With warmer weather and many residents—including school-aged children—still stuck at home due to the pandemic, many more families than usual are taking to the streets and sidewalks for recreational walking, jogging, or bicycling. As ongoing reopening efforts put more motorists on the road as well, the Guilford Police Department (GPD) and members of Safe Streets Task Force are urging both drivers and walkers to exercise extra caution in the coming weeks and ensure that safety is still the primary goal of everyone sharing Guilford’s roadways.

GPD Deputy Chief Warren Hyatt said the department is well aware of the increase in foot traffic and cyclists, particularly in areas and on streets that in the past have been less well-trodden.

“Always use good common sense,” Hyatt said. “We’ve reminded motorists as well, with the increase with the pedestrians and bicyclists, pay closer attention…If everybody works together on it, we can hopefully maintain some level of safety.”

Hyatt said that so far, the GPD has not seen any noticeable increase in incidents or complaints involving motorists and pedestrian interactions, but he noted that until recently, there were significantly fewer cars on streets than normal due to the pandemic shutdown, which is likely to change.

The Safe Streets Task Force, which was formed about a year ago to study and advise the town on road, sidewalk, and transportation issues, has plans to begin upping its education efforts in the community. Chair Sam Gerritz said that while the group is very happy to see people using paths and roads in town, there needs to be an awareness of proper safety procedure.

“I think it’s all wonderful, but we just want to make sure that people are being safe,” Gerritz said.

One of the big things he and other task force members have observed is people taking walks or jogs on streets, many without sidewalks, they might not have traveled in times of normal traffic.

Doing things like walking or running on the left side of the road, against the flow of traffic, and wearing bright clothing, particularly at dawn or dusk or after dark, can make a huge difference in safety, according to Gerritz.

Cyclists, particularly children, are also out in much greater numbers. Wearing a helmet is required by state law for children under the age of 16. Gerritz said that, unlike many other towns, Guilford allows cyclists on sidewalks and that children in particular should be allowed to do so.

“I would much rather see [kids ride on sidewalks] than in a busy street,” Gerritz said.

As people explore “all limits they can” of Guilford’s sidewalks and roadways during the shutdown, Gerritz also emphasized proper mask-wearing practices for encounters with other pedestrians, especially when walking into the road to avoid a close encounter is inadvisable.

“Either be wearing a mask, or have a mask handy,” Gerritz said. “I wear glasses, so if I’m walking at a decent pace, I start to fog up my glasses. So if there’s nobody around me, I’m not wearing a mask, but if someone is coming within 10 feet of me and I know we’re going to have to pass each other, the mask goes on.”

Hyatt said the GPD had also been aware of occasional issues with pedestrians walking into the streets in order to avoid close encounters with other pedestrians, and they had been working to advise both motorists and walkers to use “common sense” in these situations—motorists by slowing down and pedestrians by not leaping suddenly into a busy thoroughfare.

Task force member Melisa Shaw pointed out that motorists “have a role as well” with all the increase in traffic, including simply driving more slowly. Shaw said that in her experience, motorists in Guilford had done a good job of keeping to the speed limits and respecting walkers or joggers.

Task force member Kimberly Schmid said that while most of her recent interactions with motorists have been “really pleasant,” she actually had felt less respected by motorists before the shutdown.

“When I was the only person on the road in my neighborhood...I found the cars to be really aggressive,” Schmid said. “Honking, angry gestures, so I hope it doesn’t go back to that.”

Legally, motorists have to give cyclists and pedestrians three feet of space when passing, something Gerritz said he didn’t think most people were aware of.

Task force members emphasized again that seeing people get outside was something they were all very excited to see, and hopefully would help residents grow in their appreciation of walking opportunities and the important ways Guilford needs to protect its pedestrians.

With people looking for new places to get outside, they also shared their favorite areas of town to take a stroll.

Shaw said walking down along Seaside Avenue and Whitefield Street to Jacobs Beach was very enjoyable, with the benefit of being able to enjoy Guilford’s beautiful coastline. Schmid recommended walking around the fairgrounds by way of Lover’s Lane and possibly looping around Union Street toward Calvin Leete Elementary.

Gerritz said one of his favorite, lesser-known walks was going from the docks and crossing the bridge over the train tracks near the station, passing through some very quiet and old neighborhoods.