I use shared paths on most days as part of my journey. In my case the main ones either run along side dual carriageway (ring road path), or run away from roads making a pleasant and convenient route (Bristol and Bath railway path or Concorde way)
Pedestrians aren't a major problem generally as you say they can go across your path but the majority are fine and you just slow down around them. But the ones in la-la land on headphones (music so loud you can hear it but they can't hear a thing) are a pain, doesn't matter how slow you go past the they can jump out of their skin just because they are so unaware of what's going on around them, and that includes other pedestrians as well.
When two pedestrians are chatting my technic is to cycle slowly behind listening to their conversation intently and then laugh at the appropriate moment. They move out of the way when they realise you are evesdropping
And I get to practice my slow bike skills in the meantime!
