By Steve Garone
Over the past several years, rail trails have become extremely popular among people who want to have a safe area to get some exercise. The brilliant notion that old, unused rail paths can be converted to recreational use has by all accounts been very successful. One only needs to be present on one to experience this.
It is true that rail trails offer citizens a good opportunity to gain exercise while experiencing the outdoors, nature, and scenery without having to constantly deal with cars and trucks. They can offer safety and convenience while taking advantage of already existing pathways through and around our towns.
Rail trails are truly multi-use – people of all ages, using the trails for a variety of purposes, use these trails every day. Walkers, runners, bikers, people with small children and/or dogs, and so on can be found taking advantage of them on a regular basis.
However, their safety and utility do require everyone who uses them to practice what might be described as “rail trail etiquette”.
The experience that I and others I know have had with rail trails has taught us that a resource designed to be safe can quickly become just the opposite if certain guidelines are not followed. As a walker, runner, and biker, I can personally tell you that I have directly experienced and seen some circumstances that would call into question the safety of rail trails.
The first characteristic to note is the width of these trails. Some locales have taken the initiative to paint a line down the middle of a trail, providing the means for users to “stay to the right” when using it. Some have not to date (including, sadly, Wayland). In either event, it is important for all users to leave space for others to pass in the other direction, or for those who are moving faster than you to pass you (this is really important when it comes to bikers, who move relatively fast).
Unfortunately, not everyone pays attention to these guidelines. A group of walkers or runners, which may include families or friends, can sometimes be found using the entire width of the trail for their members. This sets up a dangerous situation. As an example, those on bikes usually use bells, or their voice, to indicate their intent to pass these folks on the left, but this often causes a person in a spot where they shouldn’t be to actually take a step in the wrong direction.
Dogs and young children can also become an issue. Dogs first and foremost need to be on leashes. They also need to be held close to their walkers so that they don’t drift across the road. The danger with young children can best be described with an example: Last year I encountered a situation on the Natick rail trail while riding my bike. Ahead of me was a mother with a small child in a stroller and a toddler walking at her side. There was a biker ahead of me, and as he began to pass the group, the toddler decided to dart across the road. The biker broke hard to avoid a collision, falling over his handlebars onto the pavement. Fortunately, no one was seriously injured, but the incident provided a clear example of what can happen if etiquette is not practiced.
Young children on bikes, even when they are riding with adults, sometimes unpredictably drift into oncoming traffic. Parents need to keep a close eye in these situations.
Rail trails are a great resource, and more are coming online on a regular basis. They offer all of us a good way to get some exercise and enjoy the outdoors. Just a bit of attention to how we use them can go a long way toward making them safer and allowing them to be enjoyed by all.
