Who would pay? Also point to Boston and back is 40 miles. I couldn't see most teenagers riding 80-120 miles a day 5x a week for a summer.
More likely to be successful is getting some older folks (retired, etc) to volunteer, don a vest and cycle up and down the paths, a la the state farm help van on the Pgh highways.
edronline
2016-07-06 06:06:18
It sounds like a great idea, but I'd like to see something more city focused rather than focused on the GAP. Sweeping up glass and cutting weeds in summer, then plowing snow in winter. It should include the bridge sidewalks too.
marko82
2016-07-06 08:04:10
For sponsorship of such a program, talk to AAA...since their membership service now included bicycle breakdown, this might be a nice way for them to have a low-key, low-budget equivalent to the State Farm trucks on the highway.
reddan
2016-07-06 08:16:13
How about just adding more signage?
Maybe a cheap map kiosk (or just a corrugated plastic sign on a post)
benzo
2016-07-06 09:29:42
The Montour Trail has volunteers who do this. From their November 2007 newsletter:
In 1998 the Montour Trail Council decided to start an organized group of civilian volunteer “Trail Monitor Patrols”. The purpose of this group was to assist trail users in case of emergencies as well as non-emergencies. This group is still active today but our numbers are dwindling. Many of our patrols are no longer active in the program. Some of our patrols have moved away and some are no longer as physically active as they once were, so we need some new recruits.
What does a Trail Monitor Patrol do?
Trail Monitor Patrols are encouraged to carry cell phones and maintain current CPR certification. They carry gate keys which enables them to open gates in advance of the arrival of emergency vehicles. In the event of an emergency like cardiac arrest a few seconds could be the difference between life and death.
Law enforcement on the Montour Trail is the responsibility of the local police. In many areas the police patrol the trail on bikes but they can’t be everywhere. So another important function of our patrols is surveillance of the trail. Our “Trail Monitor Patrols” are in fact, eyes and ears for law enforcement.
Our Trail Monitor Patrols also functions as ambassadors’ for the Montour Trail Council, they are a friendly face greeting people and offering directions when needed.
As the Director of Trail Security I can tell you that since 1998 we have had very few incidents. We believe that one of the reasons we have had little trouble on the trail is because of the presence of our patrols....
steven
2016-07-06 21:15:17
