I will take this opportunity to once again agree on the stupidity of the Michigan Ave bike lane situation. If just inconvenient and pointless that'd be annoying, but this set-up is truly dangerous and sets the stage for bad bike-car interactions at street crossings. As a frequent bike rider I'd have rather they just omitted the bike lane than this attempt at saving face. Overall, I'm just happy the street is repaved, even if it is many years too late and somewhat lackluster in form. The healing of Michigan Ave can now begin in earnest.
My opinion on MSU students and trail etiquette: I'm all for trail etiquette being a part of orientation but students don't seem to be the biggest issue when I'm on the trail, them walking on the dedicated bike path through campus and them making up some percentage of the irresponsible scooter drivers seems to be as bad as it gets. But for the population at-large... The occasional mini motorcycle or moped on the trail are the most egregious offenses imo, some of the non-pedal assist e-bikes do get close though. The hoverboards and one-wheels seem to be the most fast and aggressive but seem generally skilled, still a problem though. The scooter riders do suck, those might be better banned or geofenced (speed limited??) from the trails. Groups of people walking while blocking both sides of the trail is deeply annoying to me personally... Point being, etiquette is an issue everywhere with everyone, and with everyone having different opinions. I see no good answers coming from authorities and there's no resources to police these issues on the trails. We just need the community to step up and hold each other accountable.
The lack of trail etiquette is part of why I haven't been biking nearly as much as I used to. The transition to all these battery powered (and snall motor) options has made them miserable (for me). I couldn't agree more with your comments and ideas.
Comments
My opinion on MSU students and trail etiquette: I'm all for trail etiquette being a part of orientation but students don't seem to be the biggest issue when I'm on the trail, them walking on the dedicated bike path through campus and them making up some percentage of the irresponsible scooter drivers seems to be as bad as it gets. But for the population at-large... The occasional mini motorcycle or moped on the trail are the most egregious offenses imo, some of the non-pedal assist e-bikes do get close though. The hoverboards and one-wheels seem to be the most fast and aggressive but seem generally skilled, still a problem though. The scooter riders do suck, those might be better banned or geofenced (speed limited??) from the trails. Groups of people walking while blocking both sides of the trail is deeply annoying to me personally... Point being, etiquette is an issue everywhere with everyone, and with everyone having different opinions. I see no good answers coming from authorities and there's no resources to police these issues on the trails. We just need the community to step up and hold each other accountable.