Observations and Recommendations for Improving the Cycling Experience
on Florida's East Coast Greenway
Based upon my recent experience of cycling 1160 miles roundtrip on Florida's Greenway trail system, I offer the following observations and recommendations to be considered in developing, improving and maintaining our cycling trail systems.
1. A volunteer from each county or community served by the Greenway should be sought to at least monthly inspect and report upon the condition of the bike trail in that community. Perhaps Florida's Greenways and Trails office from the DEP could maintain a data base of trail condition reports on its website. Cyclists could be encouraged to report all problems encountered on the trail to Greenways and Trails, or the East Coast Greenway Alliance for internet publication.
2. In areas where the Greenway bike trail is separate from motor vehicle traffic, the trail should be marked with mile markers, like those used on US 1 to help cyclists accurately determine and report their location on the trail in the event of an emergency, or to help locate and access nearby community amenities.
3. All trail markers and signs should be mounted no higher than 6' above ground level, or, within the peripheral vision range of the typical cyclist. Cyclists wearing a helmet with visor, as all should be, will probably not be able to see signs mounted higher above the ground, especially if they are focusing their attention on trail surface conditions ahead of them. I had to remove the visor from my helmet in order to be able to see trail signage.
4. The Greenway often terminates abruptly in areas of construction or in areas where it is not fully developed without warning, and with no hint as to how the cyclist can safely transition back to pavement. I was pulling a 100 lb. trailer on my journey; and it was very difficult to drag my equipment through debris-filled ditches and construction areas trying to get back to a paved surface. Had I not been using puncture-resistant tires, my bike would have probably been damaged many times in these areas. Appropriate signage could help solve this problem. Regular inspections of the trail route could identify problem areas in a timely manner and allow reports of trail conditions to be posted on the internet. Cyclists could be encouraged to always access such reports in planning their cross-country trips. Blogs about cycling conditions should be encouraged; but concise, reliable information about trails should be compiled, centralized, regularly edited and updated by someone assigned that responsibility.
5. Members of Greenway-related organizations should coordinate their efforts to establish a cyclist hosting service for Greenway member cyclists that could operate like Warmshowers.org, or Couchsurfing.com. I traveled through many areas where accommodations were either scarce or unreasonably exorbitantly priced. Through better education of sponsoring communities and businesses about the commercial and health benefits of cycling activities, cyclists would bring substantial additional revenue to businesses bordering cycling routes. Many European communities have mastered the art of encouraging cycling and camping. Why can't we look at what they're doing and move toward adopting their best practices now?
6. Greenway organizations should unite to encourage local and state governments to promote "green activities" like cycling by offering reasonable affordable tent camping rates to cross-country cyclists. Many state and federal parks in Florida currently charge the same fee for tent camping as they do for RV camping. RV campers hook up to sewage, water and electric services that consume significant amounts of energy that are not consumed by tent campers. State parks in particular are guilty of gouging travelers as much as some flea-bag motels do. That turns away many first-time visitors and certainly discourages repeat visits. Where is the gain in that? The city-owned and operated Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park in Jacksonville, Fl is an example of a well-run excellent tent and RV camping facility that is reasonably priced and offers all of the amenities necessary to attract cyclists and tent campers. Similarly, the Everglades Hostel in Florida City offers excellent accommodations and amenities to cyclists. State and local governments should understand that cycling organization members would be strong proponents of green activities and the governments' best proactive conservators of cycling trails and facilities.
7. In concert with government agencies, cycling organizations should require cycling safety certification, and perhaps licensing as a condition of membership. This would be a win-win proposition for everyone interested in cycling safety - cyclists, motorists, and government.
8. In the Florida Keys especially, Greenways and Trails has done an exceptional job of marking routes and equipping the Greenway bike trail with rest sites, benches, and garbage cans. Even at that, there is room for much improvement. More benches and trash cans would greatly enhance the cycling experience and help keep the trail system clean and attractive. The addition of properly secured and maintained "porta-potty"-type toilets every 10 - 20 miles or so would be an awesome amenity. I would gladly pay an additional annual membership fee that would be used to maintain such amenities; and the more member cyclists that could be encouraged to regularly use those amenities, the easier it would be mitigate or prevent vandalism of trail amenities. With a little more concerted effort, thought, and planning, Florida's cycling trails and amenities could become a crowning jewel promoted among its outdoor activities. Rather than being something that vacationers "also do" when they come to Florida, cycling could become the primary reason many visitors come to Florida, especially during the cooler months.
9. Businesses bordering Cycling trails should be encouraged to offer special rates to cycling organization member/users that would help increase cycling activities within their communities. At any given time, a cyclist will spend substantially more time in a given community than a motorist will. Through proper advertising and promotion, that fact could translate into more revenue for cycle-friendly communities. On Amelia Island for example, Carmen Martinez, owner of Amelia Oceanfront B&B offers substantial discounts to cyclists. Greenway interests should encourage other businesses to do the same.
10. The DOT should be requested to not use raised lettering, lines, and reflective markers on paved shoulders and bike lanes, as these make riding more uncomfortable and dangerous depending on the type of cycle tires and tire pressures used. It is especially dangerous and fatiguing to be busied and distracted by dodging raised reflectors in areas of high motor vehicle traffic.
11. Cycling clubs should be encouraged to regularly instruct members on safe cycling practices, especially with regard to etiquette. Faster cyclists should never pass slower cycles without first giving an audible warning and adequate clearance between cycles. Over the course of 1160 miles and being passed by dozens upon dozens of other cyclists, I was warned only three times of their intention to pass. Motorists were generally considerably more courteous than other cyclists. On several occasions, I observed other cyclists riding shoulder to shoulder, oblivious to traffic slowing and building up behind them, when a simple fall-behind maneuver would have enhanced their safety and allowed motorists to pass more quickly and safely. It seems that motorists are generally more knowledgeable of, and concerned about cycling safety than most cyclists are. What an inexcusable paradox! We are our own worst enemy; and it's no mystery why many communities are not interested in promoting cycling.
12. State vehicle traffic laws require cycles to be operated by the same rules governing motor vehicles. It's a no-brainer that proper lighting is required to operate a cycle between the hours of dusk and dawn. State laws should also require some kind of signaling device, like a bell be installed and used on every bicycle ridden in the state. Passing another cyclist or pedestrian without proper warning and adequate spacing should dealt with in the same manner as would illegal passing in a automobile.
Al Melvin
6053 Arnies Way
Milton, Fl 32570
arotorhead@earthlink.net
www.greenriding.blogspot.com
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