Curtis Lueck: Common sense, courtesy needed as we share The Loop

The Loop is our shared-use linear park that follows the banks of the major watercourses in the region. It is immensely popular with walkers, cyclists, runners and equestrians.

This popularity results in occasional user conflicts, as confirmed recently by a number of letters to the editor in the Star. As expected, the most frequent conflicts are between the two largest user groups: walkers and bicyclists. These conflicts occur mostly in the more congested and constricted areas along the Rillito and Santa Cruz River paths.

Several suggestions were presented in these letters, some serious and some capricious. One of the suggestions was to regulate bicyclists’ speed to 15 mph. This has been tried and abandoned in other communities for good reason. The most compelling reason is that there is no requirement for cyclists to have a speedometer, making speed enforcement impossible.

Frankly, the main reason for user conflicts of any type on The Loop is a lack of awareness and courtesy toward other users. Everyone needs to be attentive to their surroundings, use common sense, and follow the simple rules that apply to all path users. Guidelines are posted in many locations. If you’re not familiar with them, next time stop and read them or look for them online at www.pima.gov/nrpr. Most importantly, they establish a priority amongs user groups. Cyclists should yield to pedestrians, who should yield to equestrians.

For cyclists, this means control your speed and slow the heck down to avoid conflicts. The Loop is not a linear velodrome or a place to practice your pace line — it is a shared-use path with lots of obstructions and unexpected obstacles. Announce yourself politely prior to passing other cyclists or those on foot. By the way, it is OK even for the spandex crowd to mount a bell on your handlebars and a mirror on your helmet. Consider it a sign of respect for all those around you and use them liberally.

Back to homepage

Subscriber Login

Keep reading with a digital access subscription.

Subscribe now

For those on foot, it means keeping to the far right and don’t veer off course without checking to see if someone is approaching from behind. If you’re walking your pet, always use a shorter leash and don’t let your pet wander too far afield. And if a cyclist indicates to you that they are about to pass, please acknowledge their intent with a polite hand gesture or a simple thank you.

Regarding equestrians, I recommend that all path users slow down or even stop completely when equestrians are nearby. Horses are beautiful animals, and they can spook very easily. Stop, say hello, and enjoy the moment.

The Loop continues to evolve and improve in response to user needs and varying interests. The narrower sections will be widened, better connections to neighborhoods are being built, and coordination with local attractions and businesses is expanding.

A Loop Advisory Committee was established to bring together representatives of multiple user groups, implementing agencies, and regional business interests to coordinate, foster and enhance the health, safety and economic benefits of The Loop as well as assisting the County with its plans and programs. The Loop’s implementing jurisdictions, including Pima County, city of Tucson, Marana, Oro Valley and South Tucson are to be congratulated for all their vision, planning, and funding creativity. We can all continue to appreciate this unique shared-use pathway system as it evolves and improves, but please do so safely and with courtesy to others. Enjoy!