Do we need a locked thread about the use of shared cycle paths?

[Katherine]

There's been a lot of threads about shared paths and it would be useful to have a simple list of dos and don'ts, helpful advice etc.
e.g:

• a lot of cyclists keep to the left as they are meant to, but many don't realise that joggers and walkers can go where they want.
• the best way to warn people that you are behind them

• the fact that helmet lights are blinding to cyclists coming the other way
• how to interpret the different types of white lines and give way markings

 

[MontyVeda]

the reason there's lots of threads is because aspects of shared use ettiquette are open for debate, such as the best way to alert pedestrians to one's presence. Some find a bell offensive, others don't, most seem agreed that an airzound is over the top, but some feel it's appropriate, especially for headphone wearers.

 

[Peteaud]

There's been a lot of threads about shared paths and it would be useful to have a simple list of dos and don'ts, helpful advice etc.
e.g:

• a lot of cyclists keep to the left as they are meant to, but many don't realise that joggers and walkers can go where they want.
• the best way to warn people that you are behind them

• the fact that helmet lights are blinding to cyclists coming the other way
• how to interpret the different types of white lines and give way markings

Good idea, when the imbeciles who design them start thinking like normal, rational people.

Keep to the left !

 

[mjr]

I've been told that if a two way track is next to the road, then cycling on the right means less headwind from trucks while salmoning and a handy tow while going the right way.

 

[Katherine]

Fine, if they move over as soon another cyclist comes from the other way otherwise they're being very unhelpful.

 

[andyfraser]

Shared paths are an abomination and should be scrapped. I can ride as slow as I like, be as careful as I like and give way to every pedestrian but they still walk into me because they're more interested in their phones, try to trip me by letting their dog lead stretch across the whole path, let their kids run in front of my front wheel, wander aimlessly with earphones in and much more.

I don't care if I get flamed for this. I cycle on my left and try to follow all the rules but pedestrians can be so frustrating. When I walk I walk on my left and make sure I know what's going on around me, especially if I have earphones in. If there are going to be rules then we need rules to help cyclists as well as pedestrians otherwise I may as well ditch the bike for some journeys or just not bother.

We get treated like second class citizens on roads, partly because we'd lose a fight with 2 tonnes of metal but we get treated like a second class citizen and a menace on shared paths. Consideration from everyone to everyone is what's needed.

 

[ComedyPilot]

Don't take this as getting flamed @andyfraser - like it or not, wandering, meandering, seemingly aimless peds have priority at all times. It is our duty as the faster vehicle to take care around them. We can't expect cars et al to have responsibility towards bikes, and then us not have care towards peds.

Despite their weaving about with no observation peds will always have priority.

 

[Scotchlovingcylist]

Despite their weaving about with no observation peds will always have priority.

And this is why I will generally ride on the road despite the objection from drivers that 'there is a perfectly good cycle path next to the road'

 

[steveindenmark]

Shared paths are not an abomination. They work perfectly well if they are used correctly and no particular group thinks they have domination over it and everyone has consideration for everyone else.

I have been using shared cycle paths in Denmark for 12 years and have not had one single problem or altercation. On the contrary, I have met some very nice people on our cycle paths and have been invited for coffee and cake a couple of times. I was once surrounded by a group of about 30 young French Ladies who were fascinated by the ICE Trike. What a bad cycle path experience that was.

We share our cycle paths with pedestrians and mopeds and we all get on fine. I have bells on all my bikes and when coming up behind peds and pram pushers I give a little ring on my bell. The trick is dont ring aggressively...oh yes you can. It may take a few repeats until they hear me, but who cares? I always say Hi or Thank you as I pass. Moped riders do a similar thing to both cyclists and Peds. Just a little beep of the horn is all that is needed. Some mopeds are so quiet you dont even hear them coming.

My Airzound has sat in the shed since I bought it. Only good for scaring cats off the garden.

To use a cycle path correctly you just need to chill out and be friendly. Either that or get yourself out amongst the traffic.

 

[andyfraser]

Don't take this as getting flamed @andyfraser - like it or not, wandering, meandering, seemingly aimless peds have priority at all times. It is our duty as the faster vehicle to take care around them. We can't expect cars et al to have responsibility towards bikes, and then us not have care towards peds.

