Everyone to the right to keep peace

From The Cape Cod Times, November 13, 2007

"The question of pedestrian direction (on the bikeways)
has been well-studied, particularly in Australia, California,
Seattle and Tacoma (Washington), Madison (Wisconsin)
and Denver, among others, and all have reached the
conclusion: that cyclists and pedestrians should travel
in the same direction.

Both these kinds of users and the others -- skaters,
runners, wagon pullers -- should be instructed by
simple and conspicuous signs that they should keep
right, slow to pass, signal audibly to those they are
passing, and be courteous and generous."

Edward S. Gross is vice- president of the Cape
and Islands Chapter of MassBike.

Where to walk on the rail trail

A good deal of ink has been spilled on the subject of which
side of the rail trail pedestrians should walk. MassBike and
some others say that pedestrians should walk on the left,
the same as for auto roads. A hair raising premise. Here is
my take on the controversy, in an email to a MassBike
representative.

"Consider the geometry and uses of the rail trails. The trails
are shared by walkers, bicyclists, roller bladers, but not
persons on motorized vehicles. The trails are not usually
wide enough for bicyclists to pass walkers without swerving
into the oncoming lane. Hence the time-honored protocol,
"passing on your left." Walkers and bicyclists share the right
side of a paved trail.

It is the bicyclist's responsibility to look ahead and make a
mental calculation as to whether or not it is safe to pass
walkers, who are usually two abreast. If not, he/she must
slow down, or even stop, until the way is clear. Walkers are
not obliged to step off the trail to let bicycles pass. They do
not see the bicyclist as they walk ahead. The verbal warning
is usually sufficient to keep them on a straight course.
This protocol has worked admirably, thus far.

Now you, and Mr. Trump, say that we should throw this out
and replace it with the protocol for two lane auto roads. On
these, autos own the road, and it is the pedestrian's
responsibility to stay clear, on a sidewalk, or grass, or
shoulder. You can only do this safely by walking on the left
side of the road facing traffic, and stepping out of the way,
if necessary. It is an entirely different situation. The
pedestrian makes the mental calculation to assure his own
safety. The professor who was killed on Old County Road in
West Dennis last summer was walking very early in the
morning with the traffic.

If you, and Mass Bike, attempt to replace the rail trail
protocol with that for auto roads, chaos will occur. First,
you will have to post signs up and down the trail warning
that walkers must stay to the left. The passing calculation
of the bicyclist is now immeasurably more difficult. Walkers
are now coming towards him/her in his lane. They have no
motivation to get out of the way; they own the trail, too.
Besides, they can't see traffic behind them, so they are not
aware of congestion which could cause problems. Facing
jam-up, the bicyclist will have to get off and move his bike
off the trail to the right, and let the oncoming walkers, and
bicyclist by, then mount up again. Not a likely scenario.
And through bikers would simply weave their way around
everyone at high speed."

Old Colony Rail Trail

The bicycle trail that runs through Harwich and Chatham
has been officially named "Old Colony Rail Trail." It runs
from the rotary intersection with "Cape Cod Rail Trail"
in Harwich to Crowell Road in Chatham. In Chatham you
may follow the bike route signs on local roads to scenic
spots.

Island Pond and Thompson's Field

The short walk entitled "Harwich Rail Trail" has been replaced by
"Island Pond" and "Thompson's Field" in "Harwich Short Walks."
Both may be combined in a single long walk, and are linked in
the listing of Long Walks on the home page.

Brewster Punkhorn Parklands

Revision of this long walk is complete, with the
addition of a topographical map for Seymour Pond.
The long walk is now composed of the original
three routes laid out for the Town of Brewster.

They are Eagle Point, Seymour Pond, and Calf
Field Pond. Each is separately described in
"Short Walks on Cape Cod," under "Brewster --
Punkhorn Parklands." The first two are linked
by a connecting route described and mapped in
the long walk, "Punkhorn Parklands."

The Seymour Pond walk may be continued
directly into the Calf Field Pond area of Punkhorn
Parklands. Download all the guides and maps, as
Punkhorn is a tricky area to navigate. There is
a loop in the center, beginning and ending on
Westgate Road, which is not included.

Pochet Island

The long walk for Nauset Beach and Pochet Island
has been rewritten as a combination of two short
walks. A topographical map of Pochet Island was
added, showing details of the route around the
island. Scouting by Don Heyer, leader of the
Eastham Hiking Club.

Scorton Creek

A new short walk has been added to the Sandwich
page at www.cctrails.org/sandwich.html. About
3 to 4 miles of trails may be traversed in an area
bounded by the marsh, railroad tracks, and Hoxie
Pond.

Paradise Hollow and Ryder Beach

The Paradise Hollow guide has been revised to
include a short walk, and a leg to the lookout
in the middle of Bound Brook Island. The
reference to the road signs at Ryder Beach has
been corrected.

And the northbound leg to Ryder Beach has
been moved to the beach, as the inland path is
prone to flooding.

A new short circular walk from Ryder Beach
parking lot is included in Truro Short Walks,
together with a Topo Map. It is referenced
in the Griffin and Bound Brook Islands guide.

Great Island

The Long Walk for Great Island has been revised, and may
be found at "www.cctrails.org/greatisl.htm". A shorter
version is at the end of the short walks in "www.cctrails.org/
wellfleet.htm". Links to a sketch map and topo map are in
both locations.

Wellfleet Ponds

The Long Walk, "Wellfleet Ponds," has been rewritten
as a combination of two short walks, "Long Pond" and
"Duck Pond. " Topo maps with waypoints are provided
for each. Go to "www.cctrails.org/wellpond.htm" or
"www.cctrails.org/wellfleet.htm".

Little Creek

Look for the new short walk at the bottom of
"www.cctrails.org/eastham.htm". It is the
reverse of the Nauset Light Beach walk.

Gull Pond

A new short walk was added to "www.cctrails.org/truro.htm"
beginning at Gull Pond in Wellfleet.

Griffin and Bound Brook Islands

The long walk for Griffin and Bound Brook Islands has been
rewritten as a composite of two short walks. The sketch map
for same has been replaced by two topographical maps with
waypoints.

Nauset Marsh

You will find this walk at "www.cctrails.org/eastham.htm".
It is a trail from the Salt Pond Visitor Center to the Coast
Guard Beach parking area. Round trip is 4.24 miles. The
picture is of Nauset Light before the relocation inland.

C.C.Trails

Bound Brook Island

Under "Short Walks on Cape Cod" we have posted
a new walk under "Wellfleet." It is a 4.6 mile trek
around Bound Brook Island, starting from the
Duck Harbor parking lot. Drive to the end of
Chequesset Neck Road, turn right at the rotary,
and follow to the parking area near the bay.
Requires a town sticker in the summer.

Cape Cod Trails Conference

This blog will be devoted entirely to news and commentary
about walking, hiking, bicycling, and trail maintenance on
Cape Cod.

C.C.Trails

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