Do 'Lance Armstrong Wannabes' Ruin the Minuteman Bike Path?

On Sunday afternoon, a bicyclist crashed into a pregnant woman on the Minuteman bike path behind Arlington High School knocking her to the ground.

After we posted an account of the crash Monday, a number of readers said they no longer feel safe on the bike path, as “Lance Armstrong wannabes” use it as a “Tour de France training ground” and as a “race track.”

A couple readers on our Facebook page said the bike path should be referred to as a “walking trail” or “recreational trail” to discourage these fast cyclists.

One reader suggested separate “strips” for runners and walkers, while a few pointed out that runners and walkers should also be cognizant of where they stop on the path.   

Do you feel unsafe or avoid the Minuteman bike path because of fast cyclists? What should be done? Let us know by posting a comment below.

A sample of the comments:

“Personally, I’m afraid to walk, ride or do anything else on a weekend on the bike path since that seems to be when most of the kamikazes are out. I also avoid the mornings and evenings when they speed race to and from work … It’s too bad that the bike path is no longer the family friendly area that it was intended to be and has in fact turned into the ‘Tour de France’ training ground,” Joan Amon commented.

“Bikers … They all think they are on the Tour de France … they fly by walkers and moms with baby carriages. They shouldn’t call it the bike trail … rather a walking trail,” Dennis Reddington commented.

“Lots of ‘Lance Armstrong wannabes’ out there who have no regard for others using the path,” Peter Lang commented.

“Wouldn’t take my [10-year-old] walking or biking there. [It’s] not worth the risk or frustration,” Judy Anderson commented.

“I don’t bike. But since every other ‘path’ is designated for cars or pedestrians, maybe the ‘bike’ path should be just for bikes … maybe the official Bike Path can designate a strip for runners, and a strip for walkers. (Not that the walkers will stay in their designated lane, but one lives in hope.),” inthegloaming commented.

“Alternate viewpoint here – I was riding near Russell Field at a very leisurely pace … A jogger wearing headphones apparently decided her run was over and did a U-turn without looking. If I hadn’t swerved in the nick of time, we’d have both gone down. So please don’t assume all cyclists are reckless or that all stupid moves on the path are made by cyclists,” Tina Casteris.