The weather is cooling down, but some hotheads still remain as bikers and drivers continue to share the road this month.

A member of the community recently reached out to the San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau to ask what they could do about communicating bicycling safety to both visitors and islanders. The Visitors Bureau let her know that they have a web page filled with bicycling info for visitors, but that they would be happy to take this message a few steps further. They asked their business and non-profit members, via their membership e-newsletter, to please remind their visiting guests on bicycles to ride single file, responsibly, and safely. They also asked Washington State Ferries for their help and WSF agreed. In mid-August, ferry staff began announcing a brief public service statement at each island stop, something to this effect — “If you’re a bicyclist, for your safety, please ride single file since there aren’t any designated bicycle lanes on island roads.”

The Visitors Bureau will work with WSF earlier next year regarding messaging.

Meanwhile, this year, as the summer season slips into fall, islanders can also do their part by being patient and driving safely around bikers.