Biker, jogger accident calls trail safety into question

Calgarians areagain questioning the safetyof the city's pathway system.

It follows apathway accidentThursday that left one woman with serious head injuries, and another with stitches.

The female cyclist collided with a female jogger, who was running with a partner, on a trail near 17th Avenue and Deerfoot Trail S.E., near the Bow Waters Canoe Club.

The cyclist was riding down a hill on a pathway when she collided with a jogger who was running up the hill with a friend.

Stuart Brideaux, an EMS spokesman, says both women were sent to hospital.

But the cyclist, who was wearing a helmet, had more serious injuries.

"[She was] thrown from her bike after the collision and landed unfortunately on some of the surface rocks that line the canal."

The speed limit on the pathway is 20 kilometres per hour.

Jogger Susan Lilholt says she likes to run through quiet, residential neighborhoods. She stays away from Calgary's pathways.

"I'm focusing on my running, so I don't want to have to be worrying about cyclists," says Lilholt.

"I try to stick to the quieter routes."

All of the Calgary cyclists and runners that CBC spoke with Friday say the same thing.

"You have to be really aware. You can't expect people will watch for you, you have to watch for yourself," says Lida Goldchteime.

"Stay to the right, don't wander off into the middle of the path where people will be trying to pass and get by," says Myrene Hayes.

Most agree that the pathways are safe, but only when everyone is paying attention.