What's wrong with Bike/Ped trails?

What's wrong with Bike/Pedestrian trails?

Bikes belong on roads, not on sidewalks with pedestrians. Roads have clear rules of movement and right-of-way which apply to all vehicles. Pedestrians have few rules and conventions on the sidewalk. When two pedestrians conflict, someone gets bumped, someone says "Excuse me" and everyone goes on their way. Cyclists cannot abruptly change their direction and speed in response to the reasonable likelihood that a pedestrian will abruptly change direction or speed. The result is a collision of greater consequences.

Many recreational trails that were originally designated as bike/ped have become restricted pedestrian trails after their popularity resulted in an increased frequency of bike/ped collisions. There is no history, precedent, convention or tradition for pedestrians to exercise caution about changing speed or direction on a sidewalk or trail.

In addition to creating hazards for pedestrian use, many bike/ped trails do not meet the needs of cyclists. Urban trails may be broken up by frequent intersections with roadways. Barricades to prevent motor vehicle (especially "dirt bike") access to the trail will interrupt the cyclist's ride. The intersection with road traffic will interrupt the cyclist's ride.

Transportation cyclists may find a shortcut on a bike/ped trail but more often will find a detour, more frequent stops, barricades, unpredictable walkers, debris, and maintenance problems. There may also be difficult transitions between trail and roadway traffic flow on either end of the trip.