WDEF News12: Jogger Takes Issue with Bicyclists

Don Lastine is an avid jogger who insists he is not anti-bicycle. He’s just upset because bicyclists have almost run him over. Don Lastine “I’m a big guy, if they’re gonna hit me, it’s gonna be a shared pain,” he says. Lastine says he and his friends have had too many close calls on Chattanooga’s Riverwalk. The eight mile stretch of track is a popular site for pedestrians and bikers. “I’m worried about someone getting hurt…Sometimes the passing is not done very safely,” Lastine says.

His concerns have taken him to Park Officials, where he’s proposed several solutions. One is to designate separate times for joggers and cyclists. Another is to force bikers to register with the county.

‘Like a license plate. 3 bucks and you get if for a year…not something that is expensive, just a way to keep track.” But bikers say it’s never been an issue. Ed Juarbe: “We have no problem with joggers Uhh like I said we bikegive each other space. We’ve biking here for months and we never had any problems.”

Donnie Sisk: “I dont’ want to just ride up on them and scare them as I go by them. I make a noise.” Don Lastine: “Just call out. Give us some warning and we’ll get out of your way. And a lot of times the little bells don’t do it.” Lastine says he doesn’t want to get in anyone’s way, but he doesn’t want to get hurt either. He just hopes everyone obeys the rules of the road and keeps the Riverwalk Safe.