I have been walking the Mission Reach of the San Antonio River since long before it was finished, when it was all raw earth and drip irrigation, plastic anti-erosion material and bulldozers. There was a lot of construction, but not a lot of people. In time, the construction stopped, the plants grew in, and the people came.
They walk, they bike, they skateboard – I even had a lady pass me today on inline skates, fishing pole in hand. I walk every day of the week. Eight miles a day, Monday through Friday, and on the weekend my husband, Marshall, and our children (Adele, 9, Tres,7, Wells, 5) join us on their bikes for a six-mile route on Saturday and a four-mile route on Sunday. I can count on two hands the number of days in a year I miss my walk if I am in town.
I have friends who meditate, I have friends who medicate. I walk – probably about 10,000 miles in the last four years since we bought our house on the river in King William.
For me the walk never gets old. It is endlessly fascinating to watch the steady march of change happening in this part of our city. I watch roads improve, bridges get built, houses get remodeled, apartment buildings go up, trees get planted, etc. I love my hello waves to the San Antonio River Authority folks, Mike Casey‘s mom on her porch, and all the people I see on a daily basis. I wait for the whistling ducks to come back in the spring, the Egyptian geese to appear in ever-increasing numbers, the Yellow-crowned Night-Herons to return, the ubiquitous diamondback water snakes, the occasional cottonmouth after a particularly heavy rain, and one time each – a nutria, a fox and a turkey.
With every passing week, it feels like I see more animals, more people, more cyclists. All this life happening on the river is proof that the significant investment our city, our county, our state and even our federal government made in the San Antonio River Improvement Project was well worth the cost. But with this increased traffic of life there have to be some protocols in place so that all of us can safely coexist. For me, one worrisome way in which this is not happening is the lack of announcement by cyclists, either with their voice or with a bell, when passing pedestrians.
It happens to me every day almost without exception. I am walking along and all of a sudden – and yes, it feels all of a sudden – a cyclist comes into my peripheral view, parallel to me, close enough to touch, having made no sound. It scares me. It makes my adrenaline surge. Every. Time.
I need to make this clear to cyclists who might not understand this otherwise: We can’t hear you approaching. Someone, no doubt, could explain the physics of this to me, but until you are too close for me to do anything other than have you whiz past me, I cannot hear you.
I understand that cyclists are not trying to be dangerous. They see the pedestrian the whole time, from a long distance away. It is easy to think that you have the situation in hand and that there isn’t a need to announce yourself. But let’s say there is a rock, a snake, a baby field mouse, cormorant leavings, dog leavings, a stink beetle, a puddle – any of these things in front of me. Let’s say I have to move a foot or two to my left to avoid something. If you are silently riding behind me and you have not announced yourself, you can guess what will happen as I move left and you keep coming.
Just recently, I read an article about a woman who was walking in Central Park. She was hit by a cyclist on a path. The force of the collision threw her to the ground and the ensuing head injury, after a few days in a coma, proved fatal. Reading that story made me realize how lucky we are that this hasn’t happened here and how much we need to raise awareness of this issue.
Cyclists, please announce yourselves. I love those of you who do. “On your left!” you call. “Ding-ding” goes your bell. My favorite, “On your left, there are four more behind me,” such lovely specificity. And yes, we can hear you, even though we have headphones on and music playing. I can’t tell you how often I hear this argument, “you are listening to your music, you don’t hear me anyhow.” Yes, I do. You know how Bose makes those absurdly priced “noise-canceling” headphones that don’t actually cancel out all the noise? It’s because you still hear noise with headphones on. I hear your bell and I hear your voice over my Spotify playlist of the week.
Another argument I hear is that pedestrians don’t stay to the right, or they walk side-by-side, or they meander in the middle of the path. I see it, I understand, I know it’s poor pedestrian etiquette. Pedestrians need to stay right, tight right. But the average non-cyclist adult on a multi-speed bike will maybe average 9-12 mph at an easy pace, and the speeds go up from there. With my speedy-ish 14-minute miles I’m going about four mph.
As a cyclist, the reality simply is that you’re on a metal object going much faster than pedestrians, so you need to be cognizant of what’s happening in front of you. In my 10,000 miles of experience I would say roughly 20% of the cyclists passing me announce themselves, 80% do not. I count them on my hands as a diversion. On the river in front of Big Tex is a sign from the San Antonio River Authority that reads, “Bicycles – use voice or bell when passing.” It is the only one of its kind that I have ever seen.
