An Open Letter To Other Users of The Multi-Use Path

By BRYAN J. BALL
Managing Editor of Bentrider Online

I’ll start this with an apology… This may wind up sounding very much like the ridiculous letters to the editor about cyclists keeping off the road but bear with me. Now that I live in a larger city, I’ve been out enjoying the local bike paths much more than I ever have before. They’re great. I am very fortunate to have the Genesee Riverway and the Erie Canalway so close to my front my door. But unfortunately, they are not perfect. They are multi-use paths which means that I encounter joggers, rollerbladers, dog walkers and all sorts of pedestrians on each and every ride. Most are fine. Some make my blood boil. There are even some fellow cyclists that cause problems on these tiny little human powered freeways. This is an open letter to some of them.

Dear Joggers with iPods... TAKE OUT THE DAMN EARBUDS!!! Or at least turn down the Arcade Fire album low enough so that you can hear me yelling, shouting and ringing my bell. And really… The WHOLE trail? Just to jog? It’s like eight feet wide! There should be plenty of room for both of us in one lane. Get yer crap together!

Dear Rollerbladers… Really? …http://www.bentrideronline.com/?p=4132

The Long Street Tour’s “Bike the C-Bus” is a fun way to get fit and check out a few of the neighborhoods in and around Columbus. Experience segments of the King Lincoln District, Woodland Park, Olde Town East, Downtown, Short North Arts District, Italian Village, Harrison West, Victorian Village, Arena District, Franklinton, Brewery District and German Village.

Register on the Bike the Cbus website.

Bad driver 1

The name of the new group  I started is C-Bus Worst drivers. I have had plenty of opportunities to include drivers all over the county who have no idea what they’re doing.  Unfortunately, this is the first of many installments to come. (link to worst driver forum)

The young woman driving this vehicle nearly killed me while she was talking to her friend and passing me to turn right in front of me to get to her tanning session at Dolphin Beach Tanning, 2394 N. High.  I followed her in and took the photo below.  Her license is Ohio Plate EYL9598.  I told her why I was taking a photo to warn others who might be driving near her. She decided she didn’t want to be included in the photo.  When I asked why she nearly killed me, she said she was just trying to get around me.

Ok then, have a great tan.  STAY AWAY FROM THIS DRIVER.