Bike-trail etiquette
A long-awaited spring brings the opportunity to get outdoors to walk, run and bike - even in a pandemic-altered environment. I happen to be a jogger, and where I live, that means sharing stretches of sidewalk with bicycles, since there are no bike lanes in the streets. And that is sometimes a problem.
Recently, on two occasions, I was nearly hit by cyclists and have been shocked and surprised several other times to have a bike, coming from behind and without warning, speed by within inches of my arm. Had I inadvertently veered even 6 inches to my left, I would probably have ended up with a broken arm - or worse. Whatever happened to bicycle etiquette? If a bike doesn't have a warning bell on the handlebar (which is an easy attachment), simply saying "on your left" is the appropriate thing to do.
The people who need this information probably don't read the editorial pages of a newspaper, but we have to start somewhere. Please pass the word along to your spouse, kids, parents, friends, etc. All walkers and joggers will thank you.
Tim Ostrander
Prospect Heights