Cyclists call for safer trail crossings following death of 9-year-old boy
Euphenie Andre
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)
A small memorial of flowers and a teddy bear now rests at the edge of a county road where a 9-year-old boy lost his life after being struck by a pickup truck. The child was hit by a 21-year-old woman while crossing a section of the Katy Trail on Thursday.
Cyclists who frequently ride the trail say they’re heartbroken, but not surprised.
“When i saw the news it was kind of shocking, but I wasn’t surprised, sadly,” Tyler Renn said.
The stretch of road near the Katy Trail crossing is surrounded by thick brush, making it difficult to see approaching traffic or trail users. Cyclists said visibility is a major issue and the lack of signage warning drivers only makes it worse.
“That spot’s kind of sketchy,” Renn who has been cycling for five years said. “When you’re on the Katy Trail, you can’t really see the road until you’re basically on it. And there are no signs warning drivers that cyclists or pedestrians could be crossing.”
Renn believes more maintenance could help solve the problem.
” Maintenance with that brush around that area. Maybe people that are driving should be aware in those areas that people are cycling. And I mean Jeff City’s implemented all of these little bike lanes and I feel like most people are conscious of that. But I mean, there’s still some people who are just ignorant to that fact and don’t really care or think they control the road,” Renn said.
Callaway County’s Road and Bridge Department said it is exploring several options to improve safety along the roadway.
An ABC 17 News reporter found no signage posted to warn vehicles approaching the crossing. However, the Katy Trail itself includes signs advising trail users to slow down, yield at crossing, and wear helmets.
Nothing on the road alerts drivers to trail traffic.
“I was always taught that like pedestrians, people on foot or bicyles have the right of way and you need to be aware of them and the the other vehicle,” Renn said.
Local residents also expressed frustration to ABC 17 News stating, tragedy could have been prevented with better traffic controls.
Casey Seam also frequently bikes near the katy trail in Hunstdale.
“I think there’s also a lot of responsibility on drivers,” Seam said. “Especially if you’re coming up on a crossing like this (the intersection down Burr Oak Roa), you should be very cautious and looking out for all directions for there could be someone coming up.
At the Katy Trail in Huntsdale, an ABC 17 News reporter observed a posted speed limit of 35 miles per hour, unlike the crossing on County Road 391. However, the sign did not include any warning about pedestrians or cyclists crossing.