Fatal Katy Trail Accident Prompts Safety Discussion

Less than two weeks after a woman died from an accident on the Katy Trail in Dallas, the city is looking into safety improvements. Monday City Council member Angela Hunt will meet with the nonprofit organization Friends of the Katy Trail.

On a cool fall day, Katy Trail is bustling with all sorts of people: parents with strollers, pet owners with dogs, pedestrians, and bicyclists. Lauren Huddleston, 28, was jogging on the trail when she turned into the path of a bicyclist. The collision caused her severe head injuries and ultimately, claimed her life.

"After that happened, I thought about not coming back out here because in the past, it had seemed dangerous," said John Kennedy, cyclist.  "Mostly because some of the bicyclists ride too fast, and then pedestrians will tend to take a left turn without looking behind them."

"Friends of the Katy Trail has always been interested in promoting safety. The tragic accident was just a reminder that more can be done to improve safety," spokesperson Eric Paulson said, adding that the group is taking a serious look at possible safety improvements, which may involve extra signage and other measures they have yet to discuss.

Some people on wheels, whether Rollerblades or bicycles, take their own precautions by announcing themselves as they are passing. Police officers patrol the trail on bikes. But some folks suggest a speed limit or a total ban on bicycles.

Parts of the Katy Trail have pedestrian-only paths, where pedestrians can stay away from bicyclists. But on other parts of the trail, everyone must squeeze into just one lane in each direction and watch out for each other.

"I'll take my bike up here. I'll go slow. I mean, I'm not taking my bike up here for a workout with my Lance Armstrong jersey on going 90 miles an hour. This is not where you do that," Pat Rooney said.

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