Some things never change.
The Gazette reports at Planning Board unanimously approves Lake Frank trail that local residents argued passionately against building a paved trail adjacent to their neighborhood. From the article:
At the Planning Board meeting, 29 residents addressed the issue.Those who were opposed to having the trail cited concerns and issues such as pedestrian safety on a bike trail, the detrimental effects of asphalt on the area, fears of increased crime and affecting the natural livelihood of the lake.
“From my understanding, Lake Frank has always been the undisturbed, natural lake and Lake Needwood was the commercial lake where you have the golf course nearby with families having picnics and people fishing and boating,” said Stanley Lorek of Lake Terrace Avenue.
On the other side, supporters of the connector trail said other communities besides the Manor Lake Civic Association should be entitled to enjoy and have equal access to the lake.
“Just because they live closer to the lake does not give them the right to dictate what goes onto park property,” said Janet Buyer of Sunflower Court in the Flower Valley community.
Concerns for pedestrian safety, opposition to asphalt, fears of increased crime, concerns about losing the “natural” setting – we’ve heard this all before from residents opposed to proposed trails adjacent to other neighborhoods, including the Capital Crescent Trail. The pedestrian safety issue was recently raised by Meir Wolf of the Town of Chevy Chase at another Planning Board Hearing, see A bicycling Raceway?.
The Planning Board didn’t fall for these NIMBY arguments against the Lake Frank Trail. Again from the Gazette article:
In his last appearance as Planning Board chairman, Royce Hanson said he acknowledged the neighbors’ concerns in preserving the nature and character of the lake, but that ultimately, the need to expand and build a countywide trail system would provide benefits for a larger representation of people.“We have a responsibility to be sensitive to the concerns of the community,” Hanson said, “but we also have a responsibility to make it feasible for the public to have access and traverse the area, and allow everyone to enjoy Lake Frank and have different kinds of experiences.”
Hanson also pointed out there had been public objections made to past trail projects such as the Matthew Henson Trail and Capital Crescent Trail, but those trails now have the support of the surrounding communities.
The issue of completing the Capital Crescent Trail into Silver Spring with the Purple Line is different from the decisions to build the Matthew Henson Trail and the Lake Frank Trail connector because completing the Capital Crescent Trail is intertwined with the Purple Line transit. But nonetheless one part remains the same – the way the local neighborhoods tend to act as though the Interim Trail belongs to them, and their opposition to any change in the trail that will open it up to use by other neighborhoods and other user groups.
We are still waiting for the Capital Crescent Trail in Silver Spring.
First off, I am glad they are going to do this trail project. As you point out, opposition to trails does tend to depend strongly on NIMBYism. But, that said, I must also point out that there are a lot of bicyclists out there whose trail etiquette is completely unacceptable. And I should know, because I have been a bicycle commuter on and off regional trails four years here in DC and for six years prior to that in a smaller Midwestern metro. During that time, I have logged thousands of miles on various roads and trails in the area (I have moved twice in that time, and so has my worksite), and all I can say is that there are DC area bicyclists who just flat out make me feel ashamed. So I know it will do no good, but here are a few pointers for the Lance Armstrong wannabes.
1) The pedestrians have the right of way. Always. Yes, even if they are all over the path, or have stopped to chat with their friends going in the opposite direction. Sure, it’s a bit annoying, but the response you get to slowing down to a reasonable speed, and saying “Hi, I would like to pass on the left here” is really worth it. Basically, almost everybody is happy to oblige, and nobody ends up very much worse off. Contrast this with the usual behavior of wordlessly whipping by at 20 mph. Yes, that will earn you strong support in the next hearing to make trail improvements in the area, for sure.
2) When you pass another bicyclist, and if you are wrapped up in $3000 worth of gear you know you will want to do this, the correct plan is either to ring your bell or else say something synonymous with “on your left”. And for Pete’s sake, don’t just whip by because I have slowed down to yield the right of way to the peds 20 yards in front of us. That just labels you as a jerk.
3) Where the trail crosses a road, follow the traffic signals and/or yield the right of way when appropriate. If I see one more idiot testing his life insurance by trying to cross Connecticut Avenue against the light I may really lose my composure.
4) If I end up passing you on the Georgetown Branch trail despite the fact that your carbon frame bike costs ten times what my bike does, please note that it is just because I am likely running late for dinner and not because I am testing your manhood. Really, it’s not a big deal either way, and I really don’t care if you pass me back again a bit down the road, as long as you aren’t trying to run down pedestrians at the same time.
5) When you get to the city streets, obey all traffic rules and signals as if you were a car. Don’t blow off stop signs, run red lights, or engage in unpredictable weirdness. In particular, note that pedestrians still have the right of way.
Overall, please just follow the golden rule, and everything will be fine.