To the young woman on a mountain bike, wearing a blue and green parka and a helmet at 3:35 p.m. on Dec. 23:
I was walking west on the Monarch Spur Trail near Fifth Street and just to the right of the trail’s centerline, avoiding some ice. Did you see the 6 foot tall, 190 pound man in a long black parka you were about to overtake or was your mind elsewhere? I was JUST about to move the right edge of the trail where I usually walk. I heard a single crunch on the snow and a sixth sense told me told hold position. You glided by slowly but silently, passing me on the RIGHT without saying a word. I was so caught off guard (and masked) that I did not have a chance to engage with you as you kept on, heads down. I’m sure this was not done on purpose, but it almost ruined both our holidays.
Common sense (and bicycle etiquette) dicates that you CALL OUT whenever overtaking a pedestrian or another cyclist. The usual is “On the left”, in enough time that if that person zigs instead of zags, you can still make a safe stop, avoiding a fall or collision. When I approach, I use a bicycle bell and call out clearly so as not to startle anyone, yet make my intentions very clear.
The Monarch Spur Trail is heavily used, 7 days a week, at all hours. There are cyclists, pedestrians of all ages, skateboarders, deer, fox and dogs – none of whom are as predictable as you might hope. Multiple dogs “socializing” (especially those off-leash) are particularly hazardous. I treat them as a full stop before approaching and will engage with the owners before proceeding.
The point is: both of us could have ended up in the hospital, severely injured. Some years ago, I knew a woman who was casually cycling in her own cul de sac who encountered a squirrel or a cat crossing her path. She ended up crashing, suffering brain injuries. The hospitals are busy enough these days and holidays seem to increase the caseload in the ER. They don’t need to see us as well.
PLEASE, for your own sake and for those you encounter: CALL OUT when overtaking and when safe, don’t try to squeeze between the pedestrian and the right edge of the trail. We’ll all be the better for it.
Merrell Bergin
Salida
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