I have read several letters in regard to aggressive bike riding on the Riverwalk. While I am a bike rider on the Riverwalk, I will agree that this is a problem.
The grants and funding for the Riverwalk was for walkers, joggers, and recreational bikers. The problem now is what I call aerobic bikers and aggressive children. There are bikers who are going fast to keep their heart rate up or are practicing for a bike race. Also, there are young, unattended children who are racing one another.
The Riverwalk was not intended for or designed for this.
The only problem I see with walkers is that they sometimes block the entire width of the walkway when they walk together.
I believe all this can be stopped by implementing rules. Some suggestions:
1. Walkers have the right-of-way.
2. Paint a white line in the middle allowing the walkers to go on the right and the bikers passing on the left only when it is clear.
3. Bikers must give notice when passing.
4. Bike speeds cannot exceed 10 mph on the walkway and only 5 mph when passing.
5. Children within 50 feet of parents.
There are plenty of officers patrolling the Riverwalk that can be in charge of monitoring these rules. They have the authority to give tickets and also the authority to ban multiple offenders. I would suggest the need for an open meeting to discuss this problem.
Russell Bean
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I totally agree with all solutions suggested in Russell Bean’s letter regarding bikes on the Riverwalk. And would add one item to his rules - young mothers with their wide strollers running or walking side by side should not take up more than half the trail.
Dale Eubanks