Bike Collisions on Guadalupe River Trail

Multi-use trails have seen a steady increase in usage in the past few months. These asphalt trails wind their way amongst creeks, rivers and along major roads and provide an opportunity to enjoy riding a bike without having to navigate cars. If you're like us at SVBC, you've noticed all the new trail users and can't help but smile at seeing lots of people rediscovering the joy of riding a bike. Unfortunately, there have also been some recent tragedies.

We were saddened and concerned to learn about two separate, recent bike crashes on the Guadalupe River Trail resulting in the deaths of two people biking. The first happened near the underpass of Julian Street and the second happened under the Tasman Bridge. Both were bike-on-bike collisions, which are extremely rare to begin with, and even rarer are they fatal. The design of the underpasses (where the crashes occurred) create a situation in which people biking pick up speed as they ramp down under the overpass and then are thrust into a dark corridor with limited visibility.*

While the design of trails plays a critical role in safety, it is also important to ride in ways that reflect the diversity of trail users. It is in the bike community’s best interest to make sure that all these new people have a good experience and keep riding. For that reason, below is some guidance for ensuring that the trails remain an enjoyable, safe, welcoming place for us as we shelter in place and for the duration.

What Can You Do?

Slow Down. Speed was a factor in both these crashes, which is also due to the way the trail is designed. In these instances, the riders picked up speed as they went under an overpass. Prepare for this, manage your speed on hills and ride in control. Also, keep in mind that trails are not racetracks. If you’re clocking your time for a PR, it’s time to leave the trail and ride on the road. Most trails, including those in San Jose have a speed limit of 15mph unless otherwise posted.

Anticipate and Observe.It may be tempting to let your guard down because you’re not amongst car traffic - please don’t! Be vigilant on trails because it can sometimes be less predictable than riding on roads. Prepare to brake for kids, dogs, wayward squirrels, or people walking and engrossed in conversation. Expect someone to be on the trail around that blind corner or curve or in the dark underpass. Be cautious, but have fun and enjoy the scenery.

Communicate. If you’re coming up on other trail users and plan to pass, let them know you’re coming. Bells works really well on trails and most folks will identify that with a biker. If you don’t have a bell, a friendly, ‘on your left’ works, too! Just be sure to give plenty of time to avoid startling them.

Be Friendly To Other Users. Use our extensive trail networks for how they were intended and welcome ALL users. There are runners, single walkers, walkers with dogs, walkers with babies in strollers, users wearing headphones, skateboarders and those riding bikes — including kids. It’s wonderful, all of these folks enjoying recreation and the outdoors. When encountering other people on the trail, make eye contact so that you know they can see you.*SVBC is in communication with the City of San Jose’s Parks and Recreation Department, which is responsible for building and maintaining the trail network, including the Guadalupe River Trail. We are working to come up with immediate and long term design changes that would prevent this type of crash happening in the future.

For more information about San Jose trails and FAQs visit San Jose’s Trial Network and Resources