{"id":2429,"date":"2017-03-24T23:01:28","date_gmt":"2017-03-24T23:01:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.nelsonboydlaw.com\/blog\/?p=2429"},"modified":"2021-09-02T20:49:41","modified_gmt":"2021-09-02T20:49:41","slug":"4-tips-sharing-trail-wheelchair-users","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nelsonboydlaw.com\/blog\/articles\/4-tips-sharing-trail-wheelchair-users\/","title":{"rendered":"4 Tips for Sharing the Trail with Wheelchair Users"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"\"\"By Guest Author, Ian Mackay<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"I am a power wheelchair user and an avid trail rider. I was a cyclist before my crash which left me paralyzed from the neck down. I spend as much time as possible outdoors and on my local trail. I\u2019d like to share a few etiquette and safety tips that will help make trails and bike paths safer and more enjoyable for you as well as people in wheelchairs. I\u2019ve enjoyed well over 400 hours last year traveling on multiuse paths in my power wheelchair. Almost everyone I encounter is delightful. That said, my time on the trails has shown me that there are a few things you can do to help ensure your safety and mine.<\/p>\n

Announce Your Presence<\/strong><\/h3>\n

We all have our limitations, and they aren\u2019t always obvious to others. You might not know, for instance, that I can\u2019t turn my head enough to see fully behind me. This means when I\u2019m cruising along the trail, I don\u2019t know when someone is coming up behind me to pass. That can present a hazardous situation. I tend to maneuver my chair around bumpy potential hazards like sticks, pinecones, potholes, or road debris. This means I might swerve abruptly to stay on the smoothest possible surface.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s important when you\u2019re about to pass a person in a wheelchair\u2014or any person, really\u2014to give them a head\u2019s up so you don\u2019t cause a collision by catching them by surprise. A simple ring of your bike bell or a clear verbal cue like \u201con your left\u201d is sufficient to make others aware that you\u2019re about to pass.<\/p>\n

Say Hello<\/strong><\/h3>\n

I think it\u2019s important for trail users to acknowledge each other. Sometimes it\u2019s just a nod of the head, a smile, or a comment on the weather, but these little things really help to foster a trail community. An attentive community can instill confidence in a person who lives with a disability. Knowing that you\u2019re not alone out there can be very reassuring. Occasionally, we may need a hand with something, and it\u2019s easier to ask when making eye contact is standard procedure. This allows us to request help without feeling pushy. I\u2019m not suggesting that you go around offering help to everyone you see who\u2019s in a wheelchair\u2014that would make me feel more disabled and less independent than I am. But by engaging, no matter how small the gesture, you create an opening for the chair user to request help if need be.<\/p>\n

Control Your Pets and Horses<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Keep in mind that animals may not be accustomed to seeing a person using a wheelchair and may act unpredictably. We don\u2019t want to run over any paws or surprise any dogs or horses. For their safety and ours, give chair users a little wider berth when you cross paths.<\/p>\n

Be Aware<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This one\u2019s a no-brainer. It\u2019s good practice to be mindful when spending time on a trail no matter who\u2019s around. If you do encounter someone in a wheelchair, know that they are likely not as maneuverable as a bicyclist or runner. I occasionally swerve or stop suddenly for various reasons\u2014for example, I always avoid running over snakes\u2014but I don\u2019t want to cause an accident. Just know that a wheelchair may not move as predictably or nimbly as other trail transportation modes you see out there.<\/p>\n

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