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First off, let me just say how BEAUTIFUL it is today! If I didn’t get to ride into work day (first time commuting since the new year!) I would be kicking myself… I rode my Specialized Globe which I have a new found love for- GOD that bike is sweet! (Fenders, generator hub lights for tonight’s ride home, rack, oh yeah.) I’m amazed every time by how much crap I can load onto it. I’ve got a change of clothes, shoes, yoga outfit, towel, 32oz glass jar for H2O, lunch AND dinner, and a huge pink yoga mat situated on the rack, with Arkel panniers. If I didn’t have to go home for the dog, I’d be tempted to go on a 3 day adventure…
But I digress! My point of writing this was to discuss the HORROR I felt in one section of the commuter so-called “bike path” on Huron Parkway. Usually this path is clear, salted (sorry Earth), and a great way to get to work (Packard and Platt) from the northside of Ann Arbor. But today, however, in the downhill section of the paved path that has a guard rail heading south, on the west side of the street I got a free thrill of compromised front wheel stability on my loaded commuter. The maintenance in that section is apparently lacking to say the least– it’s downright DANGEROUS! Unless you are on a mountain bike, but even then I’d say it’d be safer to walk through that messy snow and ice crammed section, or take it to the streets before you get to the hills on the path. Definitely not something you want to ride through as you’re flying down that hill… made me thankful for health insurance.
Who’s in charge of bike path maintenance?
I checked out the city’s Community Standards page, which seems to place the city’s department of snow and ice removal at fault.
(Five minutes later.) I just called the 24-hour “hotline” and left a message about the hazardous situation of the path. If you too encounter such snow/ice within the city on designated bike paths, you can register an official complaint by calling the Ann Arbor Community Standards department at 734. 994.1788.
– Jess
Two Wheel Tango 