The aftershock of Velda Mapelli’s death has not lessened for those of us who frequent the Cedar River Trail. The planted azalea and white cross are not the only things that serve as a reminder of her tragic death. Every speeding bicyclist that fails to even acknowledge a pedestrian is a reminder and a warning that the problem of safety on the trail is something that has to be dealt with quickly.

Last Friday I was running with my dog along the trail – something I do nearly every day – and, as usual, ran along the very edge of the pavement, leaving plenty of room for anyone who would pass. I slowed to a near stop to signal to my dog that we were going to turn around and head back. I took one step toward my right when, WHOOOSH!, a bicyclist raced past and nearly hit me! I felt the wind against me and I realized that I had just come very close to a terrible accident. I yelled after him, “Hey, how about an ‘on your left’ ?” He just yelled back, “You should watch where you’re going.”

In all fairness, I must mention that bicyclers are not the only ones at fault. On Feb. 26 I was walking with my dog along the trail. Two teenagers sitting on skateboards and being pulled by several huskies came flying down the path. The dogs swung out wide in order to keep the skate boards on the trail. I saw them coming in time to jump off the trail. My dog saw it too, but only saw a team of threatening dogs coming at us. He lunged at them and I hung on so that his leash wouldn’t hit the guys sitting on their boards in their throats. I cut my hand on the leash, and was pulled flat onto the pavement as they flew past. They looked back and saw me hit the ground but didn’t bother to stop.

I hope that Velda’s death will not be in vain, and it will cause our community to take seriously the safety of others.

Elaine Arnold

Renton