We are living on borrowed time. It is not a matter of if a terrible accident will happen, but when. I will leave the arguments about path width, cycling speed, and cycle types to others. I ask only for cyclists to please, please, please use your voice or bell when passing. It takes only a moment and it could save a life. This is easy stuff, folks. We all love the river, we all want to use it. Please just let me know that you’re coming up behind me.
*Featured/top image: Cyclists ride on the Eagleland Reach. For the record, these particular cyclists are quite courteous to pedestrians. Photo by Steve Wood.
Related Stories:
Sharing the San Antonio River A Growing Problem
Síclovía No. 7 Turns East to Dignowity Park
Riding Bikes to the Quarry: A Slightly Treacherous Adventure
Kayaking in King William and Along the Mission Reach
In Speech and Play, a City Reclaims the San Antonio River’s Mission Reach
Great article! Thanks for getting the word out. We all need to do our part and be considerate to others. I don’t blame newcomers – pedestrians and cyclists alike have no idea there are rules or conventions because there isn’t any signage and this city isn’t used to hike bike trails. Having one and only one sign right at a difficult to navigate corner means that cyclists don’t even get a chance to read it. Signage seems like the lacking factor that could help turn things around.
As I’ve said before, walkers and runners have an obligation too. There have been many times I use my bell or voice and pedestrians can’t hear me since they’re blasting music in both ears. At least only have 1 earbud in so you can hear traffic. This goes for cyclist too.
Josie makes a good point, though – the cyclist, with greater speed and potential to cause injury with the bicycle, probably has the greater duty of care in those situations.
Maybe if cyclists read a sign there would be less problems. When it says “Walk Your Bike” don’t pretend you don’t see it. Get off your bike!!!!
Aren’t streets made for things with wheels?
Making people walk their bike down a tiny hill is pointless on a bike path, if thats their intention. The mission reach is full of ups and down and I don’t see any get off your bike signs there…
They should just paint the signs with yellow caution and slow down signage
I’ve been suggesting for awhile that cautions nd warnings should be printed on the walkway itself, similar to the “only” and turn arrows we see on streets. Most cyclists an walkers spend time looking down. Cyclists moving at a higher speed may not notice signs that are over five feet high.
I love riding my bike, but it seems no one likes us on roads or jogging paths . If I ride on paths I call out right or left to let people know I’m coming up on them. If I ride on shoulder of road I signal with my middle finger for those motorists who don’t like us on road.
Very well written article…thank you for helping to educate multi-use path users of proper trail use etiquette. These paths are relatively new to most users in SA, and there’s a learning curve that the majority has yet to get over. Thanks for tactfully calling out the inappropriate behavior of cyclists & peds alike. As a cyclist, I have always put myself in the place of the ped, and try to do all I can not to alarm them as I whizz by, which is typically calling “on your left” in advance of my passing. It’s really not that difficult to extend a some common courtesy to other pathway users, but it takes some effort on everyone’s part to understand the rules of the game & to do the right thing.
I love walking, jogging, and riding my bike on the Mission Reach. And I love what it has done for our city.
What I don’t understand is how the sidewalks are SO narrow. If there is someone walking south, a couple walking north, and a cyclist coming from the north, there’s simply not enough room – no matter if everyone is following “proper etiquette.”
*As we grow into a more walking-biking loving community, there will be learning curves as to what proper etiquette is.
yield to pedestrians means cyclists have the responsibility to pass pedestrians safely, even if the pedestrian does something unpredictable or doesn’t step out of the way.
Haha Angela Maria
We don’t need to re-create The Handbook. Hundreds of cities before San Antonio have had this worked out for decades. Why don’t we follow other’s example before just jumping in with construction?
If you want cyclist to slow down, tell them to take off their helmets. I am hearing similar problems in Australia where they have a mandatory helmet law on similar paths.
I’m not sure how a helmet hampers a bike rider on a trail. Introducing a safety hazard by not wearing helmets is not a good idea when there are other solutions available. Helmets protect during many crazy accidents that are not speed related. I think we need to be positive for all when proposing solutions.
There are many safety-conscious cyclists out there. As in everything, there are always a few that give the rest a bad name…..walkers as well as cyclists.
I agree… I love walking but it seems like cyclists feel like they alone own the path… no communication and well no understanding of which side is theirs or ours…. but then again.. I have my ear phones on full blast and I try not to be into the song and accidently swing my arms out and knock a fella down….LOL…its not funny..but I feel we should all be mindful….if we walkers have to stop our flow of walking..cyclist should slow down and not assume every one knows rules of sharing…
Cannot agree more. And there have been significant accidents.. Ask the volunteers on Leon Creek trail about ” collarbone pass ” . Worse than one might assume — two “boy racers” collided head on and one’s collarbone ended up impaling the other rider. I ride all the trails and have a bell and still announce “on your left”.
