Dangers on the Mattapoisett Rail Trail sparked a discussion with the Friends of the Bike Path President Bonne DeSousa and the Board of Selectmen on Tuesday, April 10.

DeSousa and the Selectmen agreed that there is an issue with bicyclists disregarding road laws where the trail intersects with Brandt Island Road and Mattapoisett Neck Road.

Selectman Tyler Macallister said a stop sign on the trail by Mattapoisett Neck Road is chronically ignored by bikers of all ages.

“I’m getting more concerned as a lot more people have started to use the path,” said Macallister.

“I’ve seen it come too close too many times. It’s a difficult balance between the cars and the bikes with the bike path like that.”

Macallister said that something needed to be done to get cyclists to stop, even putting up a physical barrier that would require them to dismount before continuing.

DeSousa said the Friends have a few ideas, including putting up more effective signage and possibly a pedestrian crossing sign in the middle of the road.

But she said, safety is in the hands of the bicyclists.

“It’s really up to the bicyclists to be good bicycle riders,” DeSousa said. “I don’t know how anybody can control anybody else.”

The most important thing, she said, is to educate the community.

“Educating and creating a knowledgeable bicycling community is the only thing that’s going to make the difference,” she said.

The Friends are meeting monthly with similar organizations in local towns DeSousa said.

The Friends are collaborating with the YMCA to host a community bike ride and information session on June 24.

“We’re pooling our resources to promote a bike friendly South Coast,” she said.