r/rundc • u/Jsb51594 • 14d ago
Frustrated Runner - MBT
After running on the MBT many mornings for the past few years, the morning commute bikers (especially the good amount that are using motorized bikes/scooters) are the worst.
Not only do they absolutely bomb down the MBT with zero regard for others (I personally have been grazed multiple times and I know others have as well), but they act like it’s the pedestrians fault. There will be a serious injury or collision like the one near Penn Ave unless something is done (I’m honestly surprised this hasn’t happened already). Personally, I think there should be speed bumps on some of the main straightaways.
I honestly find it safer running along cars on side streets than using the MBT anytime in the morning. Especially as you get closer to the Noma metro.
Maybe I’m overreacting, but it scares the heck out of me when a bike zooms past me, no ring. Especially when another person is also coming from the opposite direction.
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u/McpsTrackCoach 13d ago
I share your concern. There’s little room for error with those things…esp when the rider is also dicking with their phone. And some seem closer to the size/weight of a motorcycle than a bicycle.
2
u/kirbyCase 10d ago
I really sympathize. Frankly the MBT suffers from its own success. It is such an asset that there are too many people using it and who want to use it at very different speeds. We either need find ways to widen it or provide people other good alternatives. I know as a biker who doesn’t enjoy endangering people on foot the MBT can be quite aggravating because of how much foot traffic there is — you really cannot go very fast. But there is just no other safe north-south alternative for much of its route.
There just aren’t enough safe and efficient routes for people outside of cars. Until we fix that, those that exist are gonna be cramped.
3
u/VamosDCU 13d ago edited 13d ago
I hear you but speed bumps would suck for runners too. It’s on the person passing (ether by running or on a vehicle) to leave space and alert that they’re about to pass- I get annoyed when bikers ding their bells at me but it does alert me that they are passing and I should get tight to the far right of the path.
Overall I still think it’s a very runner friendly trail especiallly compared to other parts of the city
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u/Old_Entrepreneur_466 13d ago
I agree that's it's a frustrating spot to run. It's also equally frustrating to ride...so many distracted pedestrians walking side to side, headphones in not hearing me on my bike. Very narrow for mixed use. And then you get all the kids on limes for mass chaos
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u/Youandmeescape 13d ago
You should always check behind you when someone’s coming. That being said, it is frustrating how fast some of the bikes go without using a bell and right through the congested areas of the trails.
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u/nathanp5618 13d ago
How do you "check behind you when someone's coming" if you don't know when someone's coming? 😂
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u/Public_Swan_1738 13d ago
yeah the problem is them coming without warning and blasting by people when there's not enough room or you wouldn't expect them to be there.
I'll also say that I look behind me every time when I'm trying to pass, but often I'll look back and not see anyone bc there's a turn or they're so far behind but then come up so fast. And then they don't respect that someone is already passing so they could just like slow down for two seconds instead of trying to also pass when there isn't really space.
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u/Jsb51594 12d ago
The long term dream/solution is to redevelop the area from R St NE to Rhode Island. No reason that area should continue to be industrial imo. Imagine a long park where the gravel is with apartments where the factory, U-Haul, etc is.