Common courtesy will keep paths safe

Recent Fence Post letters (“Ring a bike bell, prevent a collision” and “Lake Arlington path as dangerous as ever”) leave me with one thing to say: We are all responsible and need to be respectful of the other people using the paths and sidewalks. I walk, jog, and ride my bicycle. As a walker and jogger I stay as far to the right as possible, usually inches from the edge of the path, so others can pass. When riding, I call out “on your left” as I approach to pass others.

Since at least half the people on the path have earbuds or headsets they usually don’t hear me and sometimes I can hear their music as I pass. No wonder they can’t hear. Ring a bell? How about an air horn?

Paths like at Lake Arlington, the Palatine Trail, and Prospect Heights path are all about 8 feet wide with a stripe down the center. Why do some people insist on being two and three abreast, taking up most of the path? There are even people who use the yellow line like it’s leading them to the Emerald City. They get on that line and simple won’t move to get out of the way of others. Everyone, please show some respect and caution and we can all use the paths safely together.

Paul Schmitz

Arlington Heights