Changes are coming to the Cedar River Trail – possibly, a lower speed limit for bike riders – following the death in April of Velda Mapelli, who was hit on the trail by a bike.

Mayor Denis Law’s proposal was presented to the City Council Monday night by administrative staff members. The council made suggestions, which staff will now incorporate into a final proposal for council consideration.

Law had suggested reducing the trail’s 15 mph speed limit to 10 mph from the trailhead just under Interstate 405 to 140th Avenue Southeast.

But the council indicated consistency is a priority, so it’s suggesting the city lower the speed limit to 10 mph for the entire length of the trail.

Law has asked for swift action on the safety improvements for the length of the trail in the city. He convened a task force of several departments to come up with a safety plan.

Education is a key part of the plan, but police officers would step up enforcement, including on such bike-rider favorites as Lake Washington Boulevard.

Mapelli of Renton, who was 83, died April 19 of massive injuries she suffered when she was hit by a bike rider on the trail the day before.

Her daughter and son-in-law, Stephanie Mapelli and Michael Sharkey, attended the Committee of the Whole meeting before the regular council meeting.

“I am proud of them for taking a stand,” said Mapelli. She agrees with a 10 mph speed limit for the trail.

She and her husband also made some recommendations, including addressing whether large groups of bicycles should be allowed on the trail.

The Cedar River Trail, Sharkey said, maybe isn’t “an appropriate place for group training.”

Mapelli and her husband also met a victim of a potentially fatal bike accident on the Lake Youngs Trail in early March. They were introduced by Law.

They exchanged condolences.

“I am glad to hear you’re fine,” Mapelli told Janice Knight of Fairwood. Knight expressed her condolences.

Knight was at the bottom of a hill on the Lake Youngs Trail when she turned to walk back up. It’s at that point she was hit by bicyclist coming down the hill. She doesn’t remember much of what happened next.

She received injuries similar to those that killed Velda Mapelli, including broken ribs and fingers and a broken clavicle. She also suffered a minor brain injury.

Knight had sent information and photos of her injuries to Law.

“I was so glad to see that something was going to happen,” she said of efforts to make the Cedar River Trail safer.

Law’s proposal to the City Council was presented by Kelly Beymer, the city’s parks and golf course director. Renton Police Commander Kent Curry and a public works administrator, Rich Perteet, also presented information.

Some of the recommendations will require council action, including on a new speed limit for the trail and on mandatory dismounting from a bike between the Bronson Avenue and Logan Avenue bridges.

Council members were particularly interested in the speed issue.

Council President Don Persson raised the question about why not just impose a 10 mph speed limit for the entire trail, not just between the trailhead under the freeway to 140th Avenue Southeast.

Persson was told traffic drops off at 140th. But council member King Parker said consistency is important. Besides, he said, most bikes don’t have speedometers. A possible solution is one of those speed signs that show how fast a vehicle is going.

Council member Greg Taylor, who has walked the trail, pointed out that children and pets also can wander on the trail. That needs to be addressed.

That’s where the tips in a “Share the Trip” single-sheet brochure come in. The trail has multiple users and everyone must act responsibly on the trail, Beymer said. A key piece of the plan is educating the public about trail etiquette.

A painted line would delineate two lanes on the trail. Walkers and bikers would travel on the right, with passing on the left, except in a no-passing zone marked by a solid yellow line.

Users would face oncoming traffic as well, because the trail is not one way.

“Everyone needs to use some common sense,” Beymer said.

Police would patrol the trail, but officials urge that users call 911 if they see illegal activity. Police cadets would patrol the trail during busy times and could issue warnings.

Violations of the new trail rules could result in a fine, the amount of which hasn’t been determined. A two-week warning period would proceed any issuance of a citation.

Law stressed the fines are not about creating a new revenue source for the city. The concern, he said, is trail safety. Money to pay for the signs and other improvements would come from existing resources.

Velda Mapelli was active up to her death. She was an avid skier, a community volunteer and held a number of pilot ratings. She walked three to five miles a day. A gardener, she had an appreciation of nature, her daughter said.

The Cedar River Trail was one of her favorite places to walk.