Centennial Trail offers relaxing ride

I have to disagree with those complaining about the bicycle barriers on the Centennial Trail (“Barriers bother bicyclists,” Aug. 20).

Since being critically injured many years ago by an errant motorist while biking on one of our many shoulderless roads, I have been permanently crippled and, at 71 years of age, am still obsessed with bicycle safety. A feeling of such safety, whether I should be negotiating railroad tracks or passing though barriers on the Centennial Trail, is infinitely greater than when biking on our roads. In the former two, one has only to blame oneself if hit by a train or taking a spill.

Hopefully, no one will have to be blamed when on the roads. I wear rear view mirrors on both sides of my helmet and, given the disparity in velocity between speeding cars and the bike, generally ride on the “wrong” side of the rod, except at intersections.

In contrast, on the Centennial Trail, I can relax and really enjoy myself. Here is hoping that the county parks department won’t have to succumb to unjustified complaints by old people who apparently feel unsafe using the trail.

Monroe