Cycle paths - which side - ?

[Jody]

Whichever side the peds aren't on as they have priority regardless of the paint markings

and don't some of them know it.

It would be so much easier if everyone walk/ran/cycled/ on the left and then moved right if needing to go around.

 

[iluvmybike]

Think it is best just be civil and use common sense to whatever you encounter. There's enough angst in the world already to fret about it - at the end of the day it is a shared path whatever the markings may say

 

[Jody]

Always left for me and if someone's coming the other way on the same side, I simply stop and make them go around.

Did that last week. The jogger ended called me a c-unit amongst other things. I only stopped as I didn't want a head on or the merry dance where neither party can make their mind up.

 

[annedonnelly]

I ride on the left and move whereever I need to for pedestrians, children, dogs, horses, etc.
If another cyclist is oncoming I will stick to me left to encourage them over to their left, unless they are kids or look otherwise vulnerable.

The ones I hate are cyclists who stay two abreast oncoming on a path that's too narrow & don't give me as much space as I'd like.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

I think many pedestrians incorrectly take the walk on the right designed for narrow lanes. So they can see and avoid oncoming cars if necessary. Not really of use on a cycle track.

 

[dodgy]

Another thing I see often on cycle paths with pedestrians in couples. You approach them, they see you, all is good - but then they split either side of the track leaving you to have to squeeze between them. At the height of the pandemic before vaccines I would stop and ask them to get to one side , for both our benefit! I still don't like it when it happens now.

 

[Dolorous Edd]

I used to have this problem but now find they get out of my way pretty damn sharpish...

 

[Threevok]

I used to have this problem but now find they get out of my way pretty damn sharpish...

View attachment 611662

Chain-gun's a bit slack

 

[DaveReading]

Many of the cycle paths in this neck of the woods have a cycle symbol on the ground on the left side of whichever direction you're going, thus the 'official advice' is to cycle on the left.

OK, I'll bite - how can the cycle symbol be on the left hand side regardless of which direction you're travelling ?

 

[Ming the Merciless]

You also get the strange behaviour on single track roads with gravel in the middle. They step into the same side as you are riding. The left. Why oh why do you think I want to cross the gravel and ride on the wrong side?

 

[Venod]

You approach them, they see you, all is good - but then they split either side of the track leaving you to have to squeeze between them.

This is a situation that happens to me all the time, its like a skills test to get by them with minimum space.

I always keep left but a lot of cyclists don't seem to realise that's what should happen.

 

[Dolorous Edd]

You also get the strange behaviour on single track roads with gravel in the middle. They step into the same side as you are riding. The left. Why oh why do you think I want to cross the gravel and ride on the wrong side?

Fortunately, an entire genre of bicycles has been created for this specific eventuality.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Fortunately, an entire genre of bicycles has been created for this specific eventuality.

😂🤣

 

[Tenkaykev]

I tend to play it by ear. I’ll usually try to stay left. If there are pedestrians approaching I’ll give them priority, especially if the ground is rough or muddy. If I’m on the road walking and there’s no footway I always walk facing the oncoming traffic as recommended in the Highway Code.

 

[DaveReading]

Like this? (Except this is on the right)
View attachment 611665

Yes, but the thread is about cycle paths shared with pedestrians.