Bikes club urges walkers to ‘take your ear buds out’

Signs urging walkers to “free your ears” are part of a new campaign by the Cascade Bicycle Club to improve safety on local tails (Image courtesy the Cascade Bicycle Club)

On busy summer days the Burke-Gilman trail can get pretty
crowded. Tensions mount between walkers and riders
competing for space on the popular path. Angry bikers
yell and ring their bells, often unheard by walkers
listening to their music. The Cascade Bicycle Club is
launching a new campaign to help keep the peace.

The effort features a series of signs along popular trails
like the Burke-Gilman, sporting slogans such as “can you
hear the birds singing?” and “free your ears”.

“Rather than continuing the downward spiral of anger and
disrespect, our hope is that we work toward recognizing
and respecting each other as humans and fellow trail
users,” writes MJ Kelly in a post announcing the campaign
on the club’s blog.

Not everyone is on board. The campaign is sparking some
familiar animosity between pedestrians and riders.

“I’m sorry to say it galls me to see your bike club post
signs that say I shouldn’t be able to listen to music
while I walk. Really? Why do bikers think it’s my job to
be aware of them as they whiz by coming up behind me at
10-30 mph? They often come within inches of me with no
warning,” posted a user identified as Rjd on the bike
club’s blog.

The bike club says the signs are just one part of a larger
effort to increase safety and make the trails friendlier
for all.

“It’s ALL our jobs to watch out and be mindful of each
other’s safety on the trail, dog walkers, runners, people
on bikes. Many folks out there are doing a great job at
being courteous. Others, not so much.”

The Cascade Bicycle Club will have bike ambassadors
stationed at popular spots around the Puget Sound region
throughout the weekend.