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Resident describes collision with fast bicyclist on Wanaka Lake Trail and questions police response
Summary
A resident told council a bicyclist struck him on a steep section of Wanaka Lake Trail in June; he says video evidence was submitted to police but the case was deactivated after an officer concluded municipal code required him to step aside. The speaker urged stricter enforcement of an existing 15 mph trail speed rule.
A Lafayette resident told the City Council on Aug. 5 that he was struck by a bicyclist on June 12 on a steep stretch of the Wanaka Lake Trail and criticized the police response and enforcement of trail rules.
"This biker violated every aspect of that municipal [ordinance]," said Mike Page, who said he had submitted video evidence of repeated reckless behavior by the same rider and reported a collision on June 12. Page said the investigating officer initially recorded an incident (incident number 202501830), took a photograph of his injury and advised him to call dispatch if the biker returned.
Page said the police later deactivated the case after reviewing video footage and concluded, citing municipal code provisions, that he had not moved out of the way and therefore bore responsibility for the collision. He said that was "classic blaming the victim" and that the biker failed to yield: "Yielding the right way requires slowing down to a safe speed, being prepared to stop, establishing communication and passing safely."
Page also noted that city ordinance No. 9, adopted June 26, 2023, set a 15 mph speed limit for bicycles on Wanaka Lake Trail and other city trails; he described e‑bikes and reckless riding as an increasing problem that had changed how he uses the trail.
Council did not debate or direct immediate enforcement changes during public comment. Page said he would continue to report the rider when he sees him.
