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Trail and error along Bayshore

Knowing the rules of Linear Park allows those on foot, balancing on two wheels or inline skates to peacefully coexist with a minimum of accidents and complaints.

By RICK GERSHMAN
Published July 7, 2006

BAYSHORE BOULEVARD - When she rolls up her pant leg, the scar isn't quite as conspicuous as Trina Koch made it out to be.

It's long, sure. But it's thin and light, and it runs along the edge of her shin, mirroring the protrusion of her tibia with a nice symmetry.

Almost a year ago, Koch rode her bicycle along Bayshore Boulevard Linear Park, the 4.5-mile sidewalk that stretches along Old Tampa Bay south of downtown.

She was attempting to pass an inline skater, a young woman who suddenly stopped, turned and stepped left, right into the bicycle's path.

Koch swerved off the sidewalk, crashing in the grass. She cut open her shin on her own bike.

Not a banner day for the physical therapist, who lives in Seminole Heights. Even her bike was traumatized, requiring more than $200 in repairs.

"People need to be aware of what's going on around them," said Koch, 29. "If we collided, it could have been so much worse."

Koch has had a couple of other run-ins and near-misses over the three years she's exercised on Bayshore, and she can count at least a dozen friends who have suffered through the same.

On average, hundreds of people use the sidewalk, a city park and an official city trail, every day. That's generally not an issue when the users - joggers, cyclists, skaters, dog walkers and others - are spread out across its expanse.

But the world's longest continuous waterfront sidewalk is no more than 10 feet across at its widest. And when people don't know the rules, things can get violent.

Ask Nestor Avidal, a mild-mannered accountant by day and a triathlete by night, who has been tripped up by retractable dog leashes that unfortunately were not retracted.

It happened three times.

In a three-month stretch.

And that's not cool.

"The scab was about healed, would have fallen off in a week, 10 days maybe," said Avidal, 22, showing off his gnarly, rescabbed left forearm.

That's when the third incident occurred: Avidal, jogging on Bayshore near the Bay to Bay Boulevard intersection, passing a purebred Jack Russell and its possessor with perfectly proper procedure. (Pity it wasn't a poodle.)

The dog zipped in front of Avidal, "and I already had my hands out," he said, "because I knew what was coming next."

The Palma Ceia resident was another victim of a Bayshore user who didn't know the rules: Though the leash might have been within the 6-foot limit required by trail regulations, people also are expected to remain aware of others around them.

Instead of keeping the Jack Russell on a short leash, his owner was letting the dog wander all over the sidewalk, Avidal said.

The city's Parks and Recreation Department lists trail etiquette rules on its Web site.

They are not yet posted along the sidewalk itself. However, parks officials plan to add a couple of signs in discreet locations, said Mary Helen Duke, the city's Greenways and Trails coordinator.

"We're trying to choose the most appropriate location for that," she said. "We don't want sign proliferation along Bayshore."

Most Bayshore sidewalk users are able to enjoy its benefits without any problems, Duke said. She almost never hears complaints. But knowing trail etiquette is key to peaceful coexistence, she said.

"We have to build an environment that's good for everyone, not just one or the other," she said.

To do that, people who are on the sidewalk are expected to keep moving. And fishing generally is not allowed, except in designated spots such as Tony Jannus Park across from Platt Street.

In June 2005, the City Council decided to maintain a ban on fishing elsewhere along the sidewalk.

Ultimately, safety on Tampa's waterfront jewel is everyone's business. And when things go wrong, who's at fault isn't always clear.

For example, trail etiquette requires that cyclists make some audible signal, such as sounding a bell or calling out, when passing another user.

Asked if she did so when she passed the skater, Koch - she of the hairline scar - acknowledged she didn't.

"But I don't know anyone who does that," she said.

But would she do it to avoid another spill?

"If that's what it takes," she said, "I'll might try it. ... But you know, I bet you it will scare people more than anything else. And they'll jump 'out of the way.' And right into me."

Rick Gershman can be reached at rgershman@sptimes.com or 226-3431.

CODES OF THE COURSE

Bayshore Boulevard Linear Park is considered a city of Tampa trail. As such, users are expected to follow trail etiquette. The full list can be found on the Internet at tampagov.net/dept_parks/trails/etiquette.asp, but here are some critical points:

* Travel on the right, pass on the left and never block the trail. All users must keep to the right except when passing or turning left.

* Pedestrians must move to the right when someone is passing. If you need to stop, move off the path.

* Pedestrians always have the rightofway. Cyclists and inline skaters must yield to them.

* Users on wheels, such as skaters or cyclists, should always give an audible warning before passing. Cyclists should sound a bell or call out a warning when approaching from behind, then pass carefully on the left.

* Pets must be on a leash that does not exceed 6 feet, and owners must clean up after them.

* Group users must allow ample room for others to pass. Users should always look ahead and behind before passing.

* Cyclists must yield to through traffic at intersections. Helmets are required for cyclists under 16 and recommended for all cyclists and skaters.

* Motorized vehicles, including motorcycles or pocket bikes miniature motorcycles are not allowed. Electric wheelchairs, however, are allowed.

Source: Tampa Parks and Recreation Department

[Last modified July 6, 2006, 12:17:54]