PINELLAS TRAIL – Pedestrian, bicycle, skater, and rollerblade injuries
According to the Pinellas Trail Guidebook, the Pinellas Trail began as a vision in 1983. A man whose son was killed while riding his bike, helped form the Pinellas County Metropolitan Planning Organizations Bicycle Advisory Committee, consisting of bicycle enthusiasts. The committee, in conjunction with the Pedestrian Safety Committee, wanted a safe place to enjoy bicycle riding, strolling or jogging. The county had a separate problem – what to do with a 34-mile corridor of abandoned CSX railroad right-of-way.
Today, Florida residents and visitors alike now enjoy using the Pinellas Trail. You can get on the north portion of the Trail near the Anclote River in Tarpon Springs and pedal south all the way down through the Bay Pines area of Seminole as you head past the Tyrone Mall and finish your journey in St. Petersburg.
An average of 90,000 people uses the Trail each month. The Trail is a unique greenway corridor linking some of Pinellas County’s most picturesque parks, scenic coastal areas and residential neighborhoods. The construction of eight (8) overpasses allow Trail-goers to travel safely above traffic at busy intersections as they travel through cities and communities such as Tarpon Springs, Crystal Beach, Palm Harbor/Ozona, Dunedin, Clearwater, Largo, Seminole, Bay Pines, Tyrone Mall, and St. Petersburg. Even though some of the busiest intersections have raised overpasses, there are still eighty-eight (88) street crossings along the trail. These street crossings along the Trail pose a potential danger to pedestrians, skaters and bicyclists if they fail to obey the basic rules of the Trail, or if a motor vehicle fails to yield the right of way while crossing the Trail resulting in a crash or accident.
TO HELP EVERYONE ENJOY THE TRAIL, THERE ARE SOME BASIC RULES:
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The Trail is only open during daylight hours.
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Alcoholic beverages are prohibited.
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Pedestrians and handicapped have the right of way, wheelchairs should use the pedestrian lanes and electric handicap wheelchairs are always permitted.
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Bicyclists are required to obey all traffic controls and signals.
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Bicyclists are not permitted to wear headphones at any time and under age 16, they must wear a helmet.
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Electric bicycles are not allowed on the Pinellas Trail.
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Bicyclists and skaters should obey the posted speed limits. No racing, race training or pace lines. Skaters should use the bicycle lanes, and both skaters and cyclists should give an audible warning when passing.
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Motorized vehicles (except electric handicap wheelchairs, maintenance, law enforcement and emergency vehicles) are not allowed on the Trail. Neither are horses.
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Pets must be kept on a six (6) foot leash or less and under control.
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