As the weather warms, more and more people are hitting the roadways and trails on their bicycles. With that in mind, the Ironton Rail Trail Oversight Commission partnered with Trek Bicycle Allentown for a bike safety day and group ride May 3.

A handful of bikers braved cooler, breezier conditions for a group ride around the trail that started from Saylor Park in Coplay. Meanwhile, booths set up at Saylor Park offered the opportunity for people to receive bike safety inspections, learn how to fix a flat tire and have bells installed on their bicycles.

“We are concerned about safety,” said Ray Deutsch, IRT commission member, noting 250,000 people use the trail in some form or fashion each year. “We have speed limit signs on the trail and a radar sign up to let people know how fast they are going. One of the big things we are concerned about is people passing, without warning, with bikes. Also, a lot of people wear earbuds, and they do not hear people.”

Volunteers are currently in the process of posting signs around the trail to remind people of safety guidelines for everyone’s benefit, Deutsch said.

On those signs, the rail trail encourages several guidelines to keep the trail safe for both walkers and bicyclists. Recommendations include staying to the right and passing on the left, calling out when passing, staying single file near others, maintaining lower headphone volume, keeping pets leashed, being courteous and being mindful of Americans With Disabilities Act trail users.

Additionally, e-bike riders are asked to follow Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources guidelines. The trail has a 15 mph speed limit.

The Ironton Rail Trail serves as a tremendous resource for bicyclists, said John Cool, who both volunteers with the IRT and works with Trek Bicycle.

“I actually moved near here during COVID in 2020 for these trails like the Ironton Rail Trail and the D&L (Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor) Trail because I am an avid cyclist,” Cool said. “Everybody is friendly and just out here doing their thing, getting exercise and enjoying the trail.”

The event also gave people an opportunity to test out e-bikes courtesy of Trek Bicycle Allentown.

“We have different class e-bikes, and we are explaining to people what the different classes are, what the requirements are and how to ride them safely, just giving them the opportunity to experience them in a safe atmosphere,” Cool said.

Additionally, Trek Bicycle Allentown offers regular rides along the IRT, said Justin Mai, store manager. Those rides typically occur monthly on the first Sunday; more information is available on the store’s Facebook page, he said.

The 9.2-mile Ironton Rail Trail, which links the communities of North Whitehall Township, Whitehall Township and Coplay Borough with a 5.2-mile loop and 4-mile spur, has both ADA-compliant-grade and multiple handicap-accessible access points along its route in order to accommodate trail users of all ages and physical abilities.

Anyone interested in getting involved with the Ironton Rail Trail Oversight Commission as a volunteer, member or sponsor for a specific trail activity can call 610-437-5524. More information can also be found on the trail’s website at irontonrailtrail.org.