This is an equal opportunity rant to runners and cyclists, you both need to calm the heck down!
Lake Shore Drive is Chicago's lake front trail, one of the most popular destinations in our city for tourists, volleyball players, runners bikers and yes, people who just want to go to the beach. We all have to share it.
While I was participating in the Bicycle Illinois Tri. State Tour we rode along Lake Shore Drive. As I dodged runners, strollers, other bikes and one very confused older lady, it made me think about how many people are out there and how we all need to follow a few basic rules.
Runners-
I will start with you. "On The Left!!!!" Does not mean move to your left, look to your left or your left side is your best side, it means, someone, usually a bike is approaching at a rapid speed from the left and you need to move over, or be aware that they are approaching.
Which brings us to the next point. Share the path. It's not a running path or a bike path, it is a multiuse path. If you are running, stay to the right part of the path to make it easier for bikes, faster runners and roller bladers to pass you.
Two at a time- Running Groups this means you! We are getting close to the Chicago Triathlon, the Chicago Marathon and several other events. The running groups are out, running in, you guessed it, a massive group. Mentor's, coaches, teams, it is great that you are helping these people to reach their goals, but having them run 4 wide and 10 deep is also teaching them bad, dangerous habits. Anything bigger that 2 wide is hogging the path and causing potential problems, which is unsafe.
Aid Stations- One of the best things about training on the lake is the Fleet Feet Sports aid stations, full of water and other good stuff to keep you going. These are always off the path and out of the way. However, when you are coming onto the path, make sure to look both
ways! I understand that you are amped up on endorphins, but be aware of your surroundings! I had a runner walk right in front of me this weekend, head phones in, looking the opposite direction, almost took me out.
Speaking of head phones- One ear in! That's it. I know the new Arcade Fire CD is off the hook, but if you really want to experience it for all it's worth, stay at home and listen to it on good speakers. This is a crowded path with lots of things that can hurt you, one ear in!! You need to be able to hear.
Bikers-
If you are all amped up to get in a hard ride and a killer time, then stay the heck away from the path after 6:00AM, because it isn't going to happen. No matter how hard you hammer, or how many times you yell at runners to get out of the way, this is not the place to pound.
Again- "On The Left," Learn this phrase, not "move jerk off," or "get
the *&^$ out of the way ass monkey!" Just On The Left.
Be patient- Not a trait common amongst roadies, but do your
best. I rode with a friend who shall remain nameless and
every time someone didn't move, he would slow down and yell at them,
"don't you know what on the left means!!! Move ass monkey!" I finally
had to point out to him, that there was a good chance most of the
people walking with their dogs and kids on the path, don't know what he
was talking about. Didn't stop him, but it made me feel better.
Be aware of the people in front of you- If things are slowing down in
front of you, that isn't an open invite to try and hammer through the
crowd, it probably means that things are congested and you should slow
down for a bit. I saw a group of bikes slowing down for a massive
group of runners, one of the back bikers, saw an opening gap in the
crowd and shot past everyone, directly into an oncoming bike. They
both ended up on the pavement in a bloody mess. If you want to ride
hard, go to St. Marys Road.
Music- I am 100% against riding with music. You can't hear the cars,
horns, people, it's unsafe. However, if you are going to ride, again,
make it with one ear in, and that ear should be the curb side ear, so
you can hear what's happening with the other people around you.
You are now the vehicle- I have been "that guy" getting so close to a
runner or slow walker that you can smell their breath. Remember, at
that moment you are doing the same thing that cars do to you, and it's
not cool. We are all crammed in there and getting close is a part of
the deal, but try and avoid the "fly byes."
If you have other tips, feel free to leave them below. Have fun, train hard, be safe.
Filed under: Cycling, biking, News, Races, Reviews, Running, Tips
Tags: Chicago Marathon, Chicago Triathlon, david wallach, Etiquette, Fleet Feet, Lake Shore Drive rules, Rules of Riding, rules of Running
Make sure you give enough lead time for the "On your left" warning. Doesn't do any good when you hear it as someone is right on top of you.
How about those stupid wide rental bikes that take up the whole path? Can we just ban those altogether?
Amen to that. Don't even get me started with recumbent bikes and jugglers.
I think that if you're biking alongside someone who is running or jogging, you need to take up about the same amount of space as a second runner would. I know most people don't bike 6 miles an hour, but that doesn't mean you should be snaking along half the path to slow down for the person who's running- it's frustrating and dangerous for the runner trying to pass you.
I also think people should be aware of their dogs at all times on the path. I don't care if it's 6 a.m. and there's only two other people in sight, I want to KNOW that you have control of your dog, either by leash or by it being within arms reach of you, both for its safety and mine.
Dogs. Great one. Yes. dogs on the path suck.
As a runner training for a marathon and a roadie cyclist I have a perspective of both activities out there.
