Charlottetown cyclist concerned about safety on popular multi-use path
A Charlottetown bike owner is elevating considerations in regards to the security of the multi-use path at Victoria Park after she fell off her bike final yr.
A busier tourism season is predicted this summer time as varied COVID-19 restrictions are lifted after two years. And Marlene Hunt says which means too many individuals will probably be on the multi-use waterfront path that is open to cyclists, in-line skaters, skate boarders, runners and pedestrians.
“I’ve had points with giant households strolling they usually cannot hear my bell, which is fairly loud,” she mentioned.
“I discover it unusual bicycles cannot go on the boardwalk as a result of it’s meant for walkers and I perceive that. So the bike path or the multi-use path is open to all people which makes it very harmful.”
Hunt additionally wonders who’s liable if an accident occurs on the trail.
“Final fall, I fell making an attempt to keep away from them and I am simply fortunate nothing occurred to them or to me,” she mentioned.
She is okay sharing the street with different cyclists in addition to scooters and skateboard which transfer quick — however when a complete household clogs up the path she says it is tough to manoeuvre round them.
“Not simply strolling in twos however 5 folks blocking the entire method to be able to’t get round with out swearing and sadly having an accident,” she mentioned.
“I believe that being lively is essential and the town must give you a plan on tips on how to accommodate all of us. That is harmful. I’m 72 and I do not wish to fall and break one thing.”
All customers are requested to respect others utilizing the pathway and use further warning in busy areas, metropolis workers mentioned in an e mail.
Cyclists ought to all the time sign with a bell or greeting when approaching a walker from behind, the e-mail mentioned.
Employees famous the Charlottetown biking handbook is out there on-line for anybody who desires to know guidelines round biking within the metropolis.
Again when the multi-use path was a bike-only lane, the town put out a number of bulletins via the years reminding walkers to make use of the boardwalk. The most recent reminder was in 2019 when the town acknowledged that strolling on the trail was not permitted attributable to “security causes.”
