As an avid user of paved paths for both biking and dog walking, we’ve used the paths in many towns. I can say with certainty that the trail system in Summit County is exceptional, except when it comes to safety. Aspen, Basalt, Carbondale and Glenwood Springs have a limited number of paths, but they are way ahead of Summit County in promoting safety with their signage. Every so often the trail user sees a sign, either placed to the side of the path or painted on the path itself: “Cyclists must use audible signal when passing other trail users.” When I walk my dog on a paved trail in Summit County, very few bikers let me know they are approaching, whereas in Pitkin and Garfield counties, the great majority of bikers announce their presence before passing. This is obviously the result of the signage. Besides scaring the bajeebers out of me when someone flies by unannounced, it’s a safety issue. I guarantee that when walking my leashed dog if I took a step to the side to look at something or my dog decided that a smell had to be checked out at just the instant an unannounced biker flew by, that when the biker regained consciousness, they would be blaming me for having the audacity to use more than 6” at the side of the trail. Now that the weather is getting warmer, the amount of traffic on our paths will increase and now is the time to increase the safety of the terrific trail system we have in Summit County. Who will be the first municipality to take this important safety step? Get Frisco to be the first. Silverthorne, you’ve fought hard for your bike paths, maybe you could be the first to get signs.

Toby Morey, Silverthorne