Originally Posted by
The Human Car
Update:
The best I could understand from Fred was that he still has not heard officially what MNCPPC concern is and why the limited hours. I believe he went on to speculate that the lack of funds for trail lighting, added security and the increased liability might be the issue. It seemed to me that MBPAC subcommittees were supportive of 24 hour access of the trails as is, with a ride at your own risk type of thing (in law it will probably be something like parks should take reasonable precautions to keep trail riders safe at night within their ways and means.) (The same patrol ticketing cyclists could be used to keep cyclists safe.)
Apparently the Massachusetts Ashuwillticook Rail Trail has a similar closed during hours of darkness rule with an exception for bicycle commuters with "appropriate" lighting being permitted on the trail at their own risk. In this case I assume appropriate means being in compliance with Massachusetts state law for night time bicycle use. Would that type of explicit exception still entail legal liability for the MNCPPC?
http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/western/asrt.htm
http://www.malegislature.gov/Laws/Ge...r85/Section11b