A Guide to Trail Safety

Even in a nation with shocking numbers of obese and overweight people, many Americans use multi-use trails through parks and other green areas. On relatively narrow trails adult and child runners, bicyclists, walkers and even a few skaters are creating dangerous conditions. On some trails there may also be people on horseback. Plus there are nature watchers stopping frequently. Making things even more dicey are groups of people “doing their thing” and intent on staying together regardless of whomever else is in the way. And then there are the mothers and nannies pushing strollers. Now take all this diversity and notch it up. Why? Because a whole lot of these trail users are also talking on cell phones or listening to music from their iPods. Distracted car drivers are a known threat on roads and distracted trail users have become just as dangerous. Add to all this intersections on trails with other trails, roads and rest areas that cause trail users to stop or pause. Making matters even more risky are bends and curves and steep inclines that cause problems for users moving at relatively high speeds.

Statistically it may seem that way too few Americans are getting healthy outdoor physical activity, but with population growth and all the talk about the perils of bad eating and a sedentary lifestyle a lot more people are heading for trails, often driving long distances to get to one. In many urban areas the high cost of gasoline is causing people to use their bicycles rather than their cars. Though the numbers do not reduce traffic congestion on roads significantly, they can add greatly to trail congestion. The end result is that trail fever is causing problems nationwide. Instead of obtaining good health, some trail users are taking risks that threaten health, theirs and that of other people.

Unlike automobile use the rules of the trail are far less clear than the rules of the road. Much of the risk on trails derives from different classes of users traveling at very different speeds. Making the situation worse is the frequent absence of trail markings and lanes that would help in separating different kinds of users. Make no mistake, however, a slow walker that gets hit by a speeding bicyclist can be as seriously injured as a pedestrian that gets hit by a car. Cyclists moving too fast for crowded trails are going to confront rumble strips in some places because of rising accident rates.

In July this year, on the Washington and Old Dominion trail in Virginia, two cyclists were critically injured after they ran into each other head on. Three were killed in the prior year on this trail alone, more than in the first 31 years of the trail. This is what one person had to say: “The traffic is unbelievable – stop and go for 45 miles. Commuters stream in a line toward a busy intersection pulsing with people changing lanes. One or two swerve into oncoming traffic, then pour on the speed and cut ahead. One frustrated man shouts, ‘Watch out, buddy!’ It’s like any day on any Washington area highway – except that this is the Washington & Old Dominion Trail.”

Interesting data were obtained in a report issued by the federal Department of Transportation that summarized the results of a study of the Bikecentennial bicycle touring event of 1976, in which 4,065 bicyclists rode at total of 10.4 million miles along a designated route between Oregon and Virginia, primarily in rural areas. The rate for all accidents along the TransAmerica Trail was 60.80 accident victims per million miles traveled. Because records of each bicyclist’s mileage were collected, as well as accident descriptions, the report contains valuable information about bicycle touring, including accident types and accident rates. The participants that responded rode a combined total of 4,998,617.7 miles and experienced 399 accidents. In simple terms, a rider in this group was likely to have an accident requiring first-aid treatment or greater attention every 12,500 miles. The most vulnerable group was 16-20 years of age. They accounted for 40.9% of all the accidents reported, even though that group represented only 27.2% of the total population. The largest portion of the accidents (20%) involved bicyclists colliding with bicyclists. Accidents involving motor vehicles accounted for 17.5% of accidents. Potholes and broken pavement, accounted for 10.7% of accidents. A majority of these bike/bike collisions resulted from one bicyclist tailing another too closely. Although only about 15% of the TransAmerica Trail is steep enough to be thought of as a downhill, a full 38% of all accidents took place while riders were making a descent.

Remember this: Nearly all trail accidents are preventable. With demand rising and trail capacity rising more slowly there are some logical solutions to trail congestion. If everyone follows these rules all trail users can be safe:

1. All trail users must follow the right of way hierarchy. Courtesy is the ultimate prevention method. Horses have the right of way, followed by pedestrians, runners, and skaters. Bicyclists should yield to all other trail users. All users should move in steady predictable ways to avoid startling and interfering with other users.
2. Passing etiquette is to pass other users on their left, leaving at least two feet of clearance. Additionally, the passer should give an audible warning – usually “passing on your left.” This should be done several seconds before reaching other people and passing them.
3. Control technology to avoid being surprised because you have not heard a warning. In other words, lower the music-in-the-ear volume or the cell phone volume. One good idea is to have music piped into just one ear.
4. Control speed and respect trail conditions. While true for everyone, the big problem is bicyclists moving much too fast, especially in congested areas and when visibility is limited. Even runners and skaters may have to curb their speed when many people are walking. Roller bladders must also curb their speed and fancy maneuvers.
5. Watching trail signs is important for everyone, because they warn about intersections and blind spots.
6. When stopping, all trail users should move off of the trail. Even walkers stopping to see animals, flowers, trees or birds should be mindful of other trail users. Also, never leave any object on the trail, including unused bicycles, strollers, and trash.
7. Move in single file. This applies to all trail users, especially when use is heavy. Groups of bicyclists and walkers must be alert to avoid interfering with other users. Do not hog the trail!
8. Control pets and small children walking or on small bikes that accompany trail users on foot or on bicycle. Keep them on the right side and keep pets on a short leash so that they do not interfere with passers.
9. Almost always motorized vehicles are prohibited, with the possible exception of wheelchairs.
10. Weather conditions can pose hazards that must be addressed. Trails are usually not cleared of snow and ice and in some areas heavy rainfalls or flooding can deposit large amounts of silt on trails. Also, early morning and evening times when there is some darkness can be especially hazardous.

To be safe, weigh the risks, be courteous, keep a sharp awareness of what’s going on around you – but maintain whatever trail activities please you so that you get frequent healthy physical activity. Being a wise trail user is so much better than being sedentary.