Downed by a ped on a cycle lane

[jig-sore]

Long, flat, straight, *and* no cars!? Sounds perfect (besides the peds and dogs )

the dogs are not really the problem, it's the little parcels they leave thats annoying, there is plenty of grass down there so there is no real reason to let your dog foul the central path. and they seem to like "adding" their own parcel to existing ones which leaves some areas that need a lot of concentration

 

[purplepolly]

While I agree peds should be (and are) entitled to walk where they want. I find it highly inconsiderate when peds use a space marked out for cyclists, to walk on. They have their own bit that I’m not allowed to ride on!
.

And how many non-cyclists (or even cyclists) know that cyclists can't ride on the other bit? Most don't know that and so won't see it as a problem.

 

[magnatom]

You know when a cyclist says "Peds annoy me, they don't get out the way, they hold me up yada yada yada" it sounds like Car drivers saying "Cyclists annoy me, they don't get out the way, they hold me up yada yada yada".

I don't get why any fast cyclist would use a cycle path, not just the fact you can't (and shouldn't) belt along them but they also seem to be the longest way to get from a to b. Do you ever think what if a kid was to run out when you are hitting over 15mph? Same in your car, if you are in a 30 zone doing over the speed limit do you ever think what if? Cycle paths are good for familys, cyclists who are not sure of roads etc. Want to go fast then go on the road.

+1

 

[yenrod]

+1

I have a bell on my hybrid for when I'm using these types of things. I don't use my road bike on shared use things.

The only bell I have is not on my handlebars.

Some ped/cycleways are as much apain they are a godsend when it comes to being alongside a really fast road.

There are times I'll be on the road and the cars are taking the mick for safety sake - being funny & dangerous so I'll jump on the cycle/ped path instead. Why risk your ass for 'nothing'.

So its worth putting up with the peds etc...and makng sure they see you or shouting !

 

[D4VOW]

Logan5
This forum is occasionally in danger of creating an "I'm a cyclist and therefore I hold the moral high ground and everyone else is stupid, or trying to kill me." attitude. Learn to share. It's much nicer.

You mean it hasn't already. It's that attitude that annoys me the most about this forum, especially this section.

 

[magnatom]

You mean it hasn't already. It's that attitude that annoys me the most about this forum, especially this section.

I honestly don't think that many hold that view. Mutual respect is, I think, is what most people on here want.

 

[simon_brooke]

A bell costs very little, weighs only a few grams and takes up very little space. It provides a relatively polite means of alerting pedestrians to your presence. I even have one on my time trial bike. Pedestrians always have priority on a shared use path. Think about it, on a shared use path they are the more vulnerable users. Slow down, use your bell, give them space.

 

[Bman]

on the subject of bells, I thought they were a legal requirement on new bikes at the point of sale?

 

[PBancroft]

Deleted. Crap post, no point to it, changed my mind.

 

[SavageHoutkop]

bells....

well, yes, bells are a nice idea. I have one on my bike and I do use it too, but do you think anyone notices?

There is a bit on my commute where there is a designated off-road cycle path, and there is a separate pedestrian path. Not that the pedestrians seem to realise. If it's one or two in the path, I don't mind, but I've regularly come across enough blocking the whole lane - completely oblivious to the whole world around them (either due to walking in a cycle path while texting and listening to ipod, or due to being with friends, or generally just not functioning at full speed...).

I have been considering getting the AirZound but I don't think it'd work - the pedestrians on the cycle path would likely freeze like a rabbit in the headlights rather than get out the way.

 

[Bman]

I honestly don't think that many hold that view. Mutual respect is, I think, is what most people on here want.

I'm 100% on that one.

 

[Chris Sirrus]

I have been considering getting the AirZound but I don't think it'd work - the pedestrians on the cycle path would likely freeze like a rabbit in the headlights rather than get out the way.

That's on of the reasons I like bells, they are instantly identifiable with bicycles and people tend to just jump out of the way because they know what's coming.

 

[Bollo]

I have one of those point-of-sale bells on my commuter but its loose so I can't ding it. I gave up with it anyway as the usual response was a volley of abuse. In the end I used to call my bell the 'f**koffotron', because it could magically turn people into potty-mouthed navvies, just by sounding it.

Instead, whenever there's a chance of ped action I take it very easy. That's not just shared use paths either - lurkers on the pavement usually have me covering my brakes. I find that people who cross roads based on a lack of engine noise are the chief danger rather than meandering shared-use peds. Whatever the rights or wrongs, I'd feel a sh1t if I ploughed into someone knowing I could have avoided it.

 

[purplepolly]

well, yes, bells are a nice idea. I have one on my bike and I do use it too, but do you think anyone notices?
.

Some of them probably acn't help ignoring cycle bells on account of being deaf / hard of hearing / going a bit deaf with old age but not acknowledging it although they're relatives have had to shout everything at them for the last 5 years. And then there are people who are beginning to get a bit 'confused' or have learning difficulties and might not realise the finer points of shared path usage. Or if they've got back problems they might not be able to move out of the way quickly. And so on.

Not all pedestrians are the fine examples of well-honed peak physical perfection and mental discipline that are cyclists.

 

[Cubist]

well this is the only other type of cycle path i use on my commute.... (please excuse the dog poop, the photo was taken to prove a point )

)

That ain't dog-poop by the way, that was Thomas trying out his airzound on two elderly pedestrians before cutting right up to the road and out of sight......