Red Deer is lucky to have an abundance of beautiful parks and trails over 110 km, enabling Red Deerians and visitors to enjoy the outdoors, with a multitude of recreational opportunities, from hiking to biking. While out on the trails, you do need to think about your safety, as well as others. Red Deer's Waskasoo Trails continue to get busier and busier.
A visitor to our Information Centre this summer told us a story about her family's experience near Bower Ponds while on a family picnic. Her grandchild was in the playground and ran across the trail to reach the picnic table. Unfortunately, it resulted in them have been hit by a bicycle rider going too fast to miss the child. Regrettably, their wonderful picnic ended up at the Red Deer Regional Hospital.
As a lot of the trails are multi-purpose, we want to remind everyone to slow down. Here are some safety tips while you are on the trails to keep everyone safe so we can continue to enjoy what our great city has to offer.
- Riders and passengers under 18 years of age must wear an approved, properly fitted helmet with a chinstrap.
- Front and rear lights are mandatory if you ride at dusk, night or in low-visibility conditions (rain, fog).
- Use proper hand signals to indicate turns and lane changes.
- Ride at a controlled speed, especially when going downhill or around a blind corner.
- Stop for stop signs, red lights, and always yield to pedestrians.
- Make sure you slow down when approaching curves, parks/playgrounds, or in areas with impaired visibility.
- Use your bell/horn when approaching intersections, corners or other trail users. Alert, don’t alarm.
- Keep to the right: always pass on the left.
- Ride predictably, in a straight line.
- Make sure your bike is in good working order (especially the brakes).
- Slow down; kids and animals are unpredictable, so you need to be alert.
For more information on cycling safety and maps of bike routes within the City of Red Deer, check out this link and make this biking season a safe one.
