| Further, the original topic was about bikers on the roads and most of them are not doing some errand, they’re exercising, and on road bikes they won’t be taking on trails.
Walking to the grocery store is great - and viable if one lives within a mile or so of the store. Great way to combine exercise and doing errands - do so myself even on a road bike when it makes sense but these occasions are the rare exception for most people. It depends on your riding skills Sara. I have made three trips to Donelan's almost entirely via our trails this week, carrying 10 to 15 lbs of groceries on my back. And if one takes a bit of a circuitous route, steep, technical trails can be avoided. BTW - I have no problem with horses using our trails. Kind Regards,
Scott Clary
617-968-5769 Oak Knoll
Sent from a mobile device - please excuse typos and errors
Most of the trails off-limits to bikes would not be suitable connectors anyway. Most often it has to do with topography. Rough trails are certainly not going to serve riders who are running errands to Donelans.
Building on Bob’s suggestion, currently cycling is officially prohibited on the majority of Lincoln’s trails. Wouldn’t allowing bike riding on these paths: - provide alternate commuting/errand routes that are safe from cars for adults and children? - provide local cyclists with an option to road riding and thereby ever so slightly reduce congestion. - free local trail riders from the guilt/frustration they feel every time they go out on the trails whether they are riding or not (what’s with all the signs? No this, no that?) - if you are vehemently opposed to it, please reconsider your assumptions or the circumstances that lead to your opposition. All my trail interactions over the last 19 years have been pleasant though one rarely encounters other trail users.
Nick Maynard Anne,
Roughly speaking I consider the “spine” of Lincoln the trail(s) that start at Rte 126, go towards and over the train tracks, along Farm Meadow (behind Lincoln Station), toward the schools and then to Sandy Pond Road. As roughly illustrated in the attached annotated map.
I believe one important part of changing “car culture” is to get people of of their cars and consider biking or walking, even for errands to Donelans, going to school, etc. Regardless of the aspirational hope that drivers will change their behavior and be more aware of cyclists, I think we won’t get more cyclists on the road until we have dedicated, protected infrastructure for efficient travel.
Personally, I think Lincoln would be a more enjoyable and desirable town if we could all get around without the need to be in a car.
Having moved a few years ago from Weston Road to Old Concord Road, my relationship to the town has become much better for the simple fact I can walk on a sidewalk or ride my bike from my home to Codman Farm, Donelans, Twisted Tree and the Post Office. I wish many more of my fellow citizens could do so feeling safe and protected.
Bob
What is meant by "the trail that goes up the spine of Lincoln"?
Yes, many roads in Lincoln are in dire need of repaving.
Melinda
….. which also implies that the majority of the roads in this town will have to be repaved first in order to accommodate-
It’s important to note that many cyclists spend a great deal of time navigating around broken or missing pavement, well jutting out into traffic lanes as a result-it’s extremely dangerous.
Vic
Bob,
I agree with the sentiment that we need to change the cultural relationship between drivers, cyclists and pedestrians, but having dedicated infrastructure for cyclists/pedestrians is also a very important components of creating safe and accessible multi-modal
transportation links. Hence dedicated bike lanes with physical barriers, rail trails, etc.
I’ve wondered and suggested to some that we consider enhancing the trail that goes up the spine of Lincoln so it can be used more by cyclists.
It’s currently designated as a bike trail, but is really only suited for mountain biking. Such an infrastructure investment would allow greater connectivity, including to the schools with riders and walkers not even being close to a road.
Bob
Bob, I feel, as a cyclist, that this only avoids the growth that we need to take as a society - where we all
really share the roads.
We've been car-centric for so long, the mentality that only cars/trucks really belong on the road is hard to shake. But, we'll get there with more awareness.
On Fri, Sep 1, 2023 at 2:13 AM Alida ZweidlerMcKay via Lincoln < [email protected]> wrote:
Amen to this:
as a conscientious driver, I hate a day when all the cyclists are out - I pray my way through Lincoln and Concord. I wish they had dedicated bike lanes.
I want bikes to be out on beautiful days in our gorgeous town. But I’m terrified to pass them and end up following forever until I feel like I can get around them safely. I’m sure I annoy both the cyclist and the cars
behind me.
Bike lanes seem unlikely, given the land they require, but I sure wish we had them!
--
Alida, I have to admit as a cyclist I get annoyed by cars that won't pass, though I know they're just trying to be careful. I also get very concerned when cars cross into the oncoming lane to pass - I've seen a number of close-calls when that happens.
I suggest keeping in mind the 4' law/rule - if you're leaving 4' and driving within the speed limit, the cyclist should be/feel safe.
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