Cyclists worried about Emigration Canyon safety

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Some cyclists who frequent Emigration Canyon say bike lanes aren't safe.

Rick Alvarez went for a ride in the Salt Lake City-area canyon in May. While traveling downhill he hit a rough patch of asphalt in the bike lane, crashed and broke his neck. He still has up to two months to go before he can ride again.

Alvarez said maintenance of the dedicated lanes has been poor and has caused accidents, even leading riders to instead use the main lanes for motor vehicles.

"They do not have a plan to keep those bike lanes safe," Alvarez said. "There are a lot of accidents up there, and there is no long-term planning to promote safe cycling."

Safety complaints increased this summer because a chip-seal surface treatment was put down to prevent potholes, said Salt Lake County public works operations director Kevyn Smeltzer.

He said that when the road construction began his office asked people to avoid riding in the canyon for two weeks. But he said people either didn't see the warning or ignored it.

In the past Smeltzer said his office has gotten safety complaints from cyclists about once a month.

Some of the safety issues are because of the canyon environment, said Salt Lake County bicycle advisory committee chairman Chad Mullins. He cited rocks and other debris that come down the hillside and onto the roadway because of erosion.

Street sweepers now come through the canyon once a month to improve safety and it would be difficult to sweep more often than that, Smeltzer said. Up until two summers ago, sweepers came through the canyon only two or three times a year, he said.

Alvarez said monthly sweepings are not enough and suggested a professional study is needed.

"Let's make the most popular ride the safest ride," he said.