Here are a few things you can do to make your time on the trail as safe as possible:

- Walk, Run, or Bike with a friend.  Two people are always safer than going solo.

- If you go solo, tell someone else where you are going and how long you think you'll be gone.  Develop a system so that each time you go out, you call someone before with this information and then you call them when you get back.  Do this everytime and it will become a normal part of your routine.

- Keep one ear open.  In a recent article, an Edwardsville Police Leiutenant advised trail users to keep one earpiece out when listening to music so that you are more aware of your surroundings.

- Carry self defense spray.  BIPOD carries a Red Pepper Self Defense Spray that is easily portable for walkers and runners.

Need someone to walk or run with???

- New!  BIPOD has a sign up list.  You can post your contact info, pace, and ideal times to walk or run.  Contact others who are heading to the trail the same time as you!

- Get your run in, especially your long runs, on Saturday mornings.  BIPOD has a Saturday morning running group that meets every Saturday at 6:45 am. 

If you have any other helpful suggestions, please email us and we can post them here for others to see! 

For more information on the incident referenced at the top, please click here.