Child Bicyclists Menacing Southington's Hiking Trails: Councilman

SOUTHINGTON, CT — Hikers, walkers, and joggers on Southington hiking trails have been besieged by minors riding their bikes on local hiking trails and causing disruptions to trail use.

According to Southington Town Councilman Michael Delsanto, who heads the council's public works subcommittee, social media chatter in town is indicating a preponderance of children on bikes "riding their bikes on the trail and disrupting traffic" and impacting those using the trails on foot.

DelSanto made the assertion during his report at the July 14 Southington Town Council meeting, the last time the board met.

"I know there has been some kerfuffle on social media sites on young children riding their bikes on the trail and disrupting traffic," Delsanto said.

While bikes, generally, are allowed on public hiking trails, riders must abide by certain protocols and etiquette, namely, not causing any disruptions for fellow trail users.

Delsanto said the subcommittee, which last met July 2, discussed the matter with Southington Police Department Chief John F. Daly, who is "fully aware of what is going on."

Delsanto said cracking down on trail disruptions is a "high priority for them right now, and they are on top of it."

According to Delsanto, police have made some arrests against juveniles, adding that police told him the "biggest difficulties" are with the parents of the children.

Meanwhile, he said the police "are stopping children who are not wearing helmets as well as educating children" on trail bicycle safety.

Said Delsanto, "So it's absolutely on their radar and their working on some sort of a resolution so this does not continue to occur."

Southington is home to 4.6 miles of the Southington Linear Trail, which runs from the Cheshire/Southington town line to Lazy Lane.

The trail is part of a "rails to trails" network linked to the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail.

Council members took no action on the situation, with police already engaging in enforcement regarding the trail use.

For the minutes of the July 14 Southington Town Council meeting, click on this link.

For more information on Southington's trails, click on this link.