Allentown, PA : Decades after fatal crash, bike restrictions at Trexler Park may be lifted on Thursday, 25th August, 2016

For the first time in decades, cyclists may soon have full use of the bike path at Trexler Park after several members of Allentown City Council signaled that they would support lifting restrictions there.

Currently, cycling is permitted on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays in the park, which is in the city's far West End. Members of council's Parks and Recreation Committee met Wednesday to discuss whether those days should be expanded after several requests were made by the public.

Trexler Park already is one of Allentown's most bicycle-friendly parks. The park's trail is an average of 16 feet wide, the widest of all trails in the Allentown parks system, and a portion of the trail is already dedicated to cyclists. There's also a posted 10 mph speed limit.

But restrictions in the park have been in place since a fatal crash in 1989. That year, 19-year-old Andrew Hornstein was killed as he helped a man train for a race on the path. Morning Call reports from the time stated that Hornstein intentionally walked into the path of the bicyclist, who was unable to stop. The two men's heads collided, and Hornstein died the next day from his injuries.

Allentown banned cycling in the park completely after the crash, but later relaxed the rule for certain days of the week.

Lindsay Taylor, director of parks and recreation, said the city administration recommends council lift the restrictions on biking. If the rule was instituted for safety reasons, then allowing cycling on three days per week nullifies that argument, she said.

Source :
Decades after fatal crash, bike restrictions at Trexler Park may be lifted