Police have stepped up their presence on the popular Lake Trail after residents reported conflicts between pedestrians and bicyclists.
Police Chief Nicholas Caristo told a town committee last week that officers are on the trail at least twice daily.
More bicyclists are using the trail than a few years ago, he said.
Many of them appear to be out-of-town residents who are bicycling into Palm Beach over the Flagler Memorial Bridge, which was rebuilt a few years ago with wider traffic lanes, sidewalks and bicycle lanes. The Lake Trail is easily accessible from the bridge's landing on the Palm Beach side.
The trail is classified as multi-modal, not a sidewalk, meaning it's legally there for shared use by bicyclists and pedestrians, Caristo said.
The department recently posted additional signs reminding people of the 10-mph speed limit on the trail and that bicyclists are required to yield to pedestrians, he said.
Bicyclists also should use the horn on their bikes or call out to pedestrians when approaching them from behind, he said.
Councilwoman Julie Araskog, who is on the Public Safety Committee, said she knew of one incident when a resident was hit by a bicyclist while walking on the trail.
Caristo said officers are taking every opportunity to educate bicyclists about the rules of the trail.
The matter has been referred to the council's Ordinances, Rules and Standards Committee, which will consider whether to tighten regulations. Mayor Gail Coniglio has called the trail a "speedway" for bicyclists and suggested the council consider lowering the speed limit.
The committee, made up of Araskog, who chairs it, and Councilman Lew Crampton, meets at 9:30 a.m. Thursday. Lake Trail regulations are on the agenda.