07-03-2016, 06:16 PM
Several MUTs these days have been paved using concrete, which in many cases makes them indistinguishable from sidewalks, the only way to know is literally to read the construction contract. The city could fix it with signage but hasn't yet done so.
That being said, the reason for building MUTs and cycle lanes, in my mind, is the poor design of MUTs. Proper segregated cycle lane with good intersection design, and separated from pedestrians works just fine for racing cyclists. I experienced this personally in the Netherlands, there really is no issue with racing cyclists on the cyclepaths. However, our trails do not function that way. This means to accommodate both casual cyclists and racing cyclists both are really needed. And even then, the experience for casual cyclists is really quite compromised (no legal safety at intersections, slower cycling time, many dismounts to push ped beg buttons, very bumpy because of curbs, etc.).
But I will give the region credit for building both, it makes a decent effort to provide for all types of cyclists, given the current limitations.
That being said, the reason for building MUTs and cycle lanes, in my mind, is the poor design of MUTs. Proper segregated cycle lane with good intersection design, and separated from pedestrians works just fine for racing cyclists. I experienced this personally in the Netherlands, there really is no issue with racing cyclists on the cyclepaths. However, our trails do not function that way. This means to accommodate both casual cyclists and racing cyclists both are really needed. And even then, the experience for casual cyclists is really quite compromised (no legal safety at intersections, slower cycling time, many dismounts to push ped beg buttons, very bumpy because of curbs, etc.).
But I will give the region credit for building both, it makes a decent effort to provide for all types of cyclists, given the current limitations.