Runners do tend to be the more dangerous of the two simply because of erratic behavior. A bike in most cases isn't going to suddenly stop, change direction or dart across out of nowhere. When you see a bike coming it is pretty predictable what it is going to do. I erratic behavior with runners all the time - stopping without looking if anyone is right behind them, abruptly making U Turns without looking and drifting from side to side. I find that it is best not to run on the main path but to enjoy the wide array of auxiliary paths all over the lakefront. There are lots of options to log the miles off the main drag from North Ave Beach all the way to Hollywood. No one else around, nice limestone and better views not to mention safer.
As a cyclist, the large running groups do hog the path and they should exercise better consideration of other users. Fortunately, they tend to only be out on Saturday mornings from 6-10 am and between Montrose and North Ave. Plan accordingly and avoid them. As a cyclist, I always assume the person ahead of me is going to do something erratic that will cause an accident - flailing arms around, U turns, stopping, etc. Always exercise caution. If you really want to open it up know the places to do it - generally south of Solider Field. Weekday evenings and early mornings are also best for cycling. Just avoid it altogether on weekend days. Too many people and in most cases they are not regular users of the path and oblivious to their poor etiquette. I enjoy doing longer trips up Elston to the North Branch trail and back for a quick 50 miles instead of the Lake Path on weekend mornings.
In all cases, just taking a quick look around you from time to time ensures you are constantly aware of your surroundings. Simply doing just this would go a long way towards making it safer for all.
Great Stuff, thank you Matt. Is there such thing as a "quick" 50 miles:)
David,
Great letter! I wrote something on Yelp a couple years ago and agree we have to all do better. The Active Transport Alliance says that the lakefront path is the deadliest road in Chicago with most fatalities coming from people on bikes without helmets.
We all need to have our head on a swivel and practice patience and observe the slow zones. Cyclist, it is ok to hammer south of McCormick and in other spots, but if you are looking to open it up, take it off the path. Sheridan is a great place to do that. I would be happy to show you the way.
The 4 wheel bikes have got to go. Not only are they too big for the path, but tourists are the only ones on them so it make it doubly bad. Rollerbladers have to watch how much space they take up to and be able to stop and slow down.
Walkers, unless it is a spot where you are walking to the beach, there are a thousand other places where you can walk along the lakefront. In fact in most places there are areas where you can walk closer to the water.
Most people get the on your left thing and are getting much better at it, but if I feel like I can safely move around without saying it, I do. I had one rollerblader come straight in to me after i said on your left and he said "I don't give a f**k what you said." Nice buddy, next time I will just lower my shoulder.
I love the lakefront path. The scenery is great, but you have to take your time, be civil and keep your head up. Oh also, no headphones for cyclists. Maybe not even for runners unless you look before you go.
The sad thing about all this is that the guilty people won't be the ones reading any of these great suggestions. These rules/letters should be published in major local newspapers and maybe runners/bikers magazines?
I agree with everything that's been said. I will admit I used to be a "two-ear in" music guy on the bike. I quickly learned that it is way to dangerous, especially on the bike path. It doesn't do much good calling out "on the left" when the riders in the 4-wheeled carriage in front of you are rocking out to the latest Lady Gaga hit.
I would also say to all the parents out there, keep an eye on your kids! Especially by the beaches. Even after slowing down to a reasonable pace through the North Ave. area, I've still almost run right over little kids who think it's fine to dart across the bike path. Little kids don't know better, but parents do. Also, don't stand in the middle of the path waiting to cross. You wouldn't teach your kids to stand in the middle of a busy street waiting for traffic to clear up enough for you to cross right?
I went to a Fleet Feet seminar on triathlons back in the spring and one of the speakers they had said he feels safer on streets than on the bike path because at least on the streets people have to have a drivers license and know the rules of the road, whereas on the lake path you don't need a license, so it's just heaps of people trying to do their own thing with little to no respect for the "rules of the path."
Best advice, slow down and stay safe out there!
David - I'm just reading this now so I'm a little late - but THANK YOU for writing it! I posted a link on my facebook page to it because I think anyone who runs or cycles along the lakefront should read it. A friend responded, suggesting a great idea - what if everyone had a to read this and then take a test before they were allowed on the path? (Personally, I think you'd have to make it so people had to re-take the test every year! :)) I know, no way to ever enforce it, but a great idea nonetheless right?
That would be funny. Maybe have a license to get onto the path with a bike.
Thank you for your comments and for sharing.
David
Two thmbs up..Thanks for writing this letter David. You are right on. I posted the link on my Facebook page; I want every one to read it
David - Loved your post... as an avid cyclist, I actually don't feel safe on the Lakefront path during peak hours... even at a slow, predictable pace, calling out when passing -- there are just too many "x" factors for me to relax. I mean, I'd rather take my chances on Elston or Clark - at least it's just vehicles there, and I have a much better shot at getting some good velocity built up in between lights.