Lake Links safety report

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1	LAKE LINKS SAFETY REPORT - near misses, safety suggestions, and accidents , action plans							date	Jul 21 2025
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3	item#	location	Date	Injuries	Type : Near miss, safety suggestion , accident report, other	Details	Action plan :	Responsible person	Completion date:	Open/closed	Source

4	1	Briarwood	Oct 2019	N	safety suggestion	Sharrows were wrongly placed in road (too close to gutter)	City of Mahtomedi repainted correctly Oct 2019	Goebel	31-Oct-2020	closed
5	2	Briarwood	Oct 2019	N	safety suggestion	Blind summit on road ; drivers may overtake and collide with oncoming bikes, ped, cars	None - Steve W indicated too low traffic volume to justify measures	-	31-Oct-2020	closed
6	3	Quail crossing	Oct 2019	N	near miss, safety suggestion	Vegetation hides the trail crossing from both E and W bound cars	City cut back and removed vegetation	Goebel	31-Oct-2019	closed	Ian Harding
7	4	Quail crossing	Oct 2019	N	safety suggestion	Earth bank and road curvature hides N half of trail crossing from drivers on Quail coming E bound	SUGGEST: Install flashing beacon at crossing so E bound drivers have an alert of S bound trail users ; also cut back vegetation and the earth banks hiding the view of the crossing. This flashing beacon was strongly recommended to city council discussion Apr 6 workshop (funds from the existing state grant to Mahtomedi for Lake Links trail). May 16 City council discussed this crossing and revised the speed limit to 20 mph along Quail from 244 to Briarwood as one of the new speed limit policy special cases . Oct 2021 - installation of flashing beacon is complete	City of Mahtomedi/ WSB	Sept 30 2021	closed
8	5	N end of 244	various	Y	accidents and near misses	narrow shoulder and utility poles along N end of 244 make for very hazardous riding / walking; accident in 2014 with injuries to biker, numerous near misses; also exit from Meadow (both sides of the road ) is dangerous and there have been 2 serious collisions (according to one resident in last 10-15 years) 1 car totalled in 2000 exiting Meadow	mark up this issue on the trail maps and continue to advocate for trail along 244; alert Focus Engineering to this issue of limited sighlines ; ensure that trail crossing and intersection has adequate sighlines and traffic calming measures are undertaken ; RRFB for the trail crossing in future. work with MNDOT and Bensons to cut back vegetation at the corner; Brooks working with MNDOT to get crash data for 244 in Dellwood	Harding/ Brooks / Focus Engineering/ Bensons/ MNDOT	TBD brush removal March 2023 ?	open	resident at 22 Dellwood Ave input the history on collisions from vehciles exiting meadow with high speed 244 traffic at LL ride july 17th 2021 . Resident will be looking into getting data from Washington County sheriff speed monitoring trailer
9	6	White Bear Yacht Club on 244	July 2018	Y	accident	biker knocked to ground by WBYC inbound car	this is a busy area and narrow ; need to make sure that there is good flow and separation of trail users and WBYC turning vehicles; WBYC have suggested that a tunnel (as used along hwy 96 in Dellwood ) might be a good option to separate cross traffic (peds/carts etc) from trail users and road users	OPEN ( hwy 244 section Design team)		open	see google form report
