CAPE CORAL, Fla. – The new sun trail in Cape Coral is now open, but bikers and residents have some concerns about it.
Jeffery Cotter has a driveway going through the bike trail. He said he is afraid it is an accident waiting to happen.
“This bike trail is just its been more issues and hassles for everybody. We almost hit bikers all the time. They don’t warn us that they’re here. It’s just more pain and a hassle than it is anything,” Cotter said.
Some bikers who use the trail also agree it’s anything but ideal.
Jennifer Rose bikes on the trail. She says she hasn’t had any issues yet, but that could change any second.
“I’ve had people that don’t realize it’s a thru-way, and put their garbage cans on it or work trucks will park across it and that’s tough, it’s like would you not do that on the bike trail?” said Rose.
Jennifer Rose rides her bike across Cape Coral regularly.
She hasn’t had any issues, but she agrees that could always change.
This isn’t the only place bike accidents could happen.
The Florida Highway Patrol data shows there has already been over 2,840 crashes involving bikes reported this year.
71 of those have been fatal.
Michelle Avola, the executive director of the Naples Pathway Coalition, says a good way to protect yourself as a biker is to bike in the same direction of traffic and to wear bright clothing or a reflective vest.
“How are we supposed to know? I thought they were supposed to wear the colorful vests like hey warn me! Nope they don’t do that at all,” explained Cotter.
Remember to always keep an eye out for bikers when you’re driving and bikers be cautious of cars pulling out.