this post was submitted on 15 May 2026
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Desire Paths

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Desire paths Desire paths can be paths created as a consequence of erosion caused by human or animal foot-fall or traffic. The paths usually represent the shortest or most easily navigated routes between origins and destinations. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desire_path

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I'd think German traffic engineers could come up with a better solution, yet these are everywhere:

The bike paths themselves are desire paths for cars and motorcycles.
To block them off, they put up barriers, but those also block cargo bikes, wheelchairs and strollers, create a collision hazard, and force all cyclists to stop and dismount for no reason.
Of course, they'll be bypassed wherever possible โ€“ naturally by cars and motorcycles too, if there's enough room.

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[โ€“] brotundspiele@sh.itjust.works 9 points 1 day ago* (last edited 20 hours ago)

Still better than these abominations I saw on the official long-distance cycle routes in the UK a few years ago. Was a lot of fun unmounting all my luggage every time. And good luck with a stroller or a wheelchair.

https://cdn.road.cc/wp-content/uploads/roadcc/anti-bike-gates-1024x683.jpg

Btw. your second picture shows, how these things are meant to be installed. ~1.5m apart, so you can easily drive around them, even when going 30kph or with a cargo bike, but not with a car.