03-27-1990 PTRC Meeting Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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A dry land cousin to snow and ice sports,it provides many of the sensations experienced by downhill and cross-country skiers and ice-skaters. The skates glide like skis and turn like ice skates. They offer a low impact aerobic alternative to running. The speeds achieved by the skilled blader may be one of the most appealing,and simultaneously, most hazardous aspects. It is not difficult to glide along for extended periods at 15 to 20 miles per hour. Compared with roller skates,in-line skates are faster,more maneu- verable,and grip the surface better. Compared with bicycles which travel at the same speeds, in-line skates are more difficult to stop and less adaptable to trail surface variations. The trail needs for this sport add to trail planning complexity. Despite the vast trail mileage in Ramsey County,the portion suitable for recreational in-line skating is quite limited. The in-line skater needs a relatively level, smooth and continuous surface which is safe from all automobile intrusion. The following factors seriously limit suitability for in-line skating: long hills, especially if leading to another hazard such as an intersection, driveway, curve,or surface change;blind corners or other poor visibility;automobile intrusion; sand or gravel,especially on a curve or hill;standing water or wet pavement;leaves or sticks on the path; rough asphalt surface such as potholes,depressions,bumps or cracks;or heavy pedestrian traffic. Most skaters can adjust to an isolated hazard. When several occur one after the other, accidents will occur. Hazards can be mitigated with proper planning. For example,if crossing a roadway is necessary, the trail portion should be flat or rise slightly when approaching the intersection to facilitate stopping. The best trail alignment is separated one-way paths. Bikes and in-line skaters can share an eight foot path though even then cooperation is required to avoid it becoming a contact sport. The dual-path system on the Minneapolis lakes works well even with heavy trail usage. There the inner loop is reserved for walkers and joggers. The outer path is well separated and reserved for bikers and skaters going clockwise only. High speed bicyclists use the adjacent parkway traveling the same direction as auto traffic. Little has been written about the safety and trail needs of this relatively new sport. The best document to date is General G idglin for In-line Skating Trails by Roller- blade,Inc. It is available from Rollerblade at(612)930-7000. When planning a facility, assistance is also available from Mr. John Uban of Dahlgren, Shardlow, and Uban Consulting Planners (D.S. & U)at(612) 339-3300. D.S. &U. are under contract to Rollerblade,Inc. Happy Trails to You is written by Bill Frank with editing and layout by Jeanne Weigum. It is available at no charge to Friends of the St. Paul and Ramsey County Parks and Trails. For more information about this publication or trail activities,contact Bill Frank at(612)484-5068.