Tell Hetrick

Perhaps no one in Indianapolis noticed the seasonal shortening of days more than the 50-some bike commuters who were ticketed recently when they chose the Monon Greenway as the safest route to work instead of busy rush hour streets. Under the banner of public safety, city policy prohibits the use of Indy Parks trails between sunrise and sunset. This policy closes a major corridor for commuting cyclists now that winter is coming, a problem made worse by Daylight Saving Time. Soon, the rides to and from work will be by moonlight, and what then?

DST isn’t the problem. Indianapolis needs to recognize the Monon for what it has become—a commuting corridor for cyclists whose only other options are heavily trafficked Keystone or College avenues.

To its credit, the city forgave all tickets issued in the past few weeks, and discussions regarding changes to the policy are taking place. So what do you think? Should the trail be open after dark? Should the city require commuters to register for a special after-dark pass? Should people simply be responsible for their own safety?