Dear Editor,
Well, it was only a matter of time when the complaints would be made. It’s the tiresome issue of dogs, bikes and joggers! I don’t know why it is that some of the bike riders and joggers feel they are the only ones entitled to use any of the trails in Richmond, even the few designated off-leash parks.
First of all, I would like to thank the city for the Railway Greenway. It is beautiful and so appreciated by myself and all the people I say hello to or stop and chat to. I walk on it daily with my dog and husband.
I have to say that I have never seen a dog off leash on the trail and even commented about how clean it is with the number of dogs that are walked on it.
But, now that the bike riders and joggers have started making complaints about dogs to the city, I would like to air some of the issues I have with them.
There are posted signs stating that the trail is to be shared. Also, there are existing bike lanes on both sides of Railway. I would like to ask the bike riders to put bells on their bikes, or call out, to alert me you are behind me, as I can’t hear you.
The trail is narrow and I need to know when to pull my dog leash tight and step aside, so you can pass safely.
I would also like to suggest to the bike clubs and racers to use the bike lanes on Railway Avenue as the speed and number of bikes coming either way is very scary and dangerous for us walkers, our dogs and our children.
Of course, there is not much you can really do about teenagers on rollerblades, skateboards and bikes, and they are not likely to be reading this. Ha! Ha! So, a little consideration, tolerance and some common sense is all I ask, and I think we should all get along fine.
Zara MacLeod
Richmond
