Melensdad
Active Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- 2016 SJPdP to Santiago, Finisterre. Hadrian's Way, 2015. Sections of the AT + National & State Park trails.
Outside of Pamplona we saw a group of bikers collide with some English women. Fortunately no real injuries. Many people yelled "BIKE! BIKE!" as they passed. Germans were yelling "ACHTUNG!" The bikers passed at a speed that was a bit too high but it was a downhill section and the trail section was wide. The collision occurred because the women were walking 4 abreast across the trail and they apparently didn't hear any of the many warnings.
We saw many "near misses" all along the trail. We also saw many very considerate bikers who tried to be very careful. The downhill sections are difficult for the bikers when walkers are side-by-side across the trail. I saw no biking pilgrims who wanted to collide with walking pilgrims.
THE EXCEPTION TO THE RULE: Outside of Sarria we saw an insane teenage biker intentionally pedal at high speed through a group of high school pilgrims. He had no packs, was not dressed like a pilgrim biker, his bike was not like other Camino bikes; I presume he was a local resident acting like a jerk.
The first incident would likely have been avoided by if the bikers had bells, or some warning device other than their voices, on their bikes.
Many of the "near misses" would also be eliminated by use of a simple bell mounted to the grip of the bike. Of course pilgrims wearing earbuds wouldn't likely hear a bell, a shout, or even a bullhorn. But a bell will dramatically increase safety for everyone.
We saw many "near misses" all along the trail. We also saw many very considerate bikers who tried to be very careful. The downhill sections are difficult for the bikers when walkers are side-by-side across the trail. I saw no biking pilgrims who wanted to collide with walking pilgrims.
THE EXCEPTION TO THE RULE: Outside of Sarria we saw an insane teenage biker intentionally pedal at high speed through a group of high school pilgrims. He had no packs, was not dressed like a pilgrim biker, his bike was not like other Camino bikes; I presume he was a local resident acting like a jerk.
The first incident would likely have been avoided by if the bikers had bells, or some warning device other than their voices, on their bikes.
Many of the "near misses" would also be eliminated by use of a simple bell mounted to the grip of the bike. Of course pilgrims wearing earbuds wouldn't likely hear a bell, a shout, or even a bullhorn. But a bell will dramatically increase safety for everyone.