10	7	S Shore / Century ave curve	various	Y	numerous accidents (including major 1 car crash W bound May 2021)	fender benders when cars coming down the hill don't make the curve and hit the guardrail	design of trail would preferable be one way (E bound) to eliminate the issue of cars coming W bound and sliding ; trail design should be wider on the hill (weaving uphill bikers 2 uphill lanes? ) to better separate high speed downhill bikers; hill and curve section should avoid any stopping places or else make them suitably large , steep hill signs ? All the above have been input on the public input map for the project and been discussed with K-H. 2024 UPDATE : 2 way reminder and CAUTION STEEP HILL SIGNS to be installed after the turnback Sept 2024? Ramsey County is not willing for LL to use existing posts and they don't want to install . WBTownship does not want to stripe trail (maintenance expense)	Kimley Horn is design engineering firm working for Ramsey County		closed	see google form report
11	8	Covered bridge	Jul 2020	N	safety suggestion, near miss	the bridge has an opening of 48" vs the trail with of 125" prior to the bridge and 108" of the inside of the bridge itself. The entry railings stick out 30" on each side . There is no signage or white line edge markings to indicate this 61% redduction in trail width which is required by the AASHTO guidelines . 2 trail users at july ride indicated their concerns about this hazard. There is no lighting in the area and a bend in the trail so visibility of this width reduction is reduced	per LL Board meeting 2-8-2021 open up bridge to 60" wide (min per AASHTO) , add reflectors (8) on 4 uprights , add "narrow bridge ahead" signs (both directions) . Bridge closure for events and detour signage plan suggested for City operations. Night time nlighting may be added in future. Plan communicated to City of Mahtomedi public works on 2-11-2021. Bridge has been opened up to 60" and 4 reflectors have been installed as of 4-12-2021. Last 4 reflectors are now in place (aug-2021)	Bob Goebl, City of Mahtomedi	Widening of opening complete 3/11; reflectors 4 out of 8 done ;	Closed
12	9	Birchwood road	Oct 2020	N	safety suggestion	many obstacles too close to the narrow trail; including open sharp sided culverts, fence, mailboxes and one fire hydrant . The spec is that obstructions should be at least 2' from the trail and if not there should be white lines (6" wide painted to highlight the hazard). Unmarked drop offs , no markings on obstructions. Need sharrows on road and center line, Speed limit sign missing in Mahtomedi	need to paint the correct obstruction lines per AASHTO Guide to Development of BIke Facilities section 5; need to add hazard markers , need to mark vehice lanes and install speed limit signage : meeting on site (WSB eng (Guiliams, Sachi), City of Mahtomedi (Bob Goebel) and Ian Harding March 31st developed detailed action plan to be implemented in ~ 1 month . Actions done (4/19) : turtle sign remounted to be off the trail ; wooden mailbox posts cut back . Concrete work done, centerline striping and drain locations marked in yellow ; reflectors installed (July 2021) 20mph speed limit signs installed July 22 2021	City of Mahtomedi/ WSB	May 31 2021 ?	closed	complaint from public: 2020-11-10 22:32:43Name BW subject matterbirchwood road lost lake section of the lake links trailMessageI have been observing the completion of the birchwood road improvement in Mahtomedi and the associated section of the lake links trail. While everything looks slick, precise and new, this new section of trail has made this an unfriendly route for bicyclists. Mail boxes project out close to the paved trail which is only 8' wide. There are now four projections into the line of travel created by 6"x6" posts, that austensibly protects the trail traveler from crashing into the culvert off the edge of the trail. These projections however, create a problem as great as the original by projecting out into the line of travel with a hard, dangerous obstacle. This narrowing of the road and associated narrow trail with projections close or into the trail have made this a dangerous, undesireable section of the bicycle route around the lake. This is very poor compromise for bicycle travel.
