Boise River Greenbelt biker dies from head injuries after crashing on uneven pathway

An Emmett woman died of head injuries after she crashed in late August while riding her bike on uneven pavement on the Boise River Greenbelt, KIVI-TV reported Thursday.

Two weeks earlier, another biker crashed in the same area, near Lake Harbor Lane, Doug Holloway, the director of Boise’s Department of Parks and Recreation, told the Idaho Statesman in an email. KIVI reported that both crashes were in the same location, which Holloway said he could not confirm.

The portion of the Greenbelt where the fatal crash occurred has been repaired, Holloway said.

The department, along with the city’s Risk and Safety Team, is responsible for maintaining and upgrading the 25 miles of Greenbelt that Boise controls, and works to identify and repair hazards — but the department does not typically hear about crashes or incidents unless a Greenbelt user reaches out, Holloway said.

The Boise Fire Department responded to the fatal crash, but Holloway said his team learned about it from KIVI’s reporting.

The crashes occurred amid city and county efforts to mitigate speed and congestion on the Greenbelt. Holloway’s team employs “short-term fixes,” smoothing out or highlighting areas of concern with red spray paint to alert users until it can perform repairs, he said. And it’s about halfway through a long-term effort to convert the city’s portion of the path — originally paved with asphalt — to cement. There is no timeline to complete the project, he said.

Donna Simpson, who died the day after she crashed, was not wearing a helmet, KIVI reported. Holloway urged riders to take safety precautions.

“Cyclists should always ride at a speed that is reasonable and conducive to conditions, travel at a speed that matches their skill level, watch for fallen debris from trees, be aware of tunnels and blind corners, and as always, be aware there are other users on the Greenbelt at the same time,” he wrote. “Wearing safety gear, including helmets, is also highly recommended.”

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