Oncoming cyclist - pass which side

[Pat "5mph"]

While I was running along the canal path a couple of weeks ago I saw a cyclist coming towards me at speed. He was about 200 m away so I moved over to the left as this is Britain and we go on the left.

You must be a unique runner, because, without fail, every single runner I see on shared pavements or paths, run/jog either on the right or firmly in the middle.

 

[Mo1959]

You must be a unique runner, because, without fail, every single runner I see on shared pavements or paths, run/jog either on the right or firmly in the middle.

Agree. I always thought walkers and runners usually stuck to the right so they could face oncoming traffic.

 

[Pat "5mph"]

Agree. I always thought walkers and runners usually stuck to the right so they could face oncoming traffic.

Yes, that's what you should do on a narrow country road with no pavement, gives you a chance to see incoming motorized traffic instead of the danger of being hit from behind.
Running on the Forth and Clyde Canal, on the other hand, does not present such dangers

 

[Mo1959]

Yes, that's what you should do on a narrow country road with no pavement, gives you a chance to see incoming motorized traffic instead of the danger of being hit from behind.
Running on the Forth and Clyde Canal, on the other hand, does not present such dangers

Suppose not. Lol, but if you are a regular runner, I think it would still be ingrained to stick to the right or maybe I'm just talking tosh.

 

[Pat "5mph"]

Suppose not. Lol, but if you are a regular runner, I think it would still be ingrained to stick to the right or maybe I'm just talking tosh.

Nay, they're just doing it to annoy cyclists

 

[burntoutbanger]

I find most runners run on the side where the camber is the flattest as this is easier on the knees and ankles.

 

[burntoutbanger]

Agree. I always thought walkers and runners usually stuck to the right so they could face oncoming traffic.

I just wish walkers on country lanes would heed that other bit of advice about walking on the outside of bends so everyone from the walker to the cyclist to the car driver and the HGV driver has a little longer sightline and therefore a little more reaction time.

Walkers that don't do this really get my goat!

 

[mjr]

I had to jump in the bushes and he missed me by about an inch.

Had to, did you? Standing still and bracing for impact didn't come to mind at any point?

@Drago - is this better than literally having to?

 

[Floating Bombus]

On a shared path I find it often works better if runners keep left but walkers keep right. Runners tend to be nearer cycling speed on these paths (this probably wouldn't be the case on the road) so it's easy to coast behind them until you get an opportunity to overtake. Though I guess if the path is not busy, it doesn't much matter.

 

[User16625]

I usually go left if I spot the oncoming other cyclist first on a cycle path. But I won't intentionally go out of my way to coerce them in to passing on the 'correct' side if we are telepathically lining up right to right and there is plenty of space to do so.

Same with pedestrians who are walking on the 'cycle' side of a share use path with markings. I'm not going to bother forcing them over to the correct side if it's going to slow me down in the process.

If you are talking about cyclists overtaking from behind you, then I would say it is polite to stick to the left side if you are cycling slow enough to anticipate being overtaken by faster cyclists. I'm not going to wait for you to notice me coming up behind you if I've decided that you are predictable enough and there is enough space to 'undertake' on the left.

Failing that, stick all the way to the right and make it obvious that you are doing so. But whatever you do, don't hog the middle of the path or weave unpredictably. And do do a shoulder check before overtaking other cyclists or pedestrians or switching sides.

I came across a woman driver on a bicycle the other day. This woman driver was male btw. Anyway the stupid c***** was riding towards me along the cycle path pretty much staring at the ground. He clearly wasn't going to lift his head or move to one side or the other so I decided to move to the right and stop. Maybe I should have stopped in the middle. Anyway the guy just passed completely oblivious to his surroundings. I didnt even waste my breath saying anything to him, it would be like arguing with a typo. I hope he gets his Darwin Award soon.

 

[Drago]

A male female driving a bicycle? Does...not...compute!

 

[jefmcg]

I hope he gets his Darwin Award soon.

You hope he dies (or is castrated, I guess) because he let his attention wander on a car free path??

 

[User16625]

You hope he dies (or is castrated, I guess) because he let his attention wander on a car free path??

Do you know what nemesis means?

 

[jefmcg]

Do you know what nemesis means?

Yes.

Now answer my question.

 

[Drago]

Do you know what nemesis means?

Sure. It's Phil Collins' old band.