In mid-March, tragedy again beset our community (Herald, May 9), unleashing a reminder that dogs and bikes – kids on trikes, kids in strollers and wagons, e-bikes (class I-II are allowed) and skateboards (motorized are not), wheelchairs, striders, runners and walkers (some with earbuds) – don’t always mix and can be a lethal combination for people and pets.
Since March, preventable losses of human and animal lives have occurred – on the Animas River Trail and in neighborhoods – due to a proliferation of users and off-leash dogs.
A woman is now widowed because in mid-March her 76-year old husband fell off his bike on the river trail and hit his head. He died two weeks later. Durango police have not yet determined if the dog or cyclist initiated the collision, but the off-leash dog’s presence was the main issue. In other instances, a dog died and another was sent to the vet for stitches due to unleashed dog attacks.
The city is stepping up its efforts with leash enforcement. “It’s a problem every year. But it seems like it’s getting worse, because it seems like we’re getting more people and more dogs,” said Durango Police Chief Brice Current.
Understandably, the Animas River Trail is also experiencing more users. Winding 10 miles from Oxbow Park to River Road, through the heart of Durango along the Animas River, the river and trail is akin to New York’s Central Park. A respite away from the hustle and bustle, a place to mosey, catch up with friends, and take in the sights – boaters, birds, those lucky enough to see eagles, and more – except increasingly it’s not safe.
The Herald’s editorial board is encouraged by the city's response on the trail with new bilingual yard signs in some city parks, “Pedal Light, Leash Tight, Walk on the Right, Share the Trail!” Even if it’s too little too late, and too small a print, it’s a start. We also learned that this summer the city will be adding a Park Ranger through the Police Department with specific ART oversight and the authority to issue tickets. That’s important and overdue.
The problem is not trail use alone. City streets are seeing increased congestion and use and resulting conflicts. On Tuesday, the Multimodal Division kicked off its Speed Management Plan at an Engage Durango Forum, and today is the deadline to respond to a short survey to register concerns about speed and safety on city streets. Visit engage.durangoco.gov/speed-management-plan to learn more and complete the survey.
The editorial board recommends “Safety on the ART” as the topic of a future Engage Durango Forum. We know there would be plenty of participants with great ideas of how to address a problem that is only going to grow in scope.
One of the main problems of trail use is the limited surface area of trails – 10 feet in width – with which we have to cram an increasing number and type of users. Some of our readers had good ideas (to which we’ve added a few) that users and the city can do:
– Slow down
– Give one another space
– Announce your approach from behind (get and ring a bell)
– Control your dog/s (“Leash Tight”)
– Be aware, walk and ride with care
– Don’t block the trail while stopping to talk (be aware of those around you)
– Post rules (visible from a moving bike) and speed limits (10 mph max, slower when passing)
– Paint the trail with a line down the middle
– Assess fines
– Educate, educate, educate (the city, schools, Visit Durango and businesses that rent e-bikes, especially)
All of this planning takes time, so in the meantime exercise great caution, care, consideration and patience. Most of all, slow down. Your or another’s life may depend upon it.
