Los Gatos Weekly-Times

Trail safety weekend benefits all Los Gatos Creek Trail users

By Shari Kaplan

With a goal of promoting safer use of the Los Gatos Creek Trail, the Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation Department is sponsoring Trail Safety Weekend on Nov. 8 and 9, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.

The weekend's theme centers on the motto of "cut your speed in half when you pass." Although the posted speed limit for bicyclists and skaters using the trail is 15 mph, Parks and Rec requests that individuals reduce their speed to no more than 7 1/2 mph when passing another trail user--especially pedestrians.

A multi-use trail such as the Los Gatos Creek Trail must be accessible to all types of users: pedestrians, joggers, dog-walkers, parents with babies in strollers, in-line skaters, roller skaters and bicyclists.

"We hope to teach each of them how to work together to share the trail and make it a safe place for all to enjoy," says Parks and Rec spokesperson Tamara Clark-Shear.

On the weekend of Nov. 8 and 9, two radar trailers will be set up along the trail to give users an instant digital reading of their speed. A county park ranger will also walk along the trail with a hand-held radar gun to help users assess their speed. At Vasona Lake County Park--which the Los Gatos Creek Trail runs through--rangers and Trail Watch volunteers will offer trail-safety information at a safety checkpoint.

Among basic safety tips for trail users:

* All traffic must stay to the right of the white line.

* Passing takes place to the left.

* Everyone must sound a warning before passing--either by horn, bell or voice.

* Bicyclists must yield to in-line skaters; both must yield to pedestrians.

* Helmets are required for bicyclists younger than 18.

* All dogs must be on a 6-foot leash.

For more information about the Trail Safety Weekend, call 358-3741.

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