Posted by: samroberts
Posted by: syncro
It’s like a 10 minute pedal on flat ground to convenient places to park. If that’s a big concern it might be time to take up something less strenuous like knitting.
The local residents don't want anyone _riding or walking_ on Indian River Drive, either, its not just about cars. There are some rock climbing areas that got developed down there, and lots of stories of climbers getting hassled as they walk into or out from the crags.
Its difficult to understand how we got here. On the one hand, its a private road on public land, that seems wrong. On the other, I've heard claims that there have been accidents, and the local residents have had to pay legal costs, and were not happy. The road owners legally have the right to kick people off their road, and there is no benefit to them to allowing access, so they do kick people off (or at least some do, others might not care and drive quietly by). This is probably made worse by lawyers and insurance corps, which see zero benefit in trying to accomodate other uses, and of course, whatever level of government which was so short-sighted as to allow private roads to be built on public land without an understanding that the public could at least benefit from the use of the road!
Private residents do not have the legal right to kick people off of a public road. I have no idea where you got that from or how you came to that conclusion. If people are crossing private property, well that's trespassing and an entirely different matter. As to residents having to pay legal costs for accidents - without knowing the details commenting one way or the other is purely speculation.
Re legitimate complaints about road use in one's neighbourhood, I am all for supporting residents in measures to make their neighbourhood safer or enjoyable in a manner that fits within established norms and municipal bylaws. This could include lower signed speeds or speed control decvices such as speed bumps (which have negative consequences as well) and parking restrictions. People that think a public road that provides access to their home is for their exclusive use can get stuffed as that attitude reeks of elitism and ignorance.
Can the district do more to improve traffic flow in that area? I think so, even though it's difficult and may inconvenience residents as much as visitors. Can the the district do things to limit public access to these areas? They have done that with seasonal parking restrictions. Can the residents do things to help the situation? I think so, as there are numerous spots where shrubbery that homeowners are responsible for are growing into the sidewalk area and can push people off the sidewalk and into the roadway, especially if cars are parked close to the curb further narrowing the sidewalk area. Unfortunately for the homeowners here, living in this area is a choice that has consequences. If a homeowner doesn't want to deal with extra traffic of all types - pedestrian, cyclist, and vehicle - then they should consider not buying a property that exists in close proximity to a public recreation site. They can also consider the road design/access and how it affects traffic flow. Riverside is a dead end at far north end that is quite narrow, so more difficult access should be expected. Residents can also take more care driving that zone of Riverside. I would estimate that the majority (>50%) of people I see driving too fast in that area are residents.
Does that sound like a bit of an f-u attitude on my part? Yup, but I think people who can afford to live in that area probably have the smarts to figure out how traffic and other types of public use are going to affect the neighbourhood they live in. As to how we got here I think it's easier to figure out. Mix in some people who don't care about how their actions affects others with home owners who think their neighbourhood is for their exclusive use with a whole bunch of people who have opinions on either side of the fence and you'll end up with a shouting match that shouldn't even exist in the first place.