Despite their weaving about with no observation peds will always have priority.

I accept that and that is why I'm basically saying shared paths don't always work. They're great for bumbling about on but for commuting I think we need proper cycle paths where bikes have priority alongside roads or footpaths. Recreation verses utility.

There are some fantastic places near me to go for a walk, to walk your dog, to take your family, even to go fishing if that's your thing and what does Sustrans and the council do? They have them designated shared use paths. This causes friction between some pedestrians and some cyclists (I follow the rules, slow do, give way but I still get the fallout because I'm on a bike and the pedestrian I'm passing was almost run over by an idiot the week before) and ruins perfectly good areas.

 

[andyfraser]

Shared paths are not an abomination. They work perfectly well if they are used correctly and no particular group thinks they have domination over it and everyone has consideration for everyone else.

I have been using shared cycle paths in Denmark for 12 years and have not had one single problem or altercation. On the contrary, I have met some very nice people on our cycle paths and have been invited for coffee and cake a couple of times. I was once surrounded by a group of about 30 young French Ladies who were fascinated by the ICE Trike. What a bad cycle path experience that was.

We share our cycle paths with pedestrians and mopeds and we all get on fine. I have bells on all my bikes and when coming up behind peds and pram pushers I give a little ring on my bell. The trick is dont ring aggressively...oh yes you can. It may take a few repeats until they hear me, but who cares? I always say Hi or Thank you as I pass. Moped riders do a similar thing to both cyclists and Peds. Just a little beep of the horn is all that is needed. Some mopeds are so quiet you dont even hear them coming.

My Airzound has sat in the shed since I bought it. Only good for scaring cats off the garden.

To use a cycle path correctly you just need to chill out and be friendly. Either that or get yourself out amongst the traffic.

The key phrase is "everyone has consideration for everyone else". I'd love to know more about how cycle paths/shared paths work abroad. This "pedestrians have absolute right of way" seems to be taken completely to heart by pedestrians to the point where some are, or seem to be or are by accident, completely inconsiderate of cyclists and other pedestrians. But some cyclists are inconsiderate to pedestrians and cyclists. We either need to educate people to be more considerate, enforce rules to govern how to behave on shared paths or we need separate paths. The status quo isn't working very well at all.

 

[Sara_H]

Shared use paths are crap. Most of my route to work is on shared use, which means I have to go very slowly. 4 miles takes about 35 minutes, on a good quality segregated route I reckon I could shave 10 minutes off!

 

[srw]

The key phrase is "everyone has consideration for everyone else". I'd love to know more about how cycle paths/shared paths work abroad. .

In the same way they work here. Sometimes well, sometimes badly. Sometimes people who use them are considerate, sometimes not. Sometimes they're so congested that it would be quicker to walk, sometimes you can blat along for miles at 20mph. Sometimes they're a mess of rough gravel, sometimes a paradise of smooth tarmac.

 

[steveindenmark]

Shared use paths are crap. Most of my route to work is on shared use, which means I have to go very slowly. 4 miles takes about 35 minutes, on a good quality segregated route I reckon I could shave 10 minutes off!

You have not grasped the idea that the shared path is not for your use only. It is not a training ground. They are designed so different groups can get from A to B safely. If you want to train you need to be off the shared paths. Your post seems to be all about speed and shared paths are not about speed. I have huge stretches where there are no pedestrians and I can push on but I have to take my time in other areas. People have the right attitude about shared paths in Denmark. Maybe its attitudes which need to change in the UK and I dont know how to do that.

 

[Sara_H]

You have not grasped the idea that the shared path is not for your use only. It is not a training ground. They are designed so different groups can get from A to B safely. If you want to train you need to be off the shared paths. Your post seems to be all about speed and shared paths are not about speed. I have huge stretches where there are no pedestrians and I can push on but I have to take my time in other areas. People have the right attitude about shared paths in Denmark. Maybe its attitudes which need to change in the UK and I dont know how to do that.

I have completely and utterly grasped the fact, which is why I ride so slowly, so as to avoid putting anyone at risk.
My point is that this is crap provision that slows both cyclists and pedestrians down and causes conflict and increased risk to both users. Seperate facilities would be faster, safer and more convenient for both groups.