Several factors contribute to the apparent clash between users of the town's pathways— Varying speeds, lack of courtesy, no posted speed limits, total absence of policing and failure of some dog owners to control their pets— Just to name a few. Never-the-less, it seems many bikers create more than their share of annoyance simply because they will not slow down when approaching walkers and often either have no signaling device or don't feel they have to use it.
I walk the dog usually twice a day. Time and again bikes race up quietly from behind and sometimes I can hear a little— Very tiny— Quite inadequate "ding" when they are often almost upon me. Hardly enough time to pull in the pooch or step out of the way!
The solution? Set speed limits on shared trails and post them along the trails. Get some bylaw muscle out there to enforce limits. Create better standards for bicycle bells or horns so they can be clearly heard. My dog needs to be licensed in this town. Is it coming time for bicycles to be licensed too? Has the Mayor and Council got the encouragement to tackle this growing problem?
Regards,
Ken Silcox
