Editor,
As a Belmont resident and physician in this county, I am increasingly concerned about the safety of pedestrians in city parks that allow mountain bikes. I have been using these parks several times a week since we moved here eight years ago, and while there has always been an element of danger in the face of young, thrill-seeking cyclists barreling down narrow trails with blind curves, it has steadily become more dangerous.
Recently, on a steep, narrow trail above Water Dog Lake, my husband and I suddenly came face to face with about 10 cyclists coming downhill fast.
They braked but started to skid and could not control their speed as they headed straight toward us — we barely scrambled out of their way in time. This is a pretty common occurrence. The next day, on a run in Belmont Canyon, I sprained my ankle. For the time that it took me to slowly limp out of the park, there is no way I could have jumped out of the way of a bike. It suddenly seemed I was taking a serious personal risk just being on these trails.
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It is unfortunate that pedestrians, who I believe are more likely to be local taxpayers than the cyclists, have to choose between giving up their access to these wonderful city parks or taking a very real risk of injury when they go for a walk. I believe it’s time to consider limiting bikes on these trails — for everyone’s safety.
Johanna Wolgast
Belmont
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