this post was submitted on 10 Nov 2024
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Desire Paths

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Desire paths Desire paths can be paths created as a consequence of erosion caused by human or animal foot-fall or traffic. The paths usually represent the shortest or most easily navigated routes between origins and destinations. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desire_path

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[–] [email protected] 34 points 1 week ago (2 children)

With the rise of cargo bikes these speed breaks are not usable anymore. They are often too tight for cargo bikes, and the ones that aren't dont reduce the speed of normal bikes, which are still 80%+ of the bikes.

[–] [email protected] 21 points 1 week ago

they weren't even remotely acceptable in the first place, they're basically just a big sign telling people with mobility aids that they don't deserve to go places.

it's a blitheringly stupid way to slow people down, worse even than how stop signs are used like magical wards to make roads "safe"

[–] [email protected] 17 points 1 week ago

There's a couple of these on a trail near me, and although the bollards can just be pulled out of the ground, they used to be padlocked.

Some people who use cargo bikes to shop couldn't get through, so the city removed the locks.

The bollards are still there, but if you need to get through you can just lift it out, mosey on by, and then replace it. The middle one is made out of hollow aluminum I think, so it's a lot lighter than the other solid steel ones. You can still lift those out, just not one handed.

Up until then, the cargo bikes were just hopping off the trail and cycling along next to the trail on the other side of the fence, which was only about 200-300ft long on either side of the bollards.

[–] [email protected] 25 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (2 children)

I know this one! (52.4962055, 13.4652582)

It’s on a slope leading towards a bridge for pedestrians and cyclists. It serves to slow down cyclists coming downhill from the bridge.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 week ago

Well, that makes a bit more sense, but they should really just turn this whole thing into a proper kink instead of having two separate paths through the barriers.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 week ago (2 children)

So basically it makes cycling energy management less efficient? Is there a point to that?

[–] [email protected] 8 points 6 days ago

Yes, so that they don’t run into the pedestrians and traffic on the next street with high speed.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Well, you know how cyclists complain about cars blocking or speeding on their parts of the street? Same goes for pedestrians and cyclists because people being assholes isn't dependent on their type of vehicle. That's why you have to slow down even bikes sometimes.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 6 days ago (1 children)

Or, just a thought, on a path that wide you could designate one half for cyclists and one half for pedestrians and everyone could drive at their preferred speed.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 6 days ago (1 children)

We have these where I live and pedestrians 100% ignore it. Cyclists do pretty often too.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 6 days ago

Then it's probably made wrong. A line and some markings isn't enough.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 week ago

Kinda looks like the curb is part of the path originally but is mostly overgrown except for this bit because of the foot/cycle traffic.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 week ago

lol that is awesome. Are you sure it's from the municipality and not some diy job?