Cyclists beware
Photo by JOSH MCDONALD Stop signs like these are located all along the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes. The trail crossings are not to be treated as crosswalks and require the cyclists to stop and wait for traffic to go by.
KELLOGG — A bicycle rider was injured Wednesday morning after an accident occurred on the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes.
The cyclist reportedly failed to stop at the at the Hill Street trail intersection and was hit by oncoming traffic.
The woman was transported to the hospital for treatment of minor to moderate injuries, but the whole accident may have been completely avoided had the bicyclist stopped where they were legally required to.
The Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes is one of the Silver Valley’s biggest draws especially in the summertime when the trail is used by tour groups, families, and even the mountain bikers coming off Silver Mountain.
But there are a few rules that many using the trail need to remember if they are to enjoy it safely.
According to the Kellogg Police Department, the crossings where the trail meets one of Shoshone County’s many roads are not treated the same as a regular crosswalk and do not have the same requirements for pedestrians or drivers.
“Those crossings are not under the same laws as crosswalks,” KPD Chief Dave Wuolle said. “They are to yield the right-of-way to the motor vehicles that are using the roads. Drivers are not required to stop for people waiting, but many do so as a courtesy.”
The accident Wednesday was a worst case scenario on a trail that doesn’t see its most important safety rule acknowledged very often, but this may be what gets people’s attention.
“There are signs at the trail intersection that say ‘stop,” Wuolle said. “Those are not suggestions, they need to abide by those signs. Those signs are there for everyone’s safety.”
Idaho State code was also able to backup Wuolle’s statements.
Idaho Code 49-702 states that “Pedestrians waiting to cross a roadway within a designated crosswalk have the right-of-way once a vehicle has safely come to a rest and allows the pedestrian to cross
And while that law covers regular pedestrians using designated crosswalks, the one that applies to the beloved trail is much different.”
Idaho Code 49-704 states that “Vehicles have the right-of-way if pedestrian is attempting to cross roadway outside of designated crosswalk. In the instance of the trail users, violating these stop signs can be result in possible citations and fines if law enforcement sees fit.”
The beautiful summer months means that more and more riders will be flocking to the area and Captain Jeremy Groves with the Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office advises that extra measures should be taken to be aware of drivers and riders alike.
“With the warm weather upon us, we see an increase in bicyclists and just like motorcyclists,” Groves said. “We strongly urge to use extra caution when around areas of the county where bicycle traffic is known to be increased.”