Rails To Trails

Here in Thurston County we are fortunate to have a series of paved trails that in the past were part of a regional railroad system. Over time, the right- of- ways have been acquired by cities and the county. With the help of a number of grants they have been turned into a great place to ride a bike, roller skate, walk or whatever else you want to do on the trail. Statistically, anyone who rides a bike on a public road will eventually be hit by a car or truck. Riding on a trail significantly lowers the risk.


The trails are not without hazards however. On the trail between 14th Ave in Lacey and Indian Summer Golf Course you are likely to encounter lots of older people walking their yappy little dogs. There are signs indicating that all dogs have to be on a leash but that it often ignored. Some dogs are leashed, but on extremely long tethers which makes the leash useless. No thrill is greater than running over a dog while traveling 15 mph on a bike. Come to think of it, getting a rabbit caught in your spokes comes in a close second. Absolutely nothing, however,compares with an old lady going into cardiac arrest when you run over her little fluffy poo.

One day I encountered a couple out walking their dogs. She had three and he was grappling with another four. I slowed down to a crawl and when I passed them I said. “Wow! This looks like a Korean buffet.” He laughed. She didn’t. . Little yappy dogs or “rats on a rope” as I like to call them, are still the biggest hazard.

When I pass people walking the trail, I always pass on the left. I always give fair warning by saying in a firm voice, “On your left”. People with normal brain matter move to the right, but those whose latest brain test scored “oblivious” or lower always move to the left. I have considered yelling “Move your @$$ to the right” but I don’t think it would do any good. I have also considered putting a bell on my handlebar but then I would have to put a pink basket above the front wheel.

I once settled an insurance claim where a 14 yr old boy ran over a 92 year old man who was walking on the Burke Gillman Trail in Seattle. The kid was watching his gears change instead of watching where his bike was going. If I recall, the total settlement was in the neighborhood of $17,000. Because Washington is a strict liability state where dogs are concerned, I pity any dog owner whose dog might drag me off the trail and into the bushes. My motto is…”All Dogs Should Be Eaten”

Thanks for listening, I feel much better.