Trails

[dtkvictim]

I finally rode my ass all the way from galt to Waterloo today and numerous WRPS SUVs were driving on the iron horse and forcing everyone out of the way. Is this a normal occurrence on an insanely busy trail?

I've never seen that before. I can only imagine they were responding to something specifically on the trail?

The city does use full sized pickups on the trails though, presumably for maintenance and trash collection, which is quite annoying when you come across them.

[tomh009]

I finally rode my ass all the way from galt to Waterloo today and numerous WRPS SUVs were driving on the iron horse and forcing everyone out of the way. Is this a normal occurrence on an insanely busy trail?

I've never seen that before. I can only imagine they were responding to something specifically on the trail?

The city does use full sized pickups on the trails though, presumably for maintenance and trash collection, which is quite annoying when you come across them.

I haven't seen WRPS, either, and I'm usually on the IHT a few times a day.

The maintenance vehicles are there usually in the early mornings and they at least drive slow (and slower when there are pedestrians).

[bravado]

All I know is that if I had a city planning genie, I would wish that every single councillor and mayor in the region rode a bike on the IHT during a sunny labour day. It was perfection, crowded and yet happy, and was likely moving more people per hour than most "busy" roads in the region at a fraction of the cost.

And then a police SUV drove across the bridge just north of the victoria park and kids had to get out of the way...

[dtkvictim]

The maintenance vehicles are there usually in the early mornings and they at least drive slow (and slower when there are pedestrians).

Yeah I've come across them during morning "rush hour" on the trail, which isn't ideal timing. They are always slow and respectful, but at some points you have to dismount (if biking) and step off the trail for them to pass. I imagine they use the same vehicles for plowing in the winter and use them all year to save costs and simplify operations. Maybe pickups are just the best suited vehicles available in our market for whatever work they are doing, not sure.

All I know is that if I had a city planning genie, I would wish that every single councillor and mayor in the region rode a bike on the IHT during a sunny labour day. It was perfection, crowded and yet happy, and was likely moving more people per hour than most "busy" roads in the region at a fraction of the cost.

And then a police SUV drove across the bridge just north of the victoria park and kids had to get out of the way...

Maybe city council should pass a bylaw banning crime during nice weather and holidays?

But seriously, I doubt the police decided to go for a leisure drive through the park. If a police response was required in that area (and I've spent enough time in that area to know that it definitely happens) I'm not sure what the problem is. I would rather deal with a police SUV on the trail than deal with some of the things I've seen or experienced in the area. I think it's a little backwards if your day is ruined by seeing the police, and not whatever issue called for them.

[bravado]

I didn't say my day was ruined - I just don't like 4000lb+ vehicles in spaces where they aren't designed. I don't think it's an "ACAB" take when I don't want big SUVs near unpredictable kids with training wheels.

It's tone-deaf at best and dangerous at worst - like that poor guy who got run over by a cop when sleeping in a park in toronto. Can they walk? Don't they have bikes? Do cops ever leave their cars in 2025?

[dtkvictim]

I didn't say my day was ruined - I just don't like 4000lb+ vehicles in spaces where they aren't designed. I don't think it's an "ACAB" take when I don't want big SUVs near unpredictable kids with training wheels.

It's tone-deaf at best and dangerous at worst - like that poor guy who got run over by a cop when sleeping in a park in toronto. Can they walk? Don't they have bikes? Do cops ever leave their cars in 2025?

Should paramedics get out of their ambulance and walk a stretcher and medical equipment to someone needing assistance on the trail? You have a chance to be consistent here and say yes, but I think that would be an absurdist position to take. Rather you are suggesting that there isn't a single situation with suitable urgency for a police vehicle to be driving on the trails, despite that fact that police may at times be better positioned to serve the same purpose as an ambulance (such as quickly administering naloxone).

I've posted my position before that I would prefer to have more police out of their vehicles and out on foot and bike, especially in the downtown area which could include the park and trail network. But I take that position for reasons like building relationships with the community, increased awareness, and possibly deterrence of crime through a more visible and personal presence. I don't take that position because I think it would improve response times. Somehow I feel like a permanent police presence in Victoria Park, which would probably be required to be faster than a police cruiser, wouldn't fly amongst this community either (I wouldn't personally want that).

[creative]

I have a friend who is a police officer that patrols the downtown core which also includes part of the iron horse trail. On occasion they will walk and ride bikes. The biggest problem with that is if they get a call to respond to the other end of their area. By the time they arrive on foot or by bike the individual or persons involves are often long gone.

[tomh009]

The maintenance vehicles are there usually in the early mornings and they at least drive slow (and slower when there are pedestrians).

Yeah I've come across them during morning "rush hour" on the trail, which isn't ideal timing. They are always slow and respectful, but at some points you have to dismount (if biking) and step off the trail for them to pass. I imagine they use the same vehicles for plowing in the winter and use them all year to save costs and simplify operations. Maybe pickups are just the best suited vehicles available in our market for whatever work they are doing, not sure.

I have seen them many times stopping to empty the various garbage containers along the trail, so this is at least one of the reasons they are on the trail. And the garbage bins realistically do need a pickup truck (or van) for transportation.

[danbrotherston]

Ugh...I don't want to participate in this conversation due to the animosity from some members here.

But since I'm very curious, I really must ask. Bravado...were the police running sirens? If they weren't then IMO they absolutely should not be on the trail.

[bravado]

Ha unfortunately not, sirens and lights would have broken the tranquility of a nice summer holiday trail.

There actually was a crazy person yelling at people - but it was 1km in the opposite direction of the SUVs at the crossing with Union.

[Acitta]

Schneider Creek trail another step closer to construction

Construction is expected to begin next year on the Kitchener’s Schneider Creek multi-use trail.

The Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee is set to receive an update on the status of the trail Thursday, which has reached the property acquisition and detailed design stage, a prelude to construction.

The 1.3-kilometre asphalt route, between Manitou Drive and Block Line Road, will include a pedestrian/cycling bridge over the creek, rest stops and an at-grade railway crossing before joining with the existing Trans Canada Trail.