Bicycle safety can save someone’s life

Several days ago my wife and I were walking on the pedestrian only path in Renton’s Coulon Park, bearing to the right hand side, when we were startled by a bicycle passing us without warning from behind, on our left, at about twenty miles an hour. Had my wife moved only several inches to her left, she would have been severely injured or worse by the bicyclist. Luck was on our side that day. A heavy-set man, a senior (like us), was riding a large and heavy bike, potentially very destructive. After he turned around and came back towards us, I respectfully stopped him and informed him that bicycles were banned from the path, as the numerous symbolic park signs attested – he mumbled something, and then rode off.

A short while ago an 83-year-old woman was hit and killed by a bicycle while walking on a trail in Renton. I don’t know the exact circumstances of that accident, but it could have been similar to our encounter, but with a deadly outcome – evidently the woman moved into the path of the oncoming bicyclist. She was hit from behind; did the bicyclist warn her of his passing as required by law? Did he slow down? Was the woman hard of hearing? I don’t know the answer, but when walking I have very rarely been warned by an overtaking bicyclist.

Several years ago we got into modern bicycling, buying cruiser type bikes with trail bike features to handle our local conditions safely. For good visibility we have high intensity strobe lights front and rear (red), powerful brakes to stop surely under all conditions, and a bell (about $5) to warn pedestrians and other bikers of our presence. Our helmets (required by law) with rear view mirrors, have served their purpose many times.

I offer the following which has served us well:

always wear bright colored clothing for high visibility; summer shade can hide you as surely as a dark night.

BICYCLISTS:

pedestrians always have the right of way. When passing slow down and warn others of your presence by ringing you bell from about thirty feet behind; always ride single file to increase maneuver room to handle the unexpected; if children and/or animals are present be extra alert for sudden movement into your path and either stop or slow way down.

PEDESTRIANS:

bear to the right, leave a clear passing path to your left; have all children and animals under control. Glance over your shoulder occasionally to check for bikes coming from behind.

Enjoy yourselves; the warm weather is just ahead!

Anthony E. Pomata

Maple Valley