10 Simple Rules For Greenway Users
I am a frequent user of the greenways in and around Roanoke. By frequent, I mean that I walk an average of 5 miles per day along the Roanoke River, and I also take my son for regular rides in his bike trailer. I believe that the greenways are one of our most important recreational assets, and I volunteer a considerable amount of my time helping to organize and promote the annual Gallop 4 The Greenways.
On days when the weather is less than ideal, I can walk for miles and not encounter another person along the way. Sunny weekends are a completely different story, and Roanokers of all shapes and sizes come out to enjoy the trails. This is when things get interesting.
Perfectly rational people who would never consider driving their cars on the wrong side of the road are somehow oblivious to the fact that the same basic rules of traffic apply on the greenways. Folks who would never allow their dogs to poop on the neighbors grass have no problem letting them take a giant dump right in the middle of the trail. Parents who watch their kids like hawks at home allow them to pedal out of sight on tricycles on the greenways. What is it about nice weather and pleasant walking trails that causes people to lose their minds?
I don’t want to come off as a sanctimonious greenway snob here, but I have seen every imaginable stupid act committed by my fellow walkers and cyclists. As a result of my observations, I’ve come up with a list of common sense rules that will allow us all to have a safer and more enjoyable greenway experience.
1: Always keep in mind that the same basic rules governing two-way traffic on our streets apply on the greenways. This means always keep to the right, and always pass on the left.
2: Be aware of your surroundings. Near misses and collisions occur on the greenways for the same reasons that they happen on the roads. Turn down the volume on your iPod and pay attention to what the traffic around you is doing.
3: The greenway is not a coffee shop. If you want to get together with your girlfriends, go have a nice chat at Mill Mountain Coffee. Do not walk 3 and 4 abreast while you catch up on the latest gossip.
4: Keep an eye on your kids. Young children on bikes and trikes are the most common cause of traffic jams and collisions on the greenways. Kids don’t understand the basic rules of traffic, so it is up to the parents to make sure they don’t cause problems. They may be cute, but they can be a real menace when they weave from side to side or stop suddenly in the middle of the trail. You wouldn’t teach your teenager to drive at the Indy 500, so please think twice about teaching your kid to ride a bike on the greenway on a busy Saturday.
5: The greenway is not a phone booth. If you absolutely must talk on your phone, please don’t stop in the middle of the trail to do it.
6: Control your dog. Like kids, dogs don’t understand the rules of traffic, so it is up to their owners to make sure they don’t cause problems. Always keep to the right, with the dog on your right. If you dog displays unpredictable behavior around other dogs or small children, leave them at home.
7: Leave the retractable leash at home. You wouldn’t stretch a tripwire across a highway, so don’t allow your dog to stretch their leash across the trail. Every weekend I see people doing this, and I’ve seen many accidents when cyclists encounter these situations. You are endangering the life of your dog and of the cyclists on the trail.
8: Forget the stupid pet tricks. At least once a week I see an idiot who thinks it’s a good idea to ride their bike while dragging their dog on a leash. This is dumb for more reasons than I can count.
9: Pick up after your dog. I see people every day who allow their dogs to poop in the middle of the trail and simply walk away. They do this even on days when dozens of people witness the act and they seem unfazed. One day I’m going to follow one of these people home and take a dump on their sidewalk.
10: Remember that you are part of the scenery. One of the reasons that people use the greenways is to enjoy the natural beauty of the area. Keep in mind that your appearance can detract from that natural beauty. If your waist size is greater than half your height, please don’t wear spandex.
I frequently ride my bike on the Greenway and people are oblivious to me coming up behind them. They assume, since there is nothing in front of them they can walk in the middle of the trail.
When my son and I frequent parts of the greenway, most of the individuals we encounter are conscientious of others. But…there are those who prove the lack of common sense is running rampant everywhere. I hope those who are lacking will be enlightened by your list.
Great set of guidelines, but you forgot one which should be a no-brainer, but obviously it is much too difficult for a lot of people: don’t leave your trash behind for me to pick up. There are plenty of trash receptacles along the greenway for you to deposit your food and drink containers, even if you have to carry it a few extra feet until you reach one.
Lynda,
You’re right about the trash. I don’t see it as often as dog poop, but the people who leave it behind are pretty shameless.
These are great guides (dare I say common courtesy?) and need to get out to the users of the greenways. One thing I learned while living in the Metro DC area when using the bike path is when you are passing someone you call ahead and say “passing on your left” — it’s very useful — unless they have their ipod cranked, then it’s up to them to make sure to walk on their side and not wander around aimlessly (this applies to cell phone users too). Thanks Chris.
Perhaps I have missed seeing the signs, but to my knowledge the only list of rules on the Greenway is at the trail fork in Smith Park. It would help to have more signs at access points.