BWL Column: Plenty of room for bikers and walkers if you play by the rules

 BWL's column this week features some simple "rules of the path" for peaceful coexistence for bikers and walkers on the many path systems throughout Lee County in this busy season.

News-Press "Go Coastal" section, March 20, 2013

If you’ve been out on the bike and shared-use paths in the past few weeks, you’ve noticed a lot of other people biking and walking out there with you. Usage is definitely on the rise – which is good for our area (maybe fewer cars on the road), good for our facilities (that’s what they are there for, after all) and good for biking and walking in many ways.

There really is safety in numbers since more bikers and walkers along the roadways reminds motorists to watch out for us, plus seeing people out enjoying the bike/walk paths inspires others to give it a try.
However, if you’re not used to biking or walking in a crowd or in sharing your path with many other users, there are some simple “rules of the path” that can keep coexistence peaceful:

BIKERS

• Signal your intentions: If other bikers or walkers don’t know you’re planning to turn or stop, you both could be in for a rude (and potentially painful) surprise. Simple hand signals let those nearby know your intentions – so use them.
• Ride the right direction: If you’re biking on the road, you’re considered traffic – so ride like it, not against it (even in a bike lane). It’s safer for you because motorists have a better chance of seeing you, and it’s smarter if everyone on the same side is heading in the same direction. (Oh, and it’s also the law.)
• Warn others when you’re passing: Both bikers and walkers deserve a shout-out if you’re overtaking them. It keeps them from being surprised and, even more important, it keeps them from accidentally veering into your path as you pass them. Also, a friendly greeting usually gets one in return, and makes everyone’s time outside more pleasant.
• Give pedestrians the right of way at all times: It doesn’t matter if they’re in your bike lane, if they’re at fault or if they might make you slow down in the middle of your training ride. Common sense and the law dictate pedestrians have the right of way – period.
• Play nice with others: Be aware of your surroundings (so no headphones… or at least use ones you can hear through). Get out of people’s way… don’t stop in the middle of the bike path, move off to the side. Work it out when waiting at an intersection… there’s room for everyone (and if there’s not, wait until there is). Respect that everyone rides or walks at different speeds, so get out of the way if you’re slow and be patient if you’re fast.

WALKERS

• Walk this way: You also need to stay on the correct side. On the road, that means you walk facing traffic (so you can see who’s going to run you over), while on a shared-use path you typically (but not always) stay to the right.
• Be aware of others: On a shared path, be aware that bikers could be coming up behind you (or at you) much faster than you can walk. Also, don’t be so distracted (by the phone, the iPod or your distraction du jour) that you stop paying attention to what’s going around you.
• Leave some room to pass: Yes, you like to walk side-by-side with your friends engaged in conversation. But if the path is narrow or the traffic heavy, stay single file for a while until there’s more room for everyone to travel.
• Don’t assume: Just because you think another walker, biker or motor vehicle is going to stop/go/turn/swerve doesn’t mean they actually will… so be prepared when they don’t and pleasantly surprised when they do.
• Watch your kids, pets, strollers and stuff: This area has great places to walk your dog, stroll with friends and family or just simply get outside. But if you’re sharing your space with others you need to be aware of all your stuff… including dogs (always on a leash, of course) that wander or want to chase a bike, kids who also wander or can dash around unexpectedly, strollers that can be unwieldy or roll with a mind of their own, etc.
• Bottom line: There’s room for everyone on our local bike lanes and shared-use paths if you combine commons sense with common courtesy. And if these lanes and paths get too busy… well, then we can all reach out to our elected officials to build more of them!
• A final note: In Southwest Florida we know every month is bicycle month, but March is Florida’s official Bicycle Month. There’s even a proclamation with the appropriate number of "whereases" to make the point clear. Just another good reason to go for a ride.

Upcoming events

Running/walking
• Saturday, March 29: Scope for Hope 5K, Hammond Stadium, Fort Myers. 8 a.m. (ftmyerstrackclub.com)
• April 12: African Aid 5K, New Hope Presbyterian Church. 3825 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers. 7:30 a.m. (fortmyerstraclub.com)
• May 10: Turtle Trot 5K, Lovers Key State Park, 8 a.m. (fortmyerstraclub.com)
Cycling and other events
• Sunday, March 23: Legacy Trail Tour de Parks Ride. Stat and finish at the historic Venice train depot, 303 East Venice Avenue. 16-, 37- and 62- mile rides, fully supported, lunch included (legacytrailfriends.org).
• Saturday, March 29: Walk, Wheel, & Wobble for Ataxia, Florida Gulf Coast University. 10-, 30- and 62-mile rides, 5K run (knowataxia.webs.com/)
• Saturday, April 5: Pedal and Play in Paradise, five different rides start in Punta Gorda including 15-, 30- and 62-miles rides, a 10-mile poker run and a City Manager’s History Tour. All rides benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and TEAM Punta Gorda’s bicycle-friendly initiatives. SAG support and lunch included (http://www.pedalandplayinparadise.com/)
• Sunday, April 13: Immokalee Ride for Literacy, 15-, 30- and 62-mile rides. SAG support and lunch included (www.caloosariders.org/)
• Sunday, April 13: Everglades Ride, McLeod Park, Everglades City, sponsored by Naples Pathways Coalition and River of Grass Greenway. On-road rides 16 to 62 miles, plus an off-pavement 27-mile ride. SAG support and lunch included (evergladesROGG.org)
  
— BikeWalkLee is a community coalition raising public awareness and advocating for complete streets in Lee County—streets that are designed, built, operated and maintained for safe and convenient travel for all users: pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and transit riders of all ages and abilities. Information, statistics and background at BikeWalkLee.org.

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