Written by This arrived in today’s email from Mayor Law. I think it’s a good idea.
______________________________
From: Denis Law
Sent: Thursday, April 22, 2010 2:33:13 PM
To: Council
Cc: Julia Medzegian; April Alexander; Preeti Shridhar; Jay B Covington;
Marty Wine; Alexander Pietsch; Gregg A. Zimmerman; Iwen Wang;
Kevin Milosevich; Larry Warren; Mark Peterson; Nancy Carlson;
Terry Higashiyama
Subject: Accident on the Cedar River Trail
Dear Council,
I plan to convene a group of administrators and city staff to review the circumstances surrounding the tragic death of an 83-year-old pedestrian who was struck by a bicyclist last weekend. I’m waiting a couple days until detectives have completed their investigation. I have received a number of emails and citizen comments regarding this accident, varying from recommendations to ban bicycles to enhanced enforcement of speed laws and other park regulations.
As you know, our parks and trail system is heavily used by walkers, joggers and bicyclists, especially on nice days. We will examine current rules and regulations and also try to assess what improvements or other action may be prudent to improve safety on our trails. We will meet with you to discuss our findings and any recommendations we have once we have completed our review. This should be within the next couple weeks.
Denis Law
Mayor, City of Renton
1055 S. Grady Way, Renton, WA 98057
425 430-6500
rentonwa.gov
Hopefully, they’ll also consider enforcing the regulation on walking suddenly into the path of fast moving vehicles. Ya know, for the sake of fairness.
Yeah… cause those 83 year-old women really jump around.
Send bike patrols
Is it possible to send police bike patrols on sunny days, when traffic is expected to be high? It would be great if they could issue tickets, but perhaps a police presence would be enough to “educate” some cyclists and path-hogging groups of pedestrians.
At first I thought a speed detector would be good (as seen in some neighborhoods) but then I thought of jerk-cyclists trying to see how fast they could go…..
Re: Send bike patrols
Nah, cops are needed more on the roads where 40000 people dIe every year and an almost uncountable are mainmed, mutilated, rendered incapable of working or living their lives, etc.
It’s amazing how quick people are to try and regulate others before looking at their own faults.
A gravel path would be nice and cheap – pedestrians could use it and be pretty much assured that bikes wouldn’t pester them.
bicylist
Over and over we hear how we are to watch out and respect cyclist. Whether walking or driving … I feel the cyclist throughout Renton are over confident and are not responsible for their behavior. Spring is here and Lk Washington Boulevard is dangerous for all no matter what time of day. There are rules that walkers, cyclist and cars need to follow … daily I am watching out for one particular man cycling through stop signs, and yes I got a police officer to speak with this person … the cyclist was back at it the next day.
We seem to be giving to them and they sure are taking. So if you are a cyclist on the boulevard and you run the stop signs am I to have hurt feelings when you are hit because of your lack of caring about your life or any one else? These club groups are no better and I know they know the rules of the road … I was taught as a child so were my children and now my grandchildren.
Re: bicylist
I abide by the vehicle laws when on my bike on Lk WA Blvd – let’s get the car drivers to do the same. I see far many exceeding the speed limit, texting and driving, and not exercising proper lane control or stopping properly.
As long as we can continue to hate skateboarders!