Keeping it Safe on Long Island's Bike Trails

Last weekend, my husband and I were returning from a hike in Stillwell Preserve and Woods, when we were greeted by a rather large ambulance that was parked at the entrance to the main trail.

As we exited to the parking lot, I took note of the fact that there were two ambulances, three squad cars, and a rather breathless cyclist, who was frantically relaying his account of what occurred to several officers. Within minutes, the cyclist returned to the wood, two police officers in tow.

Earlier in our hike, we had passed this cyclist and his friend, as they were gliding easily past us on a rather narrow switchback. My husband had commented that the terrain was especially difficult that day, due to the fallen leaves. To be truthful, I almost lost my footing on several occasions, and managed to stumble over some hidden rocks and roots.

I found out later on that the cyclist who had been injured actually sustained a spinal cord injury. Both my husband and I were pretty devastated by the news; we had seen these very pleasant, courteous cyclists on almost all of our hikes. The ease with which they rode had spurred us to look into purchasing cycles of our own, at a later date.

We have discussed at great length the real possibility of getting lost in the woods, and how difficult it would be to negotiate the forest, were one injured on a hike or ride. We had seen an emergency ATV, earlier in the month, and realized that this would most likely be the only way of covering the trail. With the twists and turns of the Stillwell Spaghetti, as well as the uneven terrain, it would be impossible to get any other vehicle inside to perform a rescue. A promise was made that neither of us would ever have the foolish notion of attempting a hike alone, for that very reason. The scariness of being lost, alone, and hurt in a thicket on a rarely used trail was enough to make the toughest person shudder. Unfortunately, I’ve seen many cyclists entering the forest alone, and I am too well aware of the adherent risks that these individuals are taking with their lives and person.

I had wondered aloud whether or not a person could be found via their cellular device, and if these individuals even brought them on a ride. I decided to do a little research, to figure out whether or not people could be found via a phone. I also wanted to compile a list of things to do, to ensure safety for all involved.

I cannot stress enough the importance of the obvious - always take a buddy with you on a hike or ride. Better yet, make sure that you bring at least two people along. In the event of an unfortunate accident, there would always be one person to stay with the injured party, one person to go for help. And always be sure to have your cell phone on you, because there are several ways that you can, in fact, be found, even if you are alone and possibly unconscious.

Always let someone know where you are going, especially if you are going somewhere that has potential risks for getting hurt. It’s not a ridiculous request; letting someone know that you’re taking a ride in the forest is a great fail safe method to ensure your personal safety. I know that if my daughter and her friends aren’t back by a certain time, to contact her cell phone to make sure that she’s okay.

The first way that a person can be found is by simply contacting the local authorities. If one is unconscious, there is no need to despair. Cellular devices are in constant communication with cell towers, via a pinging system. The police are able to retrieve this information, find your phone through pings, and be able to find you, wherever you might be.

Most of the newer phones come equipped with a GPS system enabled. The older phones may or may not have this system in place; therefore, it’s a good idea to register your phone with AccuTracking. By visiting the website (AccuTracking.com), you can download the program to your phone. By simply installing this feature, your location could be pinned down to within one hundred yards.

There are several websites that would be able to track your location in real-time. If you’re a Facebook user, there is a small icon on the bottom of your screen that allows you to post exactly where you are; however, it is not as precise, so this would only alert authorities or family members to your general location. Mologogo is one of those real-time location applications that will be able to note your precise location. It’s easier for you to be found that way. MapQuest also offers a feature, for a small monthly fee, that allows others to know exactly where you are.

C.L.I.M.B.L.I. advises that riders and hikers take safety precautions when using the trails. They warn of the adherent risks, and also mention courtesy and safety for all. Volunteers from the organization frequently maintain the trails, but with a site that is over 250 acres in size, it’s almost impossible to keep ahead of the falling leaves. That’ 

I’m putting it out there to all of you who are riders and hikers to stay safe. You don’t need to plow through the trail at break-neck speed to prove a point to yourself - the trails are challenging enough that you don’t need to go quickly. By moving so fast, you don’t have enough time to judge the ever changing terrain, especially when conditions are slippery and dangers are hidden. I’m also putting it out there that we all send silent good vibes to the injured cyclist - he’s got the toughest ride of his life ahead of him.