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Safety workshop helps Monon Trail users avoid crime, injuries

INDIANAPOLIS – The warmer weather and clear skies gave runners and bicyclists freedom to enjoy the outdoors Tuesday, but before folks hit the Monon Trail again, IMPD wants to make sure they know how to stay safe.

Whether it’s walking, running or riding, people have their preference on how to use the trail.

“I got off work early so I’m taking Mr. Apollo here for a walk down the trail,” Tony Fleming said as he looked down at his dog.

But do they all know how to use the trail properly?

That’s what City County Councillor Colleen Fanning wanted to make sure of when she coordinated a trail safety workshop with the help of IMPD and IndyCOG. Fanning represents District 2, which includes Broad Ripple and part of the Monon.

“An event like this just teaches us how to be really aware and use common sense tips; how to use the data to your advantage so that you can really avoid being a statistic,” she said.

“I don’t walk by myself; I try to walk with a partner,” said Broad Ripple resident Debbie Kirby, who attended the workshop.

While she gave good advice, the good news is odds of being a crime victim are low.

IMPD said in 2012, 2.8 million people used the Monon. They said five crimes were committed against people that year, which includes robberies, and 20 crimes were committed against property, which would include someone breaking into a vehicle.

“Probably the least safe thing about the trail is when you’re crossing the roadways,” IMPD Bike Patrol Officer John Wall told the crowd.

“A lot of people I don’t think realize who is supposed to yield to who,” Fleming said.

As a driver, it might feel natural to give trail users the right of way, but that’s wrong. Time and time again we watched as runners and bicyclists blew through the cross walk while drivers stopped.

But stop signs along the trail clearly state that it should be the other way around. Drivers are only supposed to yield if a pedestrian is already in the cross walk.

“If you’re a motorist and you see somebody standing there and waiting, I know you want to be kind and you want to be courteous and you want to stop and wave them through and stuff, but be mindful of the car possibly behind you that’s not expecting you to stop and they’re going to rear end you,” said Officer Wall.

There’s also the concern of getting hit by someone on two wheels. Wall suggested that bicyclists buy a light and a bell to warn people of their presence.

“We really are in charge of our own personal safety,” Fanning said.

Later in the year, Fanning plans to host workshops to help people protect their homes from burglaries and how shoppers can avoid being victimized during the holiday shopping season.