One of the positives of living with this pandemic is that many people have taken up cycling.
It's a wonderful, even exhilarating activity fit for all ages. Thanks to the Johnson Foundation, we have a marvelous trail system all over the city. Initially, they were meant for pedestrians only but, due to demand, in recent years some trails are for cyclists too.
However, some of the trails are not adequate for cyclists, they are too narrow, bordering a river on one side and houses on the other and, in the Virginia River trail between Logy Bay Rd. and The Boulevard, a steep downhill with several blind curves and very narrow parts. Cyclists are not allowed on this trail. However, many still use it, putting themselves and pedestrians at risk. Personally, I've had some scary near-misses while jogging.
Neither the city nor the Grand Concourse Authority will take full responsibility. At my request, some new signs have been installed recently, however they are tiny and not easily visible, and only one was installed in the stretch referred to above.
The occasional careful cyclist might not pose a danger, but many careening down at full speed — not a good idea. This two-kilometre stretch must be pedestrian-only.
Elena Hannah,
St. John's
