Bike question

[DaisyFoote]

We are planning on getting bikes to ride around the campground. My main question is does everyone who rides bikes wear helmets? Is it required? Is there plenty of bike "parking" at the main attractions? If you have a bike do you have to ride the internal bus to the campfire or HDD? Sounds like from other posts that I want to avoid the internal bus if at all possible. Would you all agree?

 

[North of Mouse]

We are planning on getting bikes to ride around the campground. My main question is does everyone who rides bikes wear helmets? Is it required? Is there plenty of bike "parking" at the main attractions? If you have a bike do you have to ride the internal bus to the campfire or HDD? Sounds like from other posts that I want to avoid the internal bus if at all possible. Would you all agree?

Helmets are required for under 16 (I think) not adults, I know. Yes, there is bike parking (racks) near each area. You can ride your bicycles anywhere within the campground to your destination where's there's racks provided.

There are lots of people that avoid the internal buses if they can. We, personally have never had an issue with them - never have rented carts or had bicycles. You will get different answers based on people's preferences. We don't mind waiting a few minutes on buses, few exceptions when it was longer.

We also enjoy walking in the campground, so relaxing and peaceful.

 

[bama_ed]

At night make sure your bike is properly outfitted with a blinking light or some other means for walkers and car/bus drivers to see you. I've been a walker and been skimmed by kids riding bikes in the dark really fast.

Bama ED

 

[DaisyFoote]

At night make sure your bike is properly outfitted with a blinking light or some other means for walkers and car/bus drivers to see you. I've been a walker and been skimmed by kids riding bikes in the dark really fast.

Bama ED

I never would have thought of that - thanks for the heads up.

 

[KristinU]

Yep, lights front and back and you may also want to plan on outfitting at least one in your party with a rack or basket or something to haul around stuff (like towels for the pool, s'mores fixings, anything you buy at the stores, your stuff for the parks, etc. You will likely want to bring a bike lock...you know, to keep honest people honest ) We lock our three bikes together so we use just one long reaching cable lock.

I wouldn't say we "avoid" the busses, it just seems simpler and quicker to hop on our bikes

Oh, and we all wear helmets whenever we bike. Two cyclist friends who have been in accidents, one with a TBI who would likely not have made it without a helmet, will do that to you. People probably think we're nerds, but so be it.

 

[DaisyFoote]

I just got back from riding a bike for the first time in 25 or more years (trying to get in shape for our upcoming trip). I have one BIG question - is the campground flat?!?! Also, is there bike trails or will I be sharing the road with walkers and golf cart people? If we will be sharing, maybe I should appologize in advance for anyone I might run off the road.

Oh, and we all wear helmets whenever we bike. Two cyclist friends who have been in accidents, one with a TBI who would likely not have made it without a helmet, will do that to you. People probably think we're nerds, but so be it.

I don't have anything against helmets. They are just expensive and we are trying to save money which is why we are camping. My daughter already has one but my DH and I do not. Once we buy all of the things we need for camping though - we might have been better off staying at OKW. Btw, what's a TBI?

 

[North of Mouse]

I just got back from riding a bike for the first time in 25 or more years (trying to get in shape for our upcoming trip). I have one BIG question - is the campground flat?!?! Also, is there bike trails or will I be sharing the road with walkers and golf cart people? If we will be sharing, maybe I should appologize in advance for anyone I might run off the road.


I don't have anything against helmets. They are just expensive and we are trying to save money which is why we are camping. My daughter already has one but my DH and I do not. Once we buy all of the things we need for camping though - we might have been better off staying at OKW. Btw, what's a TBI?

TBI - trauma brain injury!

FW is *flat* - not like we have it in NC

Yes, you do need to share the sidewalk with walkers - can be a bit tricky sometimes. Just need to announce yourself when coming up behind walkers - sometimes it's not easy to hear.

Golf carts have to ride on the street (except off street on certain paths to Settlement, pool, etc.)

We don't really care for helmets ourselves, but use them most of the time. Now when we go to Smoky Mtns. and ride Cades Cove, we do use our helmets. The hills make it more dangerous there. Also at FW. because of the foot traffic, you don't usually ride very fast (or shouldn't anyway, we nearly were run over by a couple with two children once )

JMHO, no one should be riding bikes at night without proper lights and *speed*, but we have seen some people do just that, and it's dangerous for them and walkers.

 

[DaisyFoote]

Thanks North of Mouse - what a relief to hear that FW is flat. I will be working on my bike skills between now and our trip in May.

It was cool to hear that you are from NC and that you know about Cades Cove - we love Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area and go there often. "It's a small world after all!"

 

[englishteacha]

Regarding helmets-You can get helmets at stores like Walmart for around $20 each. If you're on Facebook, many areas have a "Mom Swap" page and you may have luck finding secondhand, barely used helmets there. Regarding camping gear-if you wish to save money by camping, buy what you can secondhand!

 

[North of Mouse]

Regarding helmets-You can get helmets at stores like Walmart for around $20 each. If you're on Facebook, many areas have a "Mom Swap" page and you may have luck finding secondhand, barely used helmets there. Regarding camping gear-if you wish to save money by camping, buy what you can secondhand!

Helmets are sorta like baby car seats, unless you know the person you are buying from, it's best not to take a chance.

Once helmets/car seats have been in accidents (whether obvious or not) they aren't a good risk safety wise - the structure has been compromised.

 

[patches4me]

TBI - trauma brain injury!

FW is *flat* - not like we have it in NC

Yes, you do need to share the sidewalk with walkers - can be a bit tricky sometimes. Just need to announce yourself when coming up behind walkers - sometimes it's not easy to hear.

Golf carts have to ride on the street (except off street on certain paths to Settlement, pool, etc.)

We don't really care for helmets ourselves, but use them most of the time. Now when we go to Smoky Mtns. and ride Cades Cove, we do use our helmets. The hills make it more dangerous there. Also at FW. because of the foot traffic, you don't usually ride very fast (or shouldn't anyway, we nearly were run over by a couple with two children once )

JMHO, no one should be riding bikes at night without proper lights and *speed*, but we have seen some people do just that, and it's dangerous for them and walkers.

1. Wear a helmet
2. Be careful on narrow bridges (walk) and other pedestrians on bike path.
3. Lights and horn/bell


This December I fell on one of the bridges, hit the rustic fence, ended up in Trauma Unit at Orlando Regional Medical Center with lacerated spleen. Serious injury. Head OK, but should have had a helmet.

Doesn't matter if it's flat, you can lose your balance anytime.

 

[North of Mouse]

1. Wear a helmet
2. Be careful on narrow bridges (walk) and other pedestrians on bike path.
3. Lights and horn/bell


This December I fell on one of the bridges, hit the rustic fence, ended up in Trauma Unit at Orlando Regional Medical Center with lacerated spleen. Serious injury. Head OK, but should have had a helmet.

Doesn't matter if it's flat, you can lose your balance anytime.

Not disputing what you are saying, but a lack of helmet was the least of your worries - glad you are OK - sure would have put a quick stop on a great vacation though

This past June in Smoky Mtn. CC, my dh was riding in the CC, stopped to talk to fellow camper, put his foot out on a concrete barrier at CC, foot slipped, and he fell *hard* (was completely stopped on bike). Broke his collar bone, an immediate trip to ER, but sure kept us at the CC for the next 7 days. Also had a torn meniscus in knee (found out later) had surgery recently to repair that, and is finally OK.

So, we can relate to the fear, pain and misery of an accident on vacation. Hope all your future vacations are happy and accident free!!!!