15 mph is too fast for the greenway trails. Want to train for the “tour” , get on the road.
i also slow way down when I see children ahead. I cannot imagine what reaction a father would have (and do to me!!) if I injued his child. And I would deserve it.
If we cyclists do not behave as adults we will, with justification, be banned from the trails.
I’m a cyclist myself from NYC and I think that cyclists here need to be more aware of biking etiquette.
Eight miles per day?! You’re my inspiration. I need to get back out there.
And yes, same issues. But I must also throw out that there are hearing impaired people walking. While they will be cautious knowing their limitations, don’t assume because you called or rang your bell they know you’re there. Just like in driving, always assume the other person hasn’t seen you and proceed with caution. The Mission Reach is for recreation for everyone, it’s not a race track.
I love to cycle, and I love to walk. It’s for all. (And as much as I love the new parts, sometimes I miss the old bits)
This is similar to the situation with Síclovia. People in San Antonio seem to be new to the concept of sharing the path — after all, this is all new territory for S.A. — and really don’t understand etiquette: pedestrians stay to the right, bicyclists need to warn pedestrians, etc.
Oh, and yes. I use my bell when passing pedestrians on my bike. And if they don’t respond, it’s a loud “On your left!” But you’d be surprised how many pedestrians don’t even notice a good loud shout…
I ride both Tobin park and the mission trials. Yes, I agree that an effort needs to be made to educate the Peds and the cyclists. I’ve seen Peds taking up the whole sidewalk but promptly move aside when I ring my bell far in advance. However, it’s odd to see a bicyclist wearing all this fancy gear and on expensive rides wiz by without a single peep or ring of a bell. Come on you posers. If you’re going to dress the part, then act as if you know what you’re doing. It’s only beneficial if we all work together.
Unfortunately, there are a lot of mid-life crisis gentlemen that are trying to recapture their youth by “training” on the recently restored river path (you will notice them in full cycling regalia from helmet to clip on shoes). This path is not designed for training purposes but for casual recreational purposes.
A few months ago a friend of ours, an avid runner, was hit by one of these “Cyclists” and had to be taken to the emergency room with a concussion and badly scraped legs.
Fine, insightful, thoughtful piece. I especially enjoyed Josie’s descriptions of the natural world along the Mission Reach. It is my opinion that speed racers on road bikes and trail hogs on mountain bikes should duke it out with other mechanized vehicular traffic on the blacktop streets of South Town. Many road bikes powered by lycra-clad combatants move at the same velocity as motorcycles, and can indeed become death projectiles when ridden wantonly among distracted pedestrians. Skinny road bike tires grip better on asphalt than concrete anyway, and knobby mountain bike tires were designed for the dirt, rocks, and detritus of trails, not sidewalks. The mix of fast moving bikes and leisurely strolling pedestrians (Josie excluded) will eventually result in injury or death, which undoes a lot of the good will and healthfulness engendered by this fine urban and riparian renewal project.
On your left, is confusing for peds and runners (if they hear you). I yell “Passing on your Left”, or use the bell. I think communication solves the issue. I have biked/photographed this trail from beginning stages till now and it can get tight, when there is a festival. event or weekend. They should be wider. But get a few miles away from Blue Star, and there is plenty of room and miles to share. Timing is the key. Sometimes ill stay on Presa or use streets to get past Mitchell, then hop on the trail. But I agree lack of exposure to biking culture, is an issue for some, but if you do it nicely one time, that person/group will remember how to let a bike pass safely. Small kids will always dart in front of you, so its something you should always anticipate. Roadies do make too much of a speed show of the whole thing. B cyclists move slow and wonky, and just like any activity involving humans, there is always an asshole, who has no consideration. All my bikes love the trails. I just choose the right time, bike and route. Thank you also for using my photo! Share the Road.
As a bike rider, it is true that you think you have the situation under control regarding walkers. It wasn’t until I walked the trail with my dog and gransdson did I understand what the bike riders coming up behind and passing you feels like. Even if they are not going fast, it feels that way to a walker and is scary at times.
To all bikers……consider taking a walk on your favorite trail and then you will understand. It is not difficult to “ring your bell” and call out “on your left” or “passing on your left” or passing on your left with two more behind me”. And consider slowing down. Most of the road bikes definitely go too fast on these walking/biking trails, in my opinion. If you want to go that fast, another place not so inhabited by walkers with kids and dogs who are unpredictable in their actions may be a better fit for you.
These paths are simply sidewalks and saying they are designed for bicyclists is total BS. Serious cyclists have no facilities built for them. Serious cyclists always get the shaft.