HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/17/2017 Item 10, Smith
Christian, Kevin
From:carolyn smith <cjsmith_107@yahoo.com>
Sent:Monday, October
To:E-mail Council Website
Subject:#10 - Nightime Hiking/Biking on Open Space Trails
Mayor Harmon and Council members:
I am opposed to opening up any of our Open Space trails to night-time hiking and biking. It's
dangerous to allow hiking and biking on the trails during the day-time hours. After dark, it will be even
more hazardous.
I used to hike the trails on Irish Hills 3-4 times a week for many years. However, because of several
dangerous encounters with bikers, I had to quit hiking on those trails. Frequently, mountain bikers
would come barreling down the hill on the narrow trail and since I couldn't hear them approaching, it
caused me to frantically try to get out of their way at the last minute. I was often forced to maneuver
off the narrow trail, up the hill or down the hill, to let the bike pass. For someone of my mature age, it
caused me to have unsure footing and I was just lucky I never fell down the hill. When a biker came
speeding around a blind downhill corner and we collided, I was finally forced to quit hiking the Irish
Hills trails for my own safety. It was very disappointing and frustrating for me since these trails are in
close proximity to my home and afforded me the opportunity to hike without having to drive my car to
a trail that doesn't allow biking. I later learned from other hikers I used to see on the Irish Hills trails
that they too stopped hiking on them because of the danger from speeding downhill bikers.
At one point, there was a bucket full of bike bells at the beginning of the trail that bikers were asked to
use to warn hikers as they approached. Unfortunately, not long after those appeared, I learned they
were stolen and, the last time I checked, are no longer used.
Allowing biking and hiking on the same trails during daylight hours is dangerous--I've experienced it.
Allowing it at night is even more perilous. There will be injuries--no doubt about it.
Carolyn Smith
SLO Resident
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