Has anybody seen these stupid signs around Keystone Metals? They've been put up within the last week I believe.
I'm not exactly sure what I am supposed to be taking cautioning about. Like, does this mean I don't bring my fish and squirrels for a walk around there or what?
I'm guessing this sign is meant for cyclists to watch out for bumbling pedestrians blocking the whole fucking trail to look at birds, while not giving a shit about the dozens they kill every year between eating and climate change, but why not actually put that in the sign (the watch for pedestrians bit, not the moral inconsistency about treating similar beings entirely different based on arbitrary characteristics)
I hate stupid vague signs and bumbling pedestrians
sgtjonson
2014-04-24 15:35:20
Chill out dude. This isn't just a bike trail, it's a multi-use trail. People use it to get to a good spot to watch the eagles. Some folks might not know to expect the bird watchers and the people who maintain the trail don't want people getting hurt.
Since this is a major bike touring route, there may be folks with heavily loaded bikes that might not stop quickly, so the advanced warning could be very helpful for them to avoid a collision with one of the bird watchers, who may be a bit more involved in the birds than what is happening on the trail.
benzo
2014-04-24 15:56:00
The more people who are happy using the trail, whether it be for bird watching or for biking, means more support for trails like this.
Having this attraction here, could lead to demands for more trails, more members of trail organizations, and other stuff like that. So try not to poo-poo all over the pedestrians. They could be driving the demand to build more trails that we have the privilege to enjoy.
Hell, some of those bird watchers may be vegans, conservationists, or bike-ped advocates. They could be allies, not enemies. They are just not bumbling caricatures, they are people. Humanize them just like the bike-pgh campaign is attempting to humanize cyclists.
benzo
2014-04-24 16:01:53
Where's the proportionality that recognizes that it's *also* essentially a bicycle thoroughfare?
It's not designed for people to bottleneck up around at the top of the wall. On Saturdays it's like trying to ride through the North Shore by the steps fountain, except the sidewalk is a lot thinner and the people aren't moving
If the concern is pedestrians, why not say "Caution, Heavy Pedestrian Traffic Ahead"
sgtjonson
2014-04-24 16:10:50
Perhaps I have an unreasonable need for speed. I can't go fast in the winter because the trail is entirely covered in ice and snow. Now in the spring I have to deal with rabbits and pedestrians looking at these Eagles. Excuse my Andy Rooney-ing of other trail users
sgtjonson
2014-04-24 16:29:48
Yeah, that's definitely not a place to go fast. Which is what that sign is trying to tell you. Let folks look at the eagles.
jonawebb
2014-04-24 18:49:26
Not to be trying to make a point, but maybe the eagle-people are to bikers seem like maybe bikers are to drivers. Or vice-versa.
Meaning, in the words of Rodney King: "Can't we all just get along?"
That being said, I do remember happening by there before I knew about the eagle-nest thing and seeing a couple dozen people all standing still, staring off into some point up on the hill. Creepy, in that zombie invasion kind of way.
ahlir
2014-04-24 19:51:17
The last time I was through there during prime Eagle watching time (midday Saturday) I had to yield to a dog and the guy walking the dog going the opposite direction I was. That's how little space there was to get through. Gah
sgtjonson
2014-04-24 23:44:13
Maybe they put the signs up so that the eagles don't crap on unsuspecting cyclists.
ericf
2014-04-25 04:45:45
Bumbling Cyclist LOL
Slow down Ya bike too fast
You gotta let your commute Last
cowchip
2014-04-25 05:10:22
Easiest thing to do is to become one of them for a half a minute, stop and talk to them, and try to learn something.
As for trying to make time, maybe the thing to do is to take effing 837.
stuinmccandless
2014-04-25 07:25:54
I see an easy solution here: talk to whomever manages the trail about marking off an area OFF THE TRAIL where people can mill about and birdwatch. That may involve clearing some brush and other foliage, but the end result would be a better situation for everyone: birdwatchers get a place to stare at the sun, everyone else gets an open trail to enjoy. It's not fair to other trail users--regardless of whether they're on foot, bike, or fruitboots-- to simply stand about and block the path. Who do we need to call to make this happen?
jaysherman5000
2014-04-25 07:46:57
^nonsense. Just slow down and be patient when the trail is crowded - for whatever reason.
We scream and bitch at motorists all the time because they are in such a hurry that they put other road users in jeopardy. Practice what you preach!
marko82
2014-04-25 07:52:52
I do slow down on the trail, Marko. That trail also happens to be part of a thoroughfare--that's actually the main reason it was created, to move people from Homestead to the South Side without involving cars. When people stop on the trail and don't move aside, they are being selfish and inconsiderate of other people that are trying to use it for it's intended purpose.
It's actually a simple, common courtesy when traveling along any path: if you need to stop, move aside so others can pass. Blocking the trail to the point that traffic from either direction has to take turns going single-file through a crowd is unacceptable. I already ride slowly, now the avian fetishists need to stop blocking traffic.
jaysherman5000
2014-04-25 08:03:43
Just for the record, while complaining, I did do a kind of scootery thing through the area. I didn't take the typical motorist tack of complaining and endangering.
@Jay The problem is that the best area for viewing is from the elevated portion by the tracks/Keystone metals. Lower down where they could do that, there's trees that kind of block the nest I think.
@Stu You know, I took 837 for several years through Homestead into Greenfield, but started taking the trail after somebody left hooked me, destroyed my frame, and sped off
sgtjonson
2014-04-25 08:04:47
