Re: Fw: Bike Collisions on Guadalupe River Trail

[Robert <http://dummy.us.eu.org/robert>]

 > From: Noelle <noelle>
 > Date: Fri, 19 Jun 2020 15:43:49 +0000 (UTC)
 >
 > FYI

If the underpasses are so dark, I'm surprised that there wasn't a single
mention of lights (headlamps) here.

 >     ----- Forwarded Message ----- From: Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition <
 >     http://www.bikesiliconvalley.org/~allison>To: Noelle <http://dummy.us.eu.org/noelleg>
 >     Sent: Friday, June 19, 2020, 07:47:36 AM PDT
 >    Multi-use trails 
 > have seen a steady increase in usage.    
 > |  
 > |  Weekly Wheeler
 > Your weekly source of biking tips and encouragement.   |
 > 
 > |  Multi-use trails have seen a steady increase in usage in the past few 
 > months. These asphalt trails wind their way amongst creeks, rivers and along 
 > major roads and provide an opportunity to enjoy riding a bike without having to 
 > navigate cars. If you're like us at SVBC, you've noticed all the new trail 
 > users and can't help but smile at seeing lots of people rediscovering the joy 
 > of riding a bike. Unfortunately, there have also been some recent tragedies.
 >  
 > We were saddened and concerned to learn about two separate, recent bike crashes 
 > on the Guadalupe River Trail resulting in the deaths of two people biking. The 
 > first happened near the underpass of Julian Street and the second happened 
 > under the Tasman Bridge. Both were bike-on-bike collisions, which are extremely 
 > rare to begin with, and even rarer are they fatal. The design of the 
 > underpasses (where the crashes occurred) create a situation in which people 
 > biking pick up speed as they ramp down under the overpass and then are thrust 
 > into a dark corridor with limited visibility.* 
 >  
 > While the design of trails plays a critical role in safety, it is also 
 > important to ride in ways that reflect the diversity of trail users. It is in 
 > the bike community’s best interest to make sure that all these new people 
 > have a good experience and keep riding. For that reason, below is some guidance 
 > for ensuring that the trails remain an enjoyable, safe, welcoming place for us 
 > as we shelter in place and for the duration. 
 >  
 > What Can You Do? 
 > Slow Down. 
 > Speed was a factor in both these crashes, which is also due to the way the 
 > trail is designed. In these instances, the riders picked up speed as they went 
 > under an overpass. Prepare for this, manage your speed on hills and ride in 
 > control. Also, keep in mind that trails are not racetracks. If you’re 
 > clocking your time for a PR, it’s time to leave the trail and ride on the 
 > road. Most trails, including those in where-I-live have a speed limit of 15mph 
 > unless otherwise posted. 
 >  
 > Anticipate and Observe.
 > It may be tempting to let your guard down because you’re not amongst car 
 > traffic - please don’t! Be vigilant on trails because it can sometimes be 
 > less predictable than riding on roads. Prepare to brake for kids, dogs, wayward 
 > squirrels, or people walking and engrossed in conversation. Expect someone to 
 > be on the trail around that blind corner or curve or in the dark underpass. Be 
 > cautious, but have fun and enjoy the scenery. 
 >  
 > Communicate. 
 > If you’re coming up on other trail users and plan to pass, let them know you� > �re coming. Bells works really well on trails and most folks will identify that 
 > with a biker. If you don’t have a bell, a friendly, ‘on your left’ works, 
 > too! Just be sure to give plenty of time to avoid startling them. 
 >  
 > Be Friendly To Other Users. 
 > Use our extensive trail networks for how they were intended and welcome ALL 
 > users. There are runners, single walkers, walkers with dogs, walkers with 
 > babies in strollers, users wearing headphones, skateboarders and those riding 
 > bikes — including kids. It’s wonderful, all of these folks enjoying 
 > recreation and the outdoors. When encountering other people on the trail, make 
 > eye contact so that you know they can see you.
 >  
 > *SVBC is in communication with the City of where-I-live’s Parks and Recreation 
 > Department, which is responsible for building and maintaining the trail network,
 >  including the Guadalupe River Trail. We are working to come up with immediate 
 > and long term design changes that would prevent this type of crash happening in 
 > the future. 
 > 
 > For more information about where-I-live trails and FAQs visit where-I-live’s Trial 
 > Network and Resources  |