I just think that shared used paths (pedestrians and cyclists) don’t work unless there are segregated lanes and even then people just meander between the two.
If the cyclist is wanting to get somewhere at a semidecent speed then yes they generally dont work well but for someone who doesnt cycle a lot going out with their kids etc I think its okay.
Basically commuting/riding in a hurry then use the roads but for pootles/warming up whilst riding out to the tails/crap I forgot my lights and its getting dark they work nicely.
Whatever the theory, may cycle paths have a bubbling undercurrent of anarchy and it's best to approach them with a chilled, flexible attitude and be prepared to slow down / stop / ride off the side of the path as appropriate to ensure your survival. It's a bit like riding a motorcycle on the road, it doesn't matter if you were 'in the right' if you're buried in the side of a car with multiple broken limbs.
My top cycle path horror is the once that runs past the parking on the A57 at Ladybower where cyclists are supposed to ride next to the parked cars making a perfect recipe for being car-doored. I just refuse to do it.
Just do what you must to stay in one piece is my advice.
I just think that shared used paths (pedestrians and cyclists) don’t work unless there are segregated lanes
my favourite are the ones where there is a wide path with a clear, slightly raised white line down the centre.
sometimes it is a "keep left" centre line. Other times it is bikes to one side, pedestrians to the other.
the bonus is that is sometimes communicated by very worn out paint on the path surface, sometimes by raised blue signs. sometimes neither (or worn, obscured or missing), sometimes contradictory.
Agree with the 'keep left and don't be a pillock' around cycle paths.
However, I remind us all that the ability to ride or licence to drive a car has no intelligence test or common sense test built in. Therefore half the people you are sharing the cycle route or road with are below average intelligence.....
.
This was beautifully demonstrated by the Focus RS driver who barrelled through the red light's behind me at the t-junction, then floored it in the 20 zone with shitty cycle infrastructure, to get ahead of me on my bike, only to barely get by and slam on for the mini-roundabout we were approaching, so causing me to brake hard. He did not look as he jumped the red light at way more than 20.
If he had looked he would have noted that the vehicle coming was a) slow to set off and b) a police van setting off from the police station a few hundred metres away. I did of course smile and wave as I overtook the police and now pulled car...
The problem with not riding in a shared path where it's parallel to the road is the abuse you get from motorists. There's a pavement cycle path along the seafront near me (between Hove and Portslade) that I don't use if I've got a tailwind or I'm in a hurry. Drivers are generally pretty good elsewhere but on that bit I get the occasional punishment pass and apoplectic use-the-cycle-path gesture.
I had my worst cycle accident on the cycle lane through the park. I was riding home from work as someone else on a bike was meandering all over the cycle lane avoiding the puddles. I pulled out to ride past them and hit someone coming the other way on a bike. We were both unsighted and didn't have any time to brake or swerve.
I had quite a lot of bruising where I slid forwards until I hit the back of the stem and a black eye and cut on my face.
The other person hit, thought she had hit her head on the ground but I think it was her helmet hitting me in the face.
The frame and forks on my bike were bent.
So be careful on cycle lanes.
I slid forwards until I hit the back of the stem and a black eye
which eye was black?
Let's be honest - most of the anecdotes here stem from really poor infrastructure.
The 'numpties ride bikes and drive cars' issue can be resolved through better infrastructure design, build and maintenance.
I’m quite often in my own little world when out walking – I might suddenly spot an unusual bird, a butterfly or a flower I don’t recognise and will lurch across the path for a better view – I’m often not aware of a bicycle bearing down on me to better the Strava segment for that stretch!
I think there are probably two types of people out in the wild - the ones who behave like this ^, and the ones who wonder why the above are allowed out without supervision.
So be careful on cycle lanes.
...
I pulled out to ride past them and hit someone coming the other way on a bike. We were both unsighted and didn’t have any time to brake or swerve.
And this, folks, is how people get killed on roads.
If you can't see don't go. It's not rocket science, it's barely above 1+1=2.
It's also nothing, at all, to do with being on a cycle path beyond the fact you both managed to walk away.
I used shared use paths a lot and don't often have these issues many of you seem to face all the time. Pwerhaps ITS THE BELL! Get a bloody bell. It really helps
You can't see if you don't ease out to look and the bang. It wasn't a narrow path but if some can't ride a bike straight you have to have a look.
It's all simple sitting at your keyboard. Life isn't.
You can’t see if you don’t ease out to look and the bang.
Then don't ease out. There is no obligation on you to over take.
It wasn’t a narrow path but if some can’t ride a bike straight you have to have a look.
No you don't, if you can't see well enough ease back, leave space and wait.
You'll also find that, from 20m back, your (and that of oncomming traffic) sight line is better and your (and that of oncomming traffic) available reaction time is increased.
It’s all simple sitting at your keyboard. Life isn’t.
Sometimes life is. "I can't see but I'll chance it" really is one of those times.
@V7fmp - People being people! DOn't expect anything and you wont be disappointed!! 😀 The general public are clueless.
I've noticed these ultra bright LED lights are everywhere now its gone dark, but rather than point the lamp at the floor they are always pointing at eye height and are bloody blinding!
