At about 6:30 p.m. Sunday near the eastern end of the Dave Clark Path.
Branches crashing down from the riverside trees are not a common hazard on Albany’s Dave Clark Riverfront Path. But it can happen.
Several times a week I ride a segment of the Clark path on the bike. Here’s an episode from Sunday evening:
This path, a little longer than a mile, is not exactly overrun. But it is increasingly shared by cyclists, by other people on all manner of wheels from boards to scooters and kids’ tricycles, and by walkers with or without dogs.
Here’s a thought completely unrelated to falling branches.
A few times in recent weeks I’ve been passed by riders on electric bikes. I guessed their speed at close to 15 or 20 mph. That’s way too fast for a shared path.
The last thing we need is more rules, but shared paths like this are supposed to be off limits to motorized vehicles, a category that logically should include electric motors.
This should be obvious but may be worth saying anyway:
As more people use this path, including families with little kids, the more careful those of us on wheels have to be. A little courtesy and consideraton for others goes a long way. (hh)
Like guns, the real problem is not the device but the behavior.
Agreed here we go having too enforce more regulations on people who have little regard for safety and sharing paths.
I ride an electric scooter and ALWAYS slow and give the right of way to others on the Dave Clark path, as well as thanking those who allow me to pass by them slowly. I have only had a negative experience on the path when walking my dog, some cyclists will come up silently and whip past without warning or regard for the fact that I need to collect my dog and extended leash.
You’re going to have to pay your PERS dues now.;)
The streets that are also state highways like Pacific & Santiam seem more troublesome to me. One has to pick their way through the debris and is more distracted to other vehicles. Especially silent ones coming from directly behind.
The city won’t sweep the bike lanes (where all the crap accumulates due to the crown of the road) because they are a STATE HWY. We have a City Roadmaster that won’t do anything about it, including having our street sweeper make a pass once or twice a month.
I’m an old burned out, retired paramedic/FF who used ride his bike 18 miles to work – 40 years ago. Before that, I was a teenager who rode his bike 10 miles to Tigard HS.
I taught myself to ride my friend’s bike when I was 4 – and I used to ride and ride and ride.
When my wife and kids have me an electric bike for my birthday last fall, I suddenly felt like I was 25 again.
According to my watch, I average about 10mph. Last Saturday I rode 12½ miles (Looney to 34 to Oakville to Queen and back to my home near LBCC). It was beautiful, awesome, and live giving.
This bike may save my life.
Just because it is electric, I won’t automatically become a jerk.