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• Trail: Slow down, Ring a bell
• Sidewalk: Slow down

Reading about this tragedy and realizing that even at a very slow speed the woman would have been knocked down makes me long for non-multiuse trails. Bikes should be separated from pedestrians for the safety of pedestrians. Biking is for transportation, not recreation. I ride for the former strictly. Even if I were recreating I would be trying to go as fast as possible. That's whats fun and recreational about a bike. Its like flying.

Additionally, Bicyclists should announce when they are overtaking another bicyclist. Often on the MBT I am passed by faster bikers who do not warn me in any way. Once it almost caused a collision b/c as I approached a pedestrian I rang my bell a couple times (pedestrian had headphones on) and then had to cross over into the left lane to go around just at the moment a biker was overtaking me. Yes i should have looked over my shoulder and now I always do. I learned. But that same biker passed me just yesterday again w/o warning and again almost caused a collision, even though I didn't change lanes, it was right where the MBT meets 8th St NE and he passed me on the little ramp that leads from the trail to the street. I did look over my shoulder before going to the ramp but either I didn't see him or he wasn't visible b/c he was around the bend out of viewing distance when I looked. He did not have a front lamp on (it was still light out) nor was he wearing a brightly colored shirt that would have stood out from the surroundings when I looked back. Yes, I need a rear view mirror. But it doesn't matter how much equipment I get - I will still be vulnerable to assholes who act in ways that endanger others.

by Tina Jones on Jun 12, 2012 10:41 am • link • report