I really cannot understand Florence Kennedy’s argument against sharing the natural trails that are in and around the city of St. John’s, which includes The Grand Concourse. They are for everyone’s enjoyment.
My husband and I have been cycling our tandem for over 10 years. We enjoy all the trails around Paradise and Mount Pearl and take the Railway beds and Grand Concourse to Bowring Park and downtown St. John’s. We have never encountered any problem whatsoever with walkers/runners or cyclists. We slow down, we have a bell we ring to warn walkers/runners that we are there. Everyone has been courteous to one another.
Why does sharing this beautiful area with one another have to be turned into some kind of “us against them” situation.
We have cycled all over trails in Ontario, England and South Africa. All are shared with both walkers/runners and cyclists. You go anywhere in Europe and it’s the same thing.
There may only be the occasional inconsiderate walker/runner or cyclist that we have met. We remain cautious because we have slowed down and made room for them.
And you will find no matter where you go these things occasionally happen.
So I think life is too short for all this “us against them” attitude.”
Cleaning up dog crap is another topic you may want to take issue with.
One suggestion for St. John’s bike plan would be to look at what Mount Pearl is doing on the nature trails that were once railway beds. Crushed stone instead of pavement may be the answer for lower impact on joints for our aging population. Cycling on our city streets is a whole other topic.
Pat Watson,
Mount Pearl
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