Growing number of speeding cyclists on trails

The front-page story on Jan. 6 about the equestrian being thrown from her spooked horse was a sad indictment of the few cyclists who continue to ride with disregard to speed limits when passing other road users such as hikers, dog walkers and horses (“Novato equestrian, 73, hospitalized after cyclists spook horse,” Jan. 9).

My own observations, in the 25 years of hiking in the open space in Terra Linda, with my dogs and friends, is that most cyclists are courteous, respectful and slow down when they encounter people and dogs. But over the years there seem to be more cyclists on the fire roads who do not respect speed limits.

Numerous hikers I have spoken with have made similar observations, have stopped hiking on the 680 trail at the top of the Freitas Parkway, or keep their dogs on leash for their own safety and that of their dogs. My neighbor fell off the 680 trail and into poison oak, later to be treated in the hospital, because of the narrow trail and speeding cyclists. Another equestrian who I spoke with a few weeks ago, a native of Marinwood, said she also stopped riding her horse on the fire road along the Terra LindaSleepy Hollow divide. I try to avoid weekends and mostly hike on the weekdays and have altered my hike to roads less travelled by the cyclists.

The only solution I can think of is to put up more signage, reminding cyclists to slow down when approaching people, dogs and horses. I hope it does not take a child being rushed to the emergency room or maybe a head-on collision of likeminded cyclists to cause these few reckless cyclists to be more respectful of others.

— Mark Noguchi, Terra Linda