where the fence is). Perhaps 20 yards? Although I'm technically on my bike for that short stretch, I always coast at walking speed so as not to scare any pedestrians. I'll look them in the eye to let them know I see them and smile to be friendly. I never yell. If I want to go farther on the sidewalk, I get off my bike. Never had a problem with anyone in all these years. If you're purposely taking up the entire sidewalk because you see a bike coming and resent or don't like them being there, then I'd say you're setting yourself up for confrontation (regardless of who's right/wrong).
COMMENT 309223	2012-08-16 04:43 PM
180 what are you talking abuot? I don't downhill at all but it is 100% legal on SOME trails. Have you not noticed the signs saying who is supposed to yield to who? Bikes are on that sign.
COMMENT 309228	2012-08-16 04:55 PM
It's the dogs that are annoying
COMMENT 309229	2012-08-16 04:56 PM
The bikers shouldnt be riding their bikes on it, just like people should walk on the sidewalk of cabrillo rather than the bike path.... It's gonna happen regardless of whether it is enforced, but as long as everyone stays awake we should all be fine
COMMENT 309231	2012-08-16 04:57 PM
Bikes should stay off the sidewalk, and people walking should stay off the bike path. I don't even ride on the path along Cabrillo, there are too many people walking 4 wide taking up both lanes every time. I'd rather ride in the street.
COMMENT 309239	2012-08-16 05:28 PM
The no bikes on Shoreline will be enforced if you call the police and report that it is an ongoing problem. All it takes is a little police presence for a short time to get the point across. As for the bike/walk path at Cabrillo....sorry but it IS a shared path. Unfortunately we are not like Santa Monica that has a designated bike AND walk path. I agree that it is a dangerous situation when you mix bikes, surreys and people all on the same narrow path. As for mountain bikes and hikers on trails at the same time very dangerous indeed. I heard that there was going to be certain days for bikes to use certain trails so bikers and hikers would not be on the same trail at the same time. No one comes out the winner if there is a collision, but designating certain days for both would solve the problem and seems like a fair solution to me. We all need safe and enjoyable outdoor recreation, but not at the expense of serious injury.
COMMENT 309248	2012-08-16 06:13 PM
Dogs off leash is a bigger problem. There and up at Mesa Park. The signs are just ignored.
COMMENT 309250	2012-08-16 06:16 PM
There's been talk about implementing odd/even days for at least 6 years. Is it finally going to happen? In terms of mountain biking accidents, I'm aware of one in 2003 when a biker collided with a hiker. Then in 2005, there was the horse named Rocket who died after being spooked by some bikes. Have there been any other incidents between hikers, bikers, and equestrians? If not, I suspect we're a lot safer than down south (where many of the irresponsible downhill riders come to visit from).
REDTOP	2012-08-16 06:20 PM
Sidewalks are for WALKING! As a daily pedestrian, I really get fed up with bicyclists and skateboarders creating dangerous situations because they can't be bothered to follow simple courtesy rules. The sidewalks are for walkers, plain and simple!
COMMENT 309263	2012-08-16 07:03 PM
9239... what we need is the return of civility. For a "civilized country" we sure aren't very civil to each other or the rest of the world.
COMMENT 309273	2012-08-16 07:40 PM
Let's apply common sense to the bike rules on Shoreline. There are playgrounds there and a lot of little kids ride through there. I ride with my son carefully and respectfully on that wide path, rather than put him out on Shoreline Drive. Walkers you don't need to give us or anyone else in that situation a dirty look (most don't). Spandex Road Bikers of course belong out in the street and I don't believe I have ever seen one on the park path.
COMMENT 309276	2012-08-16 08:14 PM
All bicycles should be licensed.... The fees can go to developing more bike paths. Clearly bicycles are subject to the same laws as automobiles and are not to be ridden on pedestrian walkways. If licensed, bicycles can be identified and reported by offended parties.
COMMENT 309279	2012-08-16 08:31 PM
Are you kidding? We have plenty in this town, and don't let uptight people try and police this type of thing. People will do what they please and some of them it will catch up to them. We do not need more complaining and uptight citizen / police. Don't let a few punk kids who tare down the sidewalks destroy it for people who are cruising on there beach cruiser at a walking pace. Take a deep breath and relax!
COMMENT 309280P	2012-08-16 08:32 PM
273: It might be a better example to your son to obey the law and walk your bikes on the pedestrian path. No one would give you a dirty look if you were obeying the rules.
MESARATS	2012-08-16 08:46 PM
Wow I live 2 blocks away, and have gone to Shoreline since it was built and never noticed that it was an issue. If people are riding they are generally going pretty slow, poking along, cruising down to check the surf or young kids, but since it is the law the 4 year olds should also ride in the street. I must say the Mesa is losing the easy live and let live beach town feel that that attracted so many to this "undesirable" area. For those who want a police state and expect to the cops to respond to every minor infraction because It is the LAW, what percentage of your income in addional taxes are you willing to give up? I think the available resources would be better used having beat cops walking the high crime areas rather than ticketing 4 year olds and seniors.
COMMENT 309285	2012-08-16 08:49 PM
"Enforcement?" I enjoyed reviewing the leaf blower rules yesterday. Gas ones are entirely illegal! Good luck on the bikes
COMMENT 309401P	2012-08-17 08:24 AM
"Why can't we all just get along?" - Rodney

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