13	10	Covered bridge area and Lake Avenue	July and Nov 2020	N	near miss, safety suggestion	Biker had very close near miss when passing group of pedestrians on curves near covered bridge in N Mahtomedi; incidents with bikers reported travelling on Lake Avenue shared path with high pedestrian usage at high rates of speed; other incidents observed in same locations and reported on nextdoor ; general concern in community about conflict on shared use paths as they get busier	1). publish and promote trail etiquette (all users stay to the right except when passing, slow down when passing, bikes to call out when passing on the left, those being passed to be attentive (no head phones, dogs on short leash) and acknowledge etc ) via WB Press article , Nextdoor app (DONE) and Lake LInks website (DONE) 2) push City of WBL and Mahtomedi to get trail rules signs posted so all are aware of expectations (keep right, share , pass on left when safe, slow down when busy) 3) because of S Shore and Lake Avenue being one way suggest that bikers and other wishing to move at >15 mph proceed CCW around the lake and take the vehicle lane (DONE) 4) request that City of WBL install sharrows and "bikes may use full lane " signs for S bound Lake Avenue (and E bound S Shore Blvd when done) , 5) request that City of mahtomedi install sharrows and "bikes may use full lane" signs for Birchwood rd (both directions)(DONE in Mahtomedi) . 6) follow up if possible with any persons needing reminding of etiquette (ongoing; DONE for Nov 2020) 7) get cities involved to stripe center lines (dashed on straights and solid on curves)	Lake Links board : City of Mahtomedi, City of WBL, other trail section owners as needed	etiquette on maps and in blog posts May 2025 ongoing in WBL ; done in Mahtomedi	closed	complaint via Nextdoor. (several persons)
14	11	Mahtomedi Streets (Park Ave, Birchwood Rd, Briarwood , Quail etc)	Sept 2020	N	safety suggestion	lower speed limits on city owned minor streets to 20 mph and major streets to 25 mph to improve bike , ped, roll and vehicle safety; applies to Lake Links trail streets and crossings and users approaching the trail	propose and push for 20 is plenty policy (fall 2020); city council undertook study by WSB; resolution discussed and approved May 2021 by city council ; signs to be ordered , policy to be communicated and implemented in June/July 2021 ; flashing speed limit sign to be purchased by Mahtomedi public works for use around the city to help control speeding	Mahtomedi public works	31-Jul-2021	closed
15	12	Hwy 96	July 2021	N	safety suggestion	potholes on shoulder (from when cars drive off the shoulder to pass stopped cars ) make it very narrow for bikes to pass on the right of the new delineator posts	ask MNDOT to fill the potholes; request put in and acted upon 4 days later by MNDOT	MNDOT	July 10 2021	closed	Ian harding
16	13	Hwy 244 N end	July 2021	N	safety suggestion	need to cut back overgrowing vegetation along N end of 244	put in online request to MNDOT and they cut back veg within 72 hrs on W side .Sent thank you note. Now need to work on N side and improve sightlines for blind bend plus cut back veg that hits bikers on edge of road (244 N from driving range) . Talked to MNDOT by phone on 7-21-2021>. MNDOT don't want to do anything on N side of road since they don't own the land . LL will work with land owner to see what can be done	MNDOT and Lake Links	remove brush at corner ?with landowner permission	closed no action on N side of raod by MN Dot	Ian Harding
17	14	ISD 832 district center N exit	July 2021	N	safety suggestion	exit is overgrown on N side ; no stop bar marking on the exit lane, stop sign is 8' too far W (it should be at the E edge of the ped crossing markings)	Adam (facilities manager at ISD832) has arrange for the veg to be cut back. MN DOT moved the stop sign to E side of ped crossing and installed new sign 9-1-2021 . MNDOT siad they don't do stop bars in this situation.	Adam Gemunden at ISD832; Adam Josephson at MNDOT	Sept 3 2021	closed	Ian Harding