You have your opinion, mine perception is different.
You have your opinion, mine perception is different.
Sounds like you needed more perception just before that crash. 😀
You have your opinion, mine perception is different.
You couldn't see.
You pulled out.
You [s] caused an accident. [/s] rode into an oncoming cyclist.
There's not much room for perception or opinion on that.
Had you done that in a car you would have been very likely to have done more than bend the frame and forks of your bike.
I'm very sorry if you don't want to hear it but your opinion is downright dangerous and kills thousands every year.
The one I really don't get on cycle paths is when there is a lined lane on the left hand side of the carriageway why on earth would you even try to cycle the opposite way to the oncoming cars and bikes!
One road I regularly use is a nightmare for this despite quite nice wide lanes on the left hand side in both directions! For full effect no lights in the dark whilst cycling the wrong way wins.
I'm trained to deliver Bikeability. The question came up at my training. The answer is that there is no directive to ride on the left unless the cycleway is marked and that more often than not will be for a cycle / pedestrian split not two way cycle traffic.
One road I regularly use is a nightmare for this despite quite nice wide lanes on the left hand side in both directions!
How busy is the road? Might be an arse to cross over at the point someone wants to.
Ah Bristol-Bath Railway Park, now there's always a good giggle to be had reading the Bristol & Bath Railway Path - OnePath FB page on this.
When walking on the path should I keep left, or keep right?
So which Side would you walk on then 🙂
When walking on the path should I keep left, or keep right?
When walking left right left right left.
Otherwise it's hopping isn't it
I’m quite often in my own little world when out walking – I might suddenly spot an unusual bird, a butterfly or a flower I don’t recognise and will lurch across the path for a better view – I’m often not aware of a bicycle bearing down on me to better the Strava segment for that stretch!
I think there are probably two types of people out in the wild – the ones who behave like this ^, and the ones who wonder why the above are allowed out without supervision.
Wheres that like button 🙂
It the one thing I find weird is this lack of spacial awareness, I did wonder if its a driver thing that walkerists don't get as they don't get driving lessons.
It the one thing I find weird is this lack of spacial awareness, I did wonder if its a driver thing that walkerists don’t get as they don’t get driving lessons.
not necessarily. could just be a mental separation. for them, wondering around a multiuse path, their brain just switches off.
I know a handful of (mountain) bikers who are an absolute liability riding bikes on the road. yet very safe and correct when in their car.
If you ever see a proper-width cycle path with Give Way lines then they’ll be on the left side of the cycle lane. I think that pretty much seals it.
Sure, but most cycle paths aren't like that and most are shared use. Whilst I always keep left on the bike, I don't think it's necessarily reasonable for pedestrians to behave as if they're traffic. As a general rule, if I want to ride quickly, I use the road.
One road I regularly use is a nightmare for this despite quite nice wide lanes on the left hand side in both directions!
How busy is the road? Might be an arse to cross over at the point someone wants to.
The lane isn't wide enough to pass in and leaves you with the choice of both bikes stop or one moves out into the passing cars. It's the wrong side of the road and asking for a crash.
Not quite as scary as the drug dealers on quad bikes though. I generally accept that they have right of way on the cycle paths as rules are obviously not their thing.
I’m quite often in my own little world when out walking – I might suddenly spot an unusual bird, a butterfly or a flower I don’t recognise and will lurch across the path for a better view – I’m often not aware of a bicycle bearing down on me to better the Strava segment for that stretch!
I think there are probably two types of people out in the wild – the ones who behave like this ^, and the ones who wonder why the above are allowed out without supervision.
Needs more recognition.
The answer is that there is no directive to ride on the left unless the cycleway is marked and that more often than not will be for a cycle / pedestrian split not two way cycle traffic.
Ah yes, here is our 'quality' local cycle lane provision.
Please note the 'A9' designation.
Please note the two cycle lanes.
Both are bi-directional and of course shared with pedestrians.
.
As you can tell, the markings, separation, safety when having to cross the road, dropped kerbs, width so that two users can pass safely without having to go into the traffic lane are in line with general good practice around cycle infrastructure.
.
There is a good reason that most mornings I follow other cyclists not using the infrastructure so thoughtfully provided, and why in an evening I choose the 130m climb over the Glen Road instead.
I usually treat them the same as roads, in that I treat everybody as a f***ing idiot that's out to get me, and treat myself like i'm invisible. All the rules, regulations, signs and markings are pretty much pointless if nobody reads them or takes notice of them.Oh, and always give way rather than get involved in an accident.
I sort of like the anarchy of shared paths, I think the way forward is just to accept that "something" is likely to happen, and as long as one party (normally me) is paying sufficient attention it'll mostly be OK and sort itself out.
