With nice summer weather, children out of school and later sunsets - enabling more people to work out after work - Constitution Trail gets a lot of traffic this time of year.

More than 24 miles of trail make up this popular "linear park" through the Twin Cities.

It is reassuring to hear reports that the volunteer bike patrol in Normal is working well, with no reports of bad incidents taking place.

For the most part, the patrol members have been mostly ambassadors - answering questions, giving directions and reporting minor problems, such as broken glass or graffiti.

But their presence alone can be important as a reminder that someone is watching.

And their bright lime green safety vests, visible from quite a distance, should prompt many cyclists to consider whether their own clothing attracts enough attention when they are off the trail and sharing the road with motor vehicles.

When the idea was launched in March, Normal Police Chief Ken Crutcher said he hoped to have 50 to 60 volunteers. After only a few months in operation, there are already 43 people on the patrol.

Volunteers, who must be 21 or older, must apply in person at the Normal Police Department, 100 E. Phoenix Ave. Training and a background check are part of the process.

We commend the volunteers for giving back to the community and being ready to provide assistance, when needed.

We are glad to hear that having a similar patrol is still under consideration in Bloomington - and hope it moves from the consideration stage to the enactment stage.

Police still patrol the trail - and they should. Volunteers are no substitute for trained law enforcement officers, but they are a valuable addition.

Meanwhile, it remains important for trail users - on foot and on wheels - to use common sense. That includes using the trail only during the hours it is open: one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset. It also means being courteous to others by not traveling too fast and not blocking the trail. Pretend there is a line down the middle, even though there isn't.

Parents should watch their youngsters closely. If you are out on a family bike ride, be sure to teach your children not to ride erratically and turn into the paths of others.

Pet owners should keep their pets on a relatively short leash - for the safety of the pets as well as other trail users - and pick up after them.

And when you see police or volunteers patrolling the trail, give them a smile and a wave of thanks for being there.