Over the year and a half that I have been frequenting this forum, there have been numerous "discussions" on the purpose of this forum. The majority of these discussions revolve around the different replies that are posted in response to inquires made by posters seeking helpful information about different aspects of considering Belize as a place to move to. The phrase "...that's what this forum is for." has been used to "defend" all matter of replies.
In an effort to gather the "public's" opinion as to what THEY perceive the most helpful type of reply is in meeting the "purpose of this forum." I would like to present this unscientific research project:
Below will be an actual inquiry that was posed on this forum. Following that inquiry will be two (2) separate actual replies to this very inquiry. They will be labeled "Reply A" & "Reply B".
After reading through the inquiry and replies, you are asked to Vote which of the two replies BEST supports the "...purpose of this forum.".
You will vote by Replying to this posting and list that reply which you feel is most in the spirit of fulfilling the "...purpose of this forum." by simply writing "Reply A" or "Reply B", indicating your choice.
Thank You for participating.
ACTUAL INQUIRY:
"Hello members
I would to know how safe are Belize roads if I want to travel by bicycle within Cayo to various Mayan places and other tourist locations of historical importance?
I am not expecting specifically marked space for bicycles. But is it safe to use bicycles on rural and urban roads, main roads and highways?
How safe it is to start in the morning to a tourist attraction by bike in the morning and to return at 5pm in the evening by same route? Any bandits on the street?
Thanks for any info"
REPLY A
"It is unsafe to drive on Belize roads on a bicycle. Belize roads are crap being of high crowned characteristics increasing roll over potential and no shoulders. The drivers are inattentive, often drunk and poorly instructed.
There are several serious accidents /day on average countrywide often serious or fatal."
REPLY B
"Cayo district is very hilly so you do need strong legs but Cycling is popular as a means of transport and as a sport. At the weekend in that district you will see many cycling clubs out for a run. There are several big organised cycling events that attract international riders. during the year.Traffic is always a concern to a cyclist wherever you are, but there are very few hard shoulder areas and some main roads do have "Frilly edges" and most have sleeping policemen (speed humps) of differing designs so they do work at slowing traffic, You ask about cycling to ruins and tourist attractions, few of these are on main roads and most a trek into more jungle areas, The Zoo is on the main road but its a long hilly ride from San Ignatio area. Don't be put off if it is what you want to do. You will soon decide if you still think it a good idea or not once you get here. Just remember to bring a good stock of puncture repair kits. I just reread your original post. You list 4 different kinds of roads.
Unfortunately Belize only has about 4 main "highway" roads these are single lane hopefully with road markings. and frequent Sometimes unmarked or mis-marked speed bumps. Within towns and some of the larger villages there will be paved roads, beyond that the rural roads range from reasonably flat dirt tracks to the equivalent of plowed fields. Marl is a popular road surface but it is awful to ride a bike or Trike on.
In the Wet season those dirt roads get ripped up by trucks when they are wet and its a quagmire of mud ridges and water,then the fierce sun rapidly dries out the mud leaving something akin to small concrete hills and dips until the rain returns.
In the rainy season one of the recurring sites is of the "tar trucks" which are the trucks that ride up and down those 4 main roads. truck stops a man jumps off with his bucket in hand and drops dollops of tar into biggest of the pot holes, It is a never ending task as often
this repair is ripped out by the next big truck following behind. I love Belize warts and all, the roads in the rainy season are definitely one of those warts."
Thanks for participating.
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