Bike paths that can be used near Irvine California

[rcgldr]

Closest to me would be Los Olivos | San Diego Creek trails (paved pathways). I don't know which "bike paths" allow electric unicycles. I'm not sure if this post belongs in the group meet, since they will discuss locations, but I'm a beginner with a V8F, looking for a path I can use for a few miles and return

[Denny Paul]

In the US, if it's not illegal, its legal. So effectively, you won't get cited for riding an EUC in any reasonable place, as long as you're not putting yourself or others in obvious danger.

If you look up bike paths in your area, odds are your EUC will be fine there. Just respect other pedestrians who are also trying to enjoy it by calling out ahead of time, and not speeding past them excessively. 

[Whalesmash]

I've ridden around most of the main bike paths in Irvine. Never had any problems, though some of the cyclists were a bit pissy for some reason.

[Waulnut]

17 minutes ago, Whalesmash said:

I've ridden around most of the main bike paths in Irvine. Never had any problems, though some of the cyclists were a bit pissy for some reason.

I've mostly encounter the negative ones on the Santa ana river trail. 

As long as you don't speed around pedestrians.  Irvine is accessible everywhere. I've passed many cops on sidewalks and bike lane without issues. 

[Flying W]

I ride all the bike paths in Irvine, and the others in the area. I pass people slowly and wave at officers who usually wave back. Even had one roll around on my wheel with his hand on my shoulder. 

There is one older guy who rides a bicycle on the Aliso Creek bike path down by Aliso highschool who always yells out "illegal" when he sees me but other than that one person everyone I encounter is really polite around here. 

Going out after midnight is great fun too since the paths are empty, you can go as fast as you wish. 

[rcgldr]

2 hours ago, Flying W said:

There is one older guy who rides a bicycle on the Aliso Creek bike path down by Aliso high school who always yells out "illegal" when he sees me but other than that one person everyone I encounter is really polite around here. 

I recall in my younger days, riding a bicycle on Aliso Creek bike path from just SE of the 5 fwy to Cook's Corner, almost all uphill, somewhat of a challenge. If you did get tired, you would always turn around and coast almost all the way back. I don't know what the range would be there on a V8F and me weighing 195 lbs.

[AtlasP]

In this era in time it is unfortunately less important what is technically true and more how people perceive/'feel' about you. (I am not condoning this shift, it's actually the height of evil, but it is the current social reality.)

Therefore it's less important to look up the rules or laws for a particular area and more important make choices that will influence people to perceive and respond to you a certain way. Slow way, *way* down around pedestrians, and *especially* young children and older people. (Flipping up any visor/making eye contact and nodding/smiling to parents and older people helps a ton; waving to young children who love to wave back reinforces to the parents that you see and are paying attention to them/adjusting your behavior accordingly.) Definitely wear appropriate but not aggressive-looking safety gear (helmets and pads are good, but it's less good if they're stylized in a way that makes you look super aggressive and/or like what you're doing is super dangerous). Get a runner's bell/hand bell and use it to signal before passing cyclists, and wave thanks after you pass. Make a point to visibly/explicitly observe road signage when you're being observed by certain obvious social demographics. Etc. Etc.

I still get to ride my fancy wheels fast when & where appropriate, but I ensure my ability and longevity to do so by making smart choices where it has the potential to matter. It doesn't cost me anything, and can even be rather satisfying to watch the initial apprehension in their body language change as they realize/have to concede that you're actually being responsible and courteous.

Edited August 15, 2021 by AtlasP

[rcgldr]

I recall a female co-worker that in the 1990's that commuted to work using a train, then an electric moped on the Santa Ana river trail, getting a lot of "illegal" comments from bicyclists, but it was legal, and she carried some paperwork stating so, but once she mentioned it, the bicyclist would usually just ride away. It was some ugly electric moped she felt safe leaving parked overnight at the train station, with the idea than an ugly one wouldn't get stolen , plus there was a hidden enable switch.

 

Edited August 15, 2021 by rcgldr

[Flying W]

Little kid reactions are the best! I think this are is just full of people who are into tech things too so that helps. In the last 3yrs or so (maybe longer my memory is spotty) of riding EUCs I can't remember any bad interactions that got heated. People around here are pretty cool. 

I do always slow way down for people, I'm usually in a bicycle helmet so people can see my face when I smile too. 

Of I'm going out to the trails I'm way more geared up with my Motocross helmet and dirt bike gear but there less people on mnt bike trails just wandering. Most are other geared up people on mnt bikes. 

I feel very fortunate to live in an area with 100s of miles of bike path and dirt trails.