While we're on this subject, and in the spirit of constant improvement, we should participate in evaluating the method of repair. Does the repair suit the use of the surface (including narrow bicycle wheels)?
I notice that crack filling involves a process that enlarges the opening and then fills it with a soft rubber-like material to seal out the weather. This results in a groove unfortunately nearly the same width as a bicycle wheel. This is fine as long as the crack is perpendicular to the direction of travel. However, it is most problematic when the patched crack is parallel (or nearly so) with the direction of travel. I've noted that these patched cracks catch the wheel and tend to deflect the bicycle's direction of travel. This can sometimes lead to a (thankfully for me so far, temporary) loss of control. There are several sections of the Southwest Bicycle Path (between Commonwealth and Glenway) with this characteristic. I merge onto the on-coming lane if possible to avoid these areas. I've noticed the same issues with this type of pavement crack sealing on roads and streets. Of course, the wide wheel of an automobile or truck is not so affected as is a bicycle. I'm glad to see my taxes are being applied to the long-term life cycle of these city assets; surface maintenance being one element of the life of our non-motorized transportation grid. I hope some day we have so many users of bike paths that filling their pot holes becomes as much a part of a standard city service as we it is for streets and roads. Remembering, of course, that bicycle paths have different users, characteristics, and engineering requirements. Anyone seen any studies on filling cracks on bicycle paths, loss-of-control crashes, etc.? -----Original Message----- From: Sent: Thursday, November 02, 2006 9:04 AM To: [email protected] Subject: [Bikies] Crack Filling on Bike Paths Many of you may have noticed that the city cracked filled a number of bike paths within the past two months. This pavement maintenance and preservation effort is welcome and much needed. [snip] Path pavement maintenance efforts have finally been brought up to the same level as streets. _______________________________________________ Bikies mailing list [email protected] http://www.danenet.org/mailman/listinfo/bikies
