by Peter Kurtz

I knew immediately that I was approaching Loveland. Didn’t even need to see the 41.0 mile paint mark on the trail. Running in the grass alongside the trail between Fosters and Loveland, there it was. Another sign of human presence: a neatly tied, green doggie poop bag.

I’ve been running this four-mile section of trail since the mid-1990s. I use it for exercise runs and marathon training. It’s one of my favorite places outside of my home. I’m also a trail volunteer and co-adopter. The Fosters-Loveland trail section is so familiar to me, I’ve bestowed pet names on every natural landmark and manmade marker. The culvert. The clear-cut. Mrs. Butterworth’s. Tornado Alley. The Herdtner bench.

Maybe it’s the coronavirus, or maybe it’s just overpopulation, but lately I’ve been seeing increasing numbers of pedestrians, runners, and bicyclists along this section. And as always, with people comes trash. And the latest trash fad is doggie poop bags being left along the side of the trail.

I’m not sure why these thoughtless pet owners cannot tote their bags a few hundred yards to the nearest trash receptacle. Do they expect others will pick up their litter? Do they expect these bags and their contents will decompose within 24 hours? Is it a selfish and misguided “Individual Freedom” kind of thing?

During my Saturday morning runs, I try to pick up the paper labels, gel wrappers, and plastic water bottles I inevitably see that have been discarded by the “Weekend Warriors.” But it’s difficult to escort bags of animal feces—at least while my legs and arms are pumping. So there they remain.

I apologize if this essay sounds overly harsh. But I have to be honest about how I feel. And I don’t think I’m alone. I fully realize that, unfortunately, there will always be litterbugs, and not everyone has the time or inclination to be a trail steward.

But I urge my fellow trail stewards to consider keeping an eye out for these bags. Granted, it’s asking a lot to scoop them up with an ungloved hand. But if you can safely remove them, or place them in a prominent location so they can be removed later, such a gesture is appreciated. And if by some miraculous chance you witness someone in the discourteous act of leaving their poop bag¬—a littering act typically performed surreptitiously—please reprimand them (politely).

And if you’ve been guilty yourself of discarding your own doggie poop bags, please in the future escort them to the nearest manmade receptacle. It’s not just about you. It’s also about the trees, the wildlife, and the rest of us humans who share this amazing Trail and its vicinity.

Editor’s note: We understand that in some areas trash receptacles are not easily available. Why aren’t there more trash cans along the trail? They need to be frequently emptied, and in most areas there is no one to do this. So please use the cans where available, and be prepared to take refuse, including doggie poop bags, home with you to discard properly.

August 2020

by Erick Wikum

In recent years, pedal power received a literal boost with the advent of e-bikes, which provide assistance when a rider is pedaling. While e-bikes appeal to a wide range of people for a variety of reasons, e-bikes provide an especially important benefit for those who, due to age, disability or fitness level, are unable to ride traditional bicycles. E-bikes can allow these individuals to regain mobility and fitness, all while enjoying reduced stress and other mental health benefits.

Last year, Ohio passed laws covering the usage of e-bikes. Ohio categorizes e-bikes into three classes. Classes 1 and 2, equipped with a motor or a throttle-activated motor, respectively, cease to provide assistance when the bike reaches 20mph. Class 3 is similar to Class 1, but has a specification of 28mph. Ohio permits e-bike use on trails unless prohibited by the trail manager. Since the manager of the Little Miami Scenic Trail (the Ohio Department of Natural Resources) has not prohibited e-bikes, then class 1 and 2 e-bikes are currently permitted there. Class 3 e-bikes, which can exceed the trail speed limit of 20mph, are not permitted.

While bicycling involves some inherent dangers, riding an e-bike can be especially dangerous. A recent analysis conducted by researchers representing various New York City medical centers found that “while population-based rates of pedal bicycle-related injuries have been decreasing, particularly among children, reported e-bike injuries have been increasing dramatically particularly among older persons” (see BMJ article).
A typical speed for a recreational cyclist is between 10 and 14mph. An additional 6mph from 14 to 20 may not sound like much, but the higher speed impacts stopping distance and the severity of crashes.

Here are four important tips for riding an e-bike safely:
1. Always wear a helmet!
2. Inspect your e-bike to ensure it is in good working condition before each ride. Be sure to verify that your brakes work.
3. Familiarize yourself with your e-bike’s handling and gain confidence at slower speeds before graduating to faster speeds. Practice braking. Hone your e-bike riding skills in a quiet setting before braving a busier environment.
4. Come to a complete stop at intersections and wait until it is clear and safe to proceed. To the extent that your e-bike is heavier than a standard bicycle, your e-bike may also be somewhat slow to accelerate, so allow plenty of leeway to cars.

Riding an e-bike can be a great way to enjoy the Little Miami Scenic Trail. And yet, due to heightened potential for serious mishaps, e-bikes need to be treated with healthy respect. An electrifying e-bike experience should include fresh air and views of nature, but not ambulance lights.

August 2020

by Erick Wikum

With warm weather and people looking for a healthy outlet amid the pandemic, the Little Miami Scenic Trail is experiencing heavy usage these days. With the need for social distancing, carefully choosing where and when you use the trail is highly recommended. So too is exercising care when meeting or passing other trail users.

Consider the rules and etiquette that cars traveling a two-lane road must follow to ensure safe passing. A car that would pass another must do so in a passing zone (with clear visibility) and must ensure that the opposite lane is clear, both ahead and behind. What should a driver do if these conditions are not met? The driver should cool his or her heels and wait until it is safe to pass.

Similar rules and etiquette apply to you as a user of the Little Miami Scenic Trail. While the trail might possibly accommodate more than two people abreast, the most courteous and safe configuration involves single file traffic in each direction. Is it okay for you to bike, walk or run side-by-side with a friend? It is, but when doing so, stay entirely on your side of the trail, be attentive, and be prepared to go single file in heavily trafficked areas. Pass others only when the path is fully clear, checking both behind and ahead. Call out “on your left” to alert others of your presence. Provide a wide berth while passing; move to the left early, stay far left when passing and return to the right only when well past the other users. And if there is any question as to whether or not the path is clear and it is safe to pass, cool your heels. Slow your pace, lay up behind the users who you want to pass, and wait. Road crossings are inherently dangerous and not the place to pass other trail users. Wait until you (and they) are safely across before looking for an opportunity to pass.

While the pandemic may be with us for quite some time, “this too shall pass.” Meanwhile, when you pass others you encounter on the Little Miami Scenic Trail, be smart and be safe. Enjoy a bit of exercise and a bit of nature and attend to your physical and mental health, but do so safely.

July 2020