Report a Comment

The comments at ArlNow seem to be closed (it was getting nasty) but I just wanted to point out that the article stated that the trail is 8 feet wide at that point. Some people on ArlNow seem to think that's HUGE and is pleanty of space, but it's clear that they don't use these paths. That's really narrow. 8 is the minimum period while "under most conditions, the recommended minimum width for a two-direction path designed for bicyclists and pedestrians is ten feet. However, when heavy traffic is expected, a path width of 12 to 14 feet is preferred".

http://guide.saferoutesinfo.org/engineering/paths.cfm

Just had to say. I don't know if anyone here is playing the point and blame game and I hope they're not. It's sad this happened, period. I'm also not trying to take the blame and put it on the path or the county or engineers, I just wanted to be clear that 8 feet isn't exactly the huge amount of room it seems some people think it is.

Now, in general terms, not specifically related to this incident....in terms of "on your left", I don't use it because I think it confuses people. I say "excuse me" or "passing" if I don't get a nod or hand wave after ringing my bell.

To the people who think that ringing and calling are rude and aggressive...I don't know what to say. Sorry? I guess? I'm not trying to be a jerk, I'm a pretty nice person. A pretty nice person you'd probably like to know is approaching you from behind, on something heavy, faster than you are walking. Just like when I "take the lane" and the drivers think I'm the world's biggest donkeyhead and I don't feel a lick bad about it (particularly not when I'm on a one-way street with two lanes and one of them, the one I'm "taking" has giant sharrows all over it and I happen to live on that street that the drivers are passing through at 10+mph over the speed limit).

I guess I take the stance that if you can see/hear me well enough to hate my guts.....you can see/hear me enough to avoid a deadly accident and we're all happier for that. So that's something, I guess.

by Catherine on Jun 13, 2012 4:41 pm • link • report