St. Louis park rangers handing out speed warnings to cyclists

<i>Rangers told me that their main objective is to slow down cyclists. They recommend cyclists stay under 15 miles per hour. In some places (like the parking lots), the speed limit is posted at 10 miles per hour.</i>

Not even I'M that slow.

the comment is spot on, though.

a cyclist could knock someone over at 14 mph if s/he didn't know - and/ or the ped didn't know - the rules of the trail.

I ride on a trail near me that has both cyclists and walkers/ runners, and most of the time people stay to the right and pass on the left.

I'm going to side with rangers on this one.  The fact that some many people behave like morons shows we can't rely on common sense and/or ettiquette to solve the problem.  If you want to ride fast, cycle on the road.

I've got to agree with the Rangers too. When we're talking about riding on trails or sidewalks then deference has to be given to the pedestrians. That said, if they want to keep all the cyclists on the roads then the state needs to have strong and comprehensive laws that protect cyclists.

Then ride somewhere else.

I'm assuming these are paved trails with posted speed limits. Why would you think you are exempt to the laws or park rules?

I've said this before, but this is one of many reasons I'm not a fan of multi-use trails.

I'm with the bear on this. I was hit full on years ago by a cyclist on a sidewalk who was moving fast. Neither I, the cyclist nor the witnesses could believe I wasn't hurt. One store owner who saw it had to be talked out of calling an ambulance.

Trails etc. with pedestrians are no place to ride a bike at speed. A collision with a bike going 20 mph could easily cripple or kill a child. 

I guess I can't imagine having any desire what so ever to ride my tri bike on a multi use trail. It would be a frustrating waste of my time.

I use a multi-use trail as part of my bike commute.  The speed limit is 15, so I go 15.  If I want to ride faster than 15, I ride on the road.  It's no good for cyclists to complain about cars speeding, illegally passing us, etc., if we just turn around and speed or otherwise behave illegally ourselves.

Also, a lot of beginning cyclists, rollerbladers, people with little kids, etc. use the multi-use trails because they are afraid of using the streets.  Even if there wasn't a speed limit on the multi-use trail, I wouldn't feel comfortable going any faster than 15 -- beginners and young children are frequently very erratic and don't have great judgement yet, and I've had a couple close calls with the clueless as it is.  

Gotta agree with "The Bear" and others, if you want to use the facilitys than follow the rules.
I have been hiking on to many multi use trails with obnoxious BMXers and trail riders to feel differently. Some of these trails are barely wide enough for one hiker and we are expected to stay to the right. To me it is just the same as cars and bikes on narrow roads