18	15	S Shore blvd / Old White bear ave/ Mark Sather trail/Lake view Ave	July 2021	N	safety suggestion /. near miss	corner of trail and S 100' of Mark Sather trail (from S Shore Blvd to just N of Lakeview Ave is overgrown from the E side of trail and reduces sightlines for trail and vehicles exiting lakeview ave as well as presenting a blind corner hazard for trail users	Ian took pictures on 7-17-2021 and put in a request to WBL City public works on line on July 17th. City of WBL has replied and a work order is in system; ian followed up with on site visit on 7-21	City of WBL public works	done ; may need doing again in 2023 by trail ambassadors	closed	complaint by Dianne Kippe resident of 2146 Lakeview
19	16	Briarwood crossing	July 2021	N	safety suggestion	There are no painted markings on the street to show the trail pedestrian crossing of the road at the N end of Briarwood .	Ian emailed City of Mahtomedi Public works in July 2021 ; this is on the list of ped crossings to be marked in July /Aug 2021. DONE Sept 2021	Bob Goebel City of Mahtomedi Public works	Sept 2021	closed
20	17	Quail crossing	July 2021	N	safety suggestion; complaint	Contractor (Shifsky) doing the Quail street rebuild closed the trail for 3+ months and made it impassablefor many (especially ADA patrons) , blocked it with piles of dirt and equipment . No alternate routes were posted .	MAGI / LL group went to city council in Sept and asked for a policy to be initiated for proper detours to be established with ADA facilities and signage plus notification for any future trail/sidewalk closures. LL/MAGi (Ian H and Paul H) are working with the city to establish such a policy to avoid issues in the future. Update Dec meeting with WSB (Sachi and Guilliams) ; they agreed to add suitable language to city contracts . That language has not been shared . It is unknown whether it will be effective . Lake links will monitor during the 2022 construction season to see if new contract language is effective in Mahtomedi. Lake Links will proactively work with Ramsey County to ensure proper detours (signage and communication) are in place for the minimum time along S Shore during construction	Ian Harding, City of Mahtomedi	March 2022	closed
21	18	Quail and District Center	Dec 2021	N	safety suggestion	There are 2 grates alongside the trail (20' N of Quail crossing and by district center (N end) that have large holes 2.5" x 2" and greater that pose a hazard to dogs that wander just 2' off the trail	Met with Bob Goebel on 2-2 2022 He will talk to the city supplier of catch basin grates to see if they have alternatives; City does not wish to pursue ; no easy options	Bob Goebel City of Mahtomedi Public works	1-Apr-2022	closed	Barbara Black email of 2021
22	19	South Shore Blvd	June 2024	N	safety suggestion	motorbikes are using the trail	request sent to WBT (June 21 2024) and City of White Bear Lake (in progress) to put up "no Motorized vehicles" signs on each end of sections of trail (Century to Bellire and interemediate ?, Bellaire to Mcknhight , McKnight to White Bear avenue. WBT reluctant without more data; WBT advised residents to report on 911 . LLA will log such incidents as are reported to LLA by loal residenst (Hart and Bartz); no more reports as of March 2025	White Bear Township, City of WBL	15-Aug-2024	closed	jennifer Hart email of June 18 2024
23	20	Birchwood rd	June 2024	N	near miss, safety suggestion	sharp edged (2" step) pothole across 25% of trail at intersection with Lost Lake Court due to poor repair after contractor work	sent emial JUne 23 2024 to B Goebel for repair to be done. FIXED July 2024	City of Mahtomedi Public Works	15-Jul-2024	closed	Ian Harding on trail sunday june 23
24	21	South Shore Blvd	June 2024	N	provision of dog waste bags at Bellaire Beach park and Lions Park to help keep the trail cleaner	no dog waste bag stations and lots of dog walkers ; dog waste stations have bags and messaging about the importance of clenaing up	Lake Links will donate 1 station and supplies to each LGU (one for City of WBL and one for WBT) . Donation proposal letters sent June 23 2024. Check of $526.95 to WBT to be mailed June 2024 for them to implement at Bellaire Beach . DONE July 2024 by WBT; City of WBL complete Sept 2024	WBT and City of WBL		closed
25	22	Birchwood rd	June 2024	N	safety suggestion	some new mailboxes alongside the trail . Now 4 . They all need reflectors and /or warning strips since they are within 2' of the trail surface	need to alert city of issue ; city doesn't want to install	City of Mahtomedi Public Works	1-Oct-2024	closed	Ian Harding on trail sunday june 23