It's the same with pedestrians who 4 abreast fill the cycle path completely and as you slow down and pull to one side to pass they all just stay exactly where they were and stare at you as if they have no idea what to do 🤷♂️
Then there are those walking on cycle paths or bridleways in beautiful countryside, birds are singing, cows munching grass, the wind is whispering through the leaves....but they are wearing headphones and walking head down staring at a phone and it's the cyclists fault that they jump a foot in the air as you eventually find a section wide enough to pass after ringing a bell, asking politely and even resort to buying a hope hub to announce your approach
I generally keep left, just 'cos I got so annoyed with the chaos and confusion of not having any 'rules'. The only exception are towpaths, where I try to ride on the 'water' side - my reasoning being that 1/2 the handlebar will hang over the canal on narrow sections.
My top cycle path horror is the once that runs past the parking on the A57 at Ladybower where cyclists are supposed to ride next to the parked cars making a perfect recipe for being car-doored. I just refuse to do it.
Though it's usually full of open car doors and folk faffing about so it'a better to ride in the pedestrian bit.
Get a bell and use it properly - takes away almost all the shared path pain. FFS guys - its not hard
Get a bell and use it properly – takes away almost all the shared path pain. FFS guys – its not hard
Then there are those walking on cycle paths or bridleways in beautiful countryside, birds are singing, cows munching grass, the wind is whispering through the leaves….but they are wearing headphones and walking head down staring at a phone and it’s the cyclists fault that they jump a foot in the air as you eventually find a section wide enough to pass after ringing a bell, asking politely and even resort to buying a hope hub to announce your approach
🤷♂️
Nah, bell is definitely the way forward. I've been using one of the cheapo standard issue ones and it does the job. Will upgrade to a nice crane soon.
The one I really don’t get on cycle paths is when there is a lined lane on the left hand side of the carriageway why on earth would you even try to cycle the opposite way to the oncoming cars and bikes!
Dunno, ask Glasgow City Council. Contraflow eastwards on Howard Street (vs First) and the corresponding contraflow westwards on Argyle Street (you guessed it, vs First). Not sure if it still survives but it was there the best part of 20 years.
I sort of like the anarchy of shared paths, I think the way forward is just to accept that “something” is likely to happen, and as long as one party (normally me) is paying sufficient attention it’ll mostly be OK and sort itself out.
I think this is a great demonstration of why bikes are fundamentally different to cars.
If you removed all signs and markings from the roads, bikes would still get around just fine. Car's would be absolute Armageddon. e.g. there's traffic lights near me that are ostensibly in a 40mph limit, they regularly get power cuts. On the "straight through" major road part of the junction drivers seem to believe that if they do 70+ in those conditions then no one will pull out on them 🤷♂️
Get a bell and use it properly – takes away almost all the shared path pain. FFS guys – its not hard
I have a bell, and it's absolutely useless for the large percentage of people wearing headphones. Better than nothing though.
I have a bell, and it’s absolutely useless for the large percentage of people wearing headphones. Better than nothing though.
As I reported on here at the time, earlier in the year I got shouted at for not ringing my bell and surprising a dopey dogwalker as I rode past. I stopped and dinged my bell several times at her saying ‘I did, you ignored me’. She shouted that I needed a louder bell. (Yes, she had been wearing headphones.)
Also, I refuse to ring a bell at people who are facing me. If they can’t use their eyes, then I can’t use a bell.
@IdleJon perhaps you could have quoted my whole post?
“From reading all the above I think there are far more important things to get angry and upset about. Sometimes on cycle paths I like to get some speed up but the thought that slows me to a crawl is “that could be you in front”. I’m quite often in my own little world when out walking – I might suddenly spot an unusual bird, a butterfly or a flower I don’t recognise and will lurch across the path for a better view – I’m often not aware of a bicycle bearing down on me to better the Strava segment for that stretch!
Shouting, swearing, muttering doesn’t help anyone. Be nice, say Hi! (I think I’ve heard that on here somewhere before!)”
Sorry I don’t know how to put it in a quote box thingy, oh yes, I forgot, I sometimes have my two dogs with me - on short leads - and soon my grandson. You bad tempered trail/path users can look out then!
I favour sticking to the left where I can. Around Bristol it's not too bad.
On the Canal du Midi however, that does not work, as I discovered heading towards a grumpy Frenchman cyclist, and my crappy GCSE French did not translate his shouts of 'droit! droit! merde!' fast enough to avoid a head on collision.
Completely my fault, he came off worse. Oops!
He might not have been grumpy beforehand? That’s made me chuckle!
I used to live with the Basingstoke Canal towpath at the end of my street and used to almost daily for 30-odd years, whether commuting by bike, leisure cycling and running so I’m highly familiar with the traits of other users. Regardless of trying to get people to go left, you’d continually encounter those that wanted to go the other way. Mrs DB used to go out with a group of friends power-walking and would regularly complain of the waywardness of other path users. I’d run with my dog in a harness, she’s trained to run on my left and down the left side of a track - we’d be running along the grass at the water’s edge and people would still step across in front - even when running at 10mph. I once has someone attempt to step across between me and the dog in full-flight - luckily I managed to stop before they got taken out. Worst were the groups of bobble-hatters who would bomb-burst in all directions, often criss-crossing in front of each other.
Rider coming towards you in the distance. He's on your right, you're on the left ?
Match him. Shift to the right and follow every time he moves from then on.
