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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPark 2015-05-20 Item 4E - Trail User EducationCity of Tukwila Jim Haggerton, Mayor INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM TO: Tukwila Parks Commission FROM: Stephanie Gardner, Parks and Recreation Analyst DATE: May 13, 2015 SUBJECT: Trail User Education ISSUE Citizens have voiced concerns regarding trail use. BACKGROUND At a Council Coffee Chat in early 2015 citizens shared concerns regarding trail use. Concerns relate to stop signs are not being heeded by bicyclists and that pedestrians are not be respected by those on bicycles. Council member Robertson has asked that the Parks and Recreation Department consider developing an educational program or place (large) signs that may help to rectify the situation(s). DISCUSSION Education signs along the Green River Trail in Tukwila currently consist of stop signs, yield signs, and vehicle crossing signs. The Parks Commission is being asked to investigate signs located on trails within surrounding Cities to ensure a consistent regional message. An educational program could consist of signs, pamphlets, bicycle safety demonstrations, and information placed in City publications (Hazelnut, website, Parks and Recreation activities guide etc.) An educational program could include the following messages: Share the Trail o Be courteous of others o Stay to the right o Travel in a predictable manner o Pass on the left o Warn others when passing o Don't block the trail o Yield to pedestrians o Use lights at night o Clean up after yourself and your pets o Drugs and Alcohol are prohibited. RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends signs be selected, with consideration of proposals from the Parks Commission, and installed throughout 2015 and 2016. Additionally, staff recommends that an educational program be considered in 2016. ATTACHMENTS A. Trail sign examples B. Share the Trail pamphlet 7 Trail Sign Examples Example A SHARE THE TRAIL Example C SLOW STAY RIGHT BICYCLISTS YIELD TO PEDESTRIANS Attachment A Example B PEDESTRIAN • BE COURTEOUS • KEEP RIGHT • DO NOT IMPEDE OTHER TRAIL USERS Example D KEEP RIGHT 9 10 Share the Trail! BE COURTEOUS. All trail users, including bicyclists, joggers, walkers, wheelchairs, skateboarders and skaters, should be respectful of other users regardlLss of their mode, speed or level of skill. KEEP RIGHT. Stay as near to the right side of the trail as is safe, except when passing another user. BE PREDICTABLE. Travel in a consistent and predictable manner. Always look behind before changing position on the trail. PASS ON THE LEFT. Pass others, going in your direction, on their left. Look ahead and hack to make sure the lane is clear before you pull out. Pass with ample separation. Do not move back to the right until safely past. (Faster traffic is responsible for yielding to slower and on coming traffic.) GIVE AUDIBLE SIGNAL WHEN PASSING. Give a clear warning signal before passing Signal may be produced by voice, bell, or horn. DON'T BLOCK THE TRAIL. When in a group, including your pets, use no i more than half the trail. so as not to block the flow of other users. Share the Trllo PLEASE: 1. Be courteous of others 2. Stay to the right 3. Travel in a predictable manner 4. Pass on the left 5. Warn others when passing 6. Don't block the trail '. Yield to pedestrians 8. Use lights at night 9. Clean up after yourself and your pets 10. Drugs and alcohol are prohibited ALWAYS EXERCISE DUE CARE AND CAUTION. DON'T USE A TRAIL UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL OR DRUGS. You may need all of your reflexes quickly, do not use trails under the influence of alcohol or drugs. YIELD WHEN ENTERING & CROSSING TRAILS. When entering or crossing a trail at uncontrolled points, yield to traffic on the trail. CLEAN UP LITTER. Do not leave glass, paper, cans, or any other debris on or near a trail. If you drop something please remove it immediately. USE LIGHTS AT NIGHT. When using a trail any time from dusk to dawn be equipped with lights. Bicyclists should have a white light visi ble from five hundred feet to the front, and a red or amber light visible from five hundred feet to the rear. Other trail users should use white light visible from two hundred fifty feet to the front, and a red or amber light visible from two hundred fifty feet to the rear. S 1u3u1uDM1V USER GUIDELINES FOR MULTI -USE TRAILS Trails (or paths) for non - motorized use have become very popular. A consequence of their suc cess is congestion. With this, a major issue has become safety. Regardless of whether you are big,- cling, walking, jogging, or skating, if you follow the same set of rules as everyone else your trip will be safer and more enjoyable. HAVE YOU OUTGROWN TRAILS? Trails have engi- neering and design limits. If your speed or style endangers other users check for alternative routes better suited to your needs. Select- ing the right location is safer and more enjoyable for all concerned. PARENT'S RESPONSIBILITY According to state law, all bicyclists must obey all state and local automobile laws. Parent's can be held legally responsible if their child becomes involved in an accident while bicycling after dark without reflectors or a lighted headlamp. A parent is also responsible for the child's violation of any other traffic laws. Share the Trail! ALWAYS EXERCISE DUE CARE CAUTION. This brochure is adapted from the Users Ordinance developed by the Bicycle Fund, 4247 135th Place S. 98006. AND model Path International E., Bellevue, WA Local Distribution of the pamphlet made possible by: 4/44CZ Ak, tit METROPOLITAN PARK DISTRICT N OF TACOMA PATHWAYS ARE FOR EVERYONE! Whatever your reason for using a pathway or trail, the Metropolitan Park District of Tacoma and the City of Tacoma want you to have a safe and enjoy- able experience. Bikers, joggers, walkers, skaters, strollers and oth- ers may all be using the same trail system. For the minimum amount of injuries and maximum enjoy ment, you should understand the trail laws and be aware of the hazards around you. Remember, there are many reasons people use the trails: conditioning, transportation, fresh air, scen- ery and even socializing. So, whatever your reason, SHARE THE TRAIL! INFORMATION ON TRAIL USE For local information on trail use and trail laws contact any of the following organizations: 1) Metropolitan Park District of Tacoma 10 Idaho Street Tacoma, WA 98409 (206) 591 -3690 2) City of Tacoma, Police Department 930 Tacoma Ave. Tacoma, WA 98402 (206) 593 -4721 3) American Automobile Association 1801 South Union Tacoma, WA 98409 (206) 756 -3050 4) Office of the Superintendent, Public Instruction 600 South Washington Olympia, WA 98504 (206) 753 -6701 Shoe the iaii!