26	23	South Shore Blvd	July 2024	N	near misses	fast bikes are a problem for cars exiting blind driveways along N side of the trail ;	Ramsey County installed "slow down 10 mph blind driveways signage " all along SSB (July 2024), Lake Links suggestion is that faster bikers go around lake in counter clockwise direction and use the vehicle lane along SSB	Ramsey County ?	1-Jul-2024	closed
27	24	Covered bridge	June 2024	N	near misses	stop sign at N end of trail as trail exits onto Briarwood (50' E of covered bridge ) is missing and vegetation along Briarwood restricts visibilty of vehicles . Reports by local residents of near misses	cut back vegetation (buckthorn on city property (done June 27th) ; send email with photo of stop sign that was there in Oct 2020 requesting repplacement stop sign and or STOP lettering on trail. REPLACEMENT STOP sign installed July 2024	City of Mahtomedi Public Works	done July 2024	closed
28	25	South Shore blvd (2249)	July 2024	Y	1 broken arm and broken finger transported to hospital (July 2023) ; other incidents have been mentioned ;	the concrete aprons leading to the trail/driveways along the N side of the road have a severe 2" step that is throwing riders off their bikes . On the other side of the road the concrete aprons have no such step they are smooth. This 2" step is particularly dangerous if approached at other than perpendicular to the step since it throw the front wheel sideways and the bicyclist goes down hard onto the concrete .	a comment on FB was oberved by Lake Links (Str Tribune post of July 27 2024); followed up with injjured party and took on site pictures . Step is 2" high and sharp. This step exists on every driveway apron on N side of SSB; these aprons are used to access the trail from the road.Ramsey county were advised July 31st and reviewed on site on Aug1 and their contractor will be taking corrective action for all the aprons (reduce the step to < 1/2"). LLA followed up with Ramsey County every 4 weeks ; latest update from JohnM Ramsey County : Nov 1 is :Ramsey Cty is working with the general contractor who incorrectly installed the aprons. They had a subcontractor do the actual installation and they are currently working with them on resolution. It has become a legal matter and I cannot really describe more then that. In the meantime, we encourage bicyclists to utilize the accessible ramps at intersections as much as possible to avoid the lips in the private driveway aprons. As the corrective action gets closer to resolution, we will keep you informed.(John M 11/1/2024). Issue raised to push for resolution April 2025 with new county commissioner . May 2 2025 see may 2 update on blog https://www.lakelinks.net/post/copy-of-safety-advisory-for-south-shore-boulevard-with-december-18th-update . Updated blog with news about the fix and cuation for all riders about apporach angle to steps/cracks etc	Ramsey County Cory Richter and contractor	6/30/2025?	closed fixed july 7 2025	FB Star Tribune article,on Lake LInks comment July 27 2024; contractor did not follow the specification (all steps to be < 1/2")
29	26	244 in N Mahtomedi	August 2024	N	Many bikers and runners are still using the curvy narrow hilly section from Dwinnell to Quail/Neptune rather than using the trail	need to make folks aware of safer option S Bound to take trail either at Echo through the woods or at Dwinnell , and N bound to take trail at Neptune .	. Contacted MNDOT Adama Josephson with request to put Brown Lake lInks Trail signs with arrows along 244 in Dellwood and N Mahtomedi directing folks to the trail; MNDOT doesn;t approve LL signs	MNDOT indicates we need permission from Dellwood ; no action at this time since Dellwood needs to decide on trai or not		open
30	27	Trail 20' S of Quail RRFB	August 22,2024	N	Tree roots have made 2 sharp bumps in the trail	need to smooth out the trail.	Aug 26 th visit with Bob Goebel spray painted hot pink the hazard. Public works crews will smooth out tril by Nov 15, completed	Mahtomedi public works	Nov 2024	closed	Blanche Hawkins email of Aug 20 2024
31	28	244 Meadow	July 2025	N	vegetation needs to be cut back on W side of road and big sharp pothole at Meadow on W side of road	reported to MNDot	Reported to MN Dot via their on line system ; action taken and fixed both veg and pothole in time for July 2025 ride	MNDOt	July 10 m2025	closed	Ian Harding
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33	Open	3
34	Closed	25
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