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| Friends of the Pacific Electric Trail |
Residents in the Inland Empire
are fortunate to have a 21-mile Class I bike path in their backyard to enjoy
365 days a year. Unlike parks that have
hours of operation, the PE Trail is open 24 hours a day and includes lots of
lighting for evening use with mile markers every ¼ mile on the light poles. Practicing
social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic has been challenging to navigate
but not impossible, especially with the
recent surge in new cases in southern California. Trying to balance physical exercise as a part
of overall wellness is easily made possible by walking, running, or cycling on
the PE Trail. We all need a physical or
mental health break from time to time to offset the self-isolation we are
honoring to help slow down the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
Since 2005, the Friends of the
Pacific Electric Trail have been part of the process and have witnessed the
transformation of the once abandoned Pacific Electric Red Car Line into a
premier Class 1 multi-use, regional trail.
In the City of Rancho Cucamonga, there is the added benefit of the
decomposed granite 5-mile stretch of the Trail for equestrian and is extremely
popular with runners. This 21-mile trail is the “Jewel of the Inland Empire”
and connects residents and businesses in the cities of Montclair, Upland,
Rancho Cucamonga, Fontana, and Rialto.
This trail is frequently used by neighbors who enjoy walking their dogs
for exercise, a safe route to school and for many, a safe way to commute to
work on a bike without the concerns of motorized vehicles.
The “Friends” came together this
Saturday morning at the popular Amethyst Trailhead to film the beginning of a
series of “Trail Safety Shorts.” During
the COVID-19 pandemic, this filming project highlighted social distancing and
of course, we were all wearing face coverings.
We met with friends both old and new as we tried to film in
between the busy traffic on the PE Trail.
Cycling groups, families with their kids in strollers, walkers with
their dogs, young and old, the PE Trail was buzzing with activity. Our dear friend “David” from Dude Tools came
by to visit during the filming and thanked us for making Trail Safety a
priority for our community. The Amethyst
Trailhead is adjacent to the Alta Loma district and is a great place to begin
your trip as it offers a monument featuring the history of the area, parking,
picnic table, water fountain for human, dogs and horses, a hitching post for
equestrian, shade trees, landscaping, trash can and doggy stations.
Trail safety is important for
everyone who enjoy the PE Trail and the Friends of the Pacific Electric Trail
are committed to educating the public on the best way to enjoy the Trail. Whether you are walking, running, or cycling
on the Trail, it is always a good idea to practice Trail Etiquette. If you are a walking or running group, please
keep to the right side of the trail to allow cyclists, skaters or runners to
pass you on the left. If you are a
cyclist, please announce yourself to those you are approaching so that they are
made aware of your presence. If you are
walking your dog, please keep your leash short to keep from blocking other
users. We encourage dog walkers to pick
up after their dogs and dispose of waste in the numerous trash cans provided
along the trail. Please do not litter
the trail and dispose of your trash responsibly. For many, wearing your ear buds while exercising
is natural, but please be aware of your surroundings by glancing behind you
occasionally for approaching trail traffic.
You should always be able to hear someone announcing “ON YOUR LEFT”
as they approach you.
The PE Trail is designed for
non-motorized vehicles such as: electric
wheelchairs, scooters, bicycles, skateboards, and roller skates. Electric golf carts and Gem cars are not
permitted on the PE Trail. Electric pedal
assist bicycles are permitted but all electric bikes are not permitted. When we all SHARE THE TRAIL, we acknowledge
that the trail is designed for everyone to enjoy. This collection of Trail Safety videos will
be featured on our website in the near future and hopefully shared with our
sister cities and please feel free to share them with your friends and
neighbors,
When we are spending a morning
on the Trail, folks are eager to share their trail stories with us, tell us
areas of the trail that need attention, ask questions, etc. Most responsible dog walkers carry their own
doggy water bowl but there are a few drinking fountains on the trail that
provide water for humans and pets such as at the Route 66 Trailhead, Amethyst
Trailhead, and at Central Park. There is
an additional mini trailhead with 5 picnic benches, drinking fountain, fix-it
station and a little shade adjacent to the Fire Station on Day Creek Blvd.
The Friends of the Pacific
Electric Trail are committed to wellness and safety on the trail as we have
always supported active living and healthy lifestyles in the Inland
Empire. Thank you to the best film
crew: Justin, Kathi, Jeff, Dennis, Laura, James, Emilia and Sean for volunteering to be in our
trail safety shorts and for supporting the Friends of the Pacific Electric
Trail. A big shout out to our webmaster
and videographer, Juan, owner of OFF THE CHARTS TV for an outstanding collaboration.
If you have ideas of what we
might film for trail safety, please comment below.
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| Friends of the Pacific Electric Trail |
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