Safety

Trail safety concerns:

  1. open lines of sight to eliminate user conflict
  2. sunburn
  3. heatstroke
  4. getting lost
  5. venomous snakes
  6. poisonous plants
  7. ticks, and mosquitoes
  8. tripping hazards
  9. exposure/cliffs
  10. lightning
  11. hypothermia and altitude sickness…thank goodness these are not problems we face in Oceanside!

Some Cases Against Bike Paths, or how/where not to put them: link

If you leave the trail for the street:

Class I – off-street paved bike paths Class II – on-street striped and signed bicycle lanes Class III – on-street shared-lane signed bicycle routes
 Off-street paths are facilities on a separate right-of-way from roadways, and are usually shared by bicyclists and pedestrians. Shared paths are recreational facilities and should not be used as high-speed bikeways, as the safety of the other non-motorized users must be considered.  Bicycle lanes are on-street facilities that use painted stripes and stencils to delineate the right of way assigned to bicyclists and motorists, and to provide for more predictable movements by each.  Bicycle routes are signed on-street facilities that accommodate vehicles and bicycles in the same travel lane. Bicycles are permitted on most roadways; however, for safety purposes, signed bicycle routes are often found on streets with lower speeds and traffic volumes.

Bike Lanes and Paths: A Primer

cycle_trackPHYSICALLY PROTECTED PATH OR ‘CYCLE-TRACK’ (Class 1)
  • Street Layout: Sidewalk – Bike Lane – Painted Buffer – Parked Cars – Vehicle Lane
  • Where You’ll Find One:
  • On the Oceanside Bike Map:
 two_wayBI-DIRECTIONAL PROTECTED PATH (Class 1)
  • Street Layout: Sidewalk – Bi-Directional Bike Lane – Painted Buffer – Parked Cars – Vehicle Lane
  • Where You’ll Find One:
  • On the Oceanside Bike Map:
 buffered_laneBUFFERED BIKE LANE (Class 2)
  • Street Layout: Sidewalk – Parked Cars – Bike Lane – Painted Buffer – Vehicle Lane
  • Where You’ll Find One:
  • On the Oceanside  Bike Map:
standard_laneSTANDARD PAINTED BIKE LANE (Class 2)
  • Street Layout: Sidewalk – Parked Cars – Bike Lane – Vehicle Lane or Sidewalk – Green Bike Lane – Vehicle Lane
  • Where You’ll Find One:
  • On the Oceanside Bike Map:
 sharrowsSHARED LANE OR ‘SHARROWS’ (Class 3)
  • Street Layout: Vehicle Lane with Bicycle Markings on Pavement to Indicate Shared Space
  • Where You’ll Find One:
  • On the Oceanside Bike Map:
routeSIGNED ROUTE (Class 3)
  • Street Layout: Bicycle Signs Marking Designated Bike Route
  • Where You’ll Find One:
  • On the Oceanside Bike Map:
“GREENWAY” PATH
  • Greenways are shared bicycle and pedestrian paths, almost always separated from motor vehicle traffic. Greenways are one part linear park and another part car-free riding paradise. They can be a great way to get the hang of city cycling.
  • Where You’ll Find One: Along San Luis Rey
  • On the Oceanside Bike Map: Solid Red Lines

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