PUBLISHED: March 3, 2021 at 5:03 p.m. | UPDATED: March 4, 2021 at 6:22 a.m.
In a statement, police said officers responded to Tilden Regional Park’s Nimitz Way trail around midday last Friday and learned that a 62-year-old woman had been hiking when a bicyclist struck her from behind. Both fell to the ground, but the bicyclist got up and asked the hiker if she was okay before riding away northbound on Nimitz Way.
Berkeley Fire Department firefighters also responded to the scene, treating the hiker for a small cut to her head before releasing her, police said.
Police released a limited description of the bicyclist as a white male in his thirties, riding a lighter green bicycle and carrying a dark navy-colored backpack.
Anyone who visited the park’s Inspiration Point or Nimitz Way between 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., or who may recognize him, may call the parks police department’s anonymous tip line at 510-690-6521.
Parks spokesman Dave Mason said Wednesday that the parks system has seen about a 30 percent increase in visitors since last year’s start of the COVID-19 pandemic, with only “amount of trail conflicts and safety issues.” “This one is a good example,” Mason said. “Thankfully, she’s okay.”
Mason said most visitors have been heeding increased park signage for pandemic-safety restrictions, as well as a “pup pro” campaign meant to urge visitors to leash up dogs around cattle: “We all just need to be mindful in parks and follow the rules, slow down, follow speed limits and be aware for hikers, just be good visitors.”
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