That low limb was still there Friday. But somebody seems to have daubed it with whitewash.
Two days after getting conked on the head and thrown off my bike on Albany’s Dave Clark Riverfront Path, I visited the scene again on Friday and found the culprit still there.
The culprit was the lowest limb of a thick tree hanging low over the path where the trail dips and curves near its eastern end. The nearest cross street is Sherman Street.
When I rode my bike through that section of the trail on Wednesday, the top of my helmet hit the cut-off branch on that limb at a decent speed. I guess it was about 10 mph. The collision sent the bike and me sprawling, and I reported on the mishap here.
On Friday, I noticed that the lowest part of the overhanging limb had been painted. It looked more or less white.
Photos I took after my crash Wednesday didn’t show any white.
On Friday I had a tape measure in my bike bag. Turns out that the lowest and sharpest part of that limb is a mere 5 feet 3 inches above the concrete pavement of the trail.
Since hitting this obstruction in the middle of the trail at a normal speed could in theory break a bike rider’s skull, or even his neck, I hope the parks department will cut that tree down the first chance they have.
Until they do that, my advice to bike riders is to avoid that section of the trail. (hh)
The tale of the tape: The end of that tape is touching the ground.
It might even be wise to look where one is going.
You are so clever!
And you are?
Hasso: Did you report your collision to the City Parks Dept.? They probably don’t read your blog. I’m not saying that will bring about a prompt cutting down of the tree, but you need to tell them what happened. Most people, except children, are taller than 5 ft. 3 in. Signs need to immediately be placed that say, “Caution: Low hanging branches ahead.”
One could also just alleviate the problem and trim the branch.
You wrote: “I don’t want to waste a minute complaining before warning everybody”. I have yet to read that you contacted the Albany Parks Department regarding this matter.
On their website there is a link titled “Report a Park Maintenance Issue” where you will be asked to submit your email address, your phone number, the park name and your issue.
It’s gross negligence on the city. It’s a lawsuit waiting to happen
Contacted City. They are aware of it and working on it.
Far too often cities do not deal with hazards in a timely manner. As far as painting hazards like that or a crack/lift in a sidewalk; liability attorneys love it as it is an admission of awareness of the hazard.
Glad you are OK but it could have been very bad for you.