[IndianaTrails] Carmel ready to enforce Monon speed limit

Tue May 23 07:15:23 PDT 2006

Well said, Bob.  This is a big problem with the Indy Greenways system.  For
years I have developed techniques for avoiding police and park rangers
during my early morning and especially late evening commutes through Indy.
Over the years, I've learned where the rangers and police usually hang out,
and I have to get off the trails onto busy streets to avoid getting scolded
or ticketed.  When I stop to think about it, it's downright absurd.  With my
helmet, lights, fenders, bags, and friendly smile, how could I be a danger
to anyone?  How do Chicago and most other cities leave their trails open
24-7?  If Chicago can make it work, why can't we?  Indy's focus on the
greenways as a recreational amenity rather than  transportation corridors is
a very slippery slope, and a dangerous one at that.  It's short sighted and
it doesn't follow logically with the newly launched initiatives to link
trails and to encourage bicycle commuting.  With all of the effort going
into Bikeport, the Governor's Council on Trails, Indiana Bike-to-Work Day,
BikeIN, etc. this is an overtly bad, outdated policy that goes against the
pro-bicycle rhetoric that's been in the news lately.  I've heard the
lawyer-speak from those in charge as to why the policy stands, but I just
don't buy it.  I hope someone on this list can speak to the fact that this
policy will be reviewed and changed soon.  It goes against all of the
current efforts to make Indy more bicycle friendly.  Thanks for bringing
this to the forefront of the discussion.

Cheers,
Jonathan Juillerat

International Mountain Bike Association
Central Indiana Representative

Hoosier Mountain Bike Association
Advocacy Director

Indiana Bicycle Coalition
At-Large Director

Indiana Department of Natural Resources
Trails Advisory Board - Mountain Bike Representative

jjuillerat at indy.rr.com
(317) 513-3017

-----Original Message-----
From: list-bounces at indianatrails.org [mailto:list-bounces at indianatrails.org]
On Behalf Of Robert J. Matter
Sent: Tuesday, May 23, 2006 9:49 AM
To: Indiana Trails; C4
Subject: [IndianaTrails] Carmel ready to enforce Monon speed limit

I am very disturbed by the passage "South of Carmel in September, a car 
struck and killed a woman at an intersection while riding the trail at 
night, when it is officially closed." MUPs are public throughways and 
should never have a "closing time".

To have a closing time implies that the trail is a recreational facility 
to only be used in daylight. People work all kinds of hours and need to 
travel at all hours for all kinds of reasons. Those traveling under 
human power should expect the same level of service provided to 
motorists. Trails should be well lit for 24-hour access, patroled by 
police, plowed, salted, and swept. A trail is simply a carfree street, 
albeit human scale.

-Bob Matter
Hammond, IN

http://www.wthr.com/Global/story.asp?S=4934228&nav=9Tai

Carmel ready to enforce Monon speed limit

May 22, 2006 03:11 PM

Chris Proffitt/Eyewitness News

Carmel - Bicyclists will soon have to gear down on the Monon Trail 
thanks to new speed limits. The limits will be enforced once new signs 
go up along the Monon in Carmel.

For many of the two million users last year of the Monon Trail, the 
five-mile stretch through Carmel won't change. But speeding through it 
has. Carmel is putting up speed limits of 15 to 20 mph, hoping that 
slowing down mostly hard-charging bicyclists will make the popular trail 
safer.

City Councilman Ron Carter proposed the speed limits in January. "As 
it's gotten more popular, we need to make sure everybody can enjoy it," 
he said.

Police officers regularly patrol the trail through Carmel and could now 
use handheld radar to hand out $50 fines to speeders.

"At this point, we won't be issuing tickets or enforcement actions but 
more of a public awareness and making sure people understand what the 
signs mean and how they can safely use the trail," said Lt. Jeff Horner, 
Carmel Police Department.

At least two people reported injuries along Carmel's portion of the 
Monon after being hit by bikes. South of Carmel in September, a car 
struck and killed a woman at an intersection while riding the trail at 
night, when it is officially closed. Most people say speed limits should 
make the Monon safer.

"I think it's a good idea for safety's sake, especially for kids," said 
Vegas Coleman, cyclist.

"You have parents that come with kids in strollers, so on the mothers' 
side I'd say put a speed limit there," said Lorrie Coleman, another cyclist.

While police say they hope they won't be forced to fine Monon speeders, 
the speed limit signs already seem to have an impact.

"This weekend we were on the Monon and I thought they were doing quite 
well. Very limited. Not too many people go that fast," said Art and Ruth 
Klein, walkers along the Monon.

Now the law says they can't speed, at least in Carmel, and we're about 
to discover whether speed limits on the Monon sound good or actually work.

For cyclists who want to keep track of speed, a bicycle speedometer will 
set you back roughly $40.

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