Shared Footpaths, walkers & cyclists

[Paul_3]

hi all, this is the first time I've posted on the forum but was hoping to get a better understanding from cyclists who use a shared footpath for a commute.

I personally am not a big cyclist, I am too intimidated by the roads in Manchester and know that it's potentially very dangerous. Also my commute is a 10minute walk. However, I have done a couple of organised cycling events where you're not required to use the road with cars.

I walk my dog every morning up the same stretch of canal and back in Manchester and have been verbally abused twice by different cyclists whom I see every morning.

The first time I was in the centre of the path as it was slippy due to frost, dog to the left of me with the canal on my left. This time a guy came quickly from behind, didn't ring his bell and had to slam on and said "move out of the way you f'ing wan***". I had my hood up as it was freezing and replied "use your f'ing bell". Since then he's sped past me multiple times weaving etc which is quite intimidating.

This morning I was waking to the leff, dog on the left, canal on the left. I was looking at my phone but left more than enough room to my right. Also a guy was walking in front of me to the right. The cyclist coming from the front needed to weave between us and so told me to "watch were I'm going f'ing D'head". Regardless I would've stayed where I was on the path to keep the dog on the correct side.

I'm now at a point where I don't know what the best course of action is. I understand cyclists have it hard on the road but I feel some can have a chip on their shoulder when using a footpath, just as car drivers on the roads. I wanted to get thoughts of cyclists to see what could be done to prevent/improve this.

Thanks

 

[Spinney]

I'm not sure what you can do about it, but rest assured, most posters on this forum would not behave in the manner you describe, and would probably agree with your assessment of their behaviour - rude, and totally unacceptable.

 

[fossyant]

That's two idiot cyclists you've seen when you walk down the canal every day. It's not bad that, given there are idiots in every walk of life, those behind 2 tonnes of metal are very dangerous.

No-one would argue that these are idiots. I used to use the Fallowfield Loop and yes there were a fair few idiots, both on two wheels, pushing prams, and walking. Dog owners that had 2 or 3 animals not under control, and allowing one big dog to carry a 4 foot plank in it's mouth - you couldn't get through. He was a regular. Fair few cyclists that would barge past people like it was a race. I used to cover ground rapidly on there, but would always slow to a snails pace past people and animals.

PS which canal ? Don't forget some of these folk may not be keen cyclists, they may just be like everyone else getting to work. You've come to an enthusiasts forum. I've met many 'people on bikes' and some of the younger lads are right idiots.

 

[mjr]

That's a canal towpath not a footpath or cycle track, so cyclists will be on edge as there's a prospect of a swim. I think they should slow down near other users in that situation, but best practice would be to walk on the right like on other highways and keep the dog on a shortish line.

But failing that, some people are just rude, no matter what transport they're using. At least they're on bikes and not menacing people with cars.

I'd also try not to f back at them. Try to say something that makes them feel bad, makes them empathise with you, rather than escalating it. For example, "come on, ring your bell, don't scare people!" If they're moving slow enough. Might be snappier things to say. I don't know. I rarely have this problem.

 

[fossyant]

As cyclists, we have the 'smile and wave' when drivers start honking their horns. Really confuses them.

 

[rugby bloke]

They both sound like total nobbers (I believe that is the first time I have used the phrase). The clue is in the name - its a shared space, they are the quicker party so its their responsibility to slow down. As long as you are not weaving unpredictably down the road, have your dog under control and don't have it on an extended lead then I don't see what you have done wrong.

 

[mjr]

As cyclists, we have the 'smile and wave' when drivers start honking their horns. Really confuses them.

I do that because it's usually someone I know (around Lynn anyway), but I don't know everyone's cars and most sound the same. Motorists are so inexpressive!

 

[fossyant]

I do that because it's usually someone I know (around Lynn anyway), but I don't know everyone's cars and most sound the same. Motorists are so inexpressive!

It's even funnier when you are in a group, someone starts honking, so you all start waving. You can see the driver boiling !

 

[glasgowcyclist]

Make sure to check behind you often for faster moving people and if you're walking two abreast (or more!) with your dog or another pedestrian, make sure you single out, or pull to the left and stop, so as not to impede those who want to go faster than you.

GC

 

[fossyant]

I was nearly taken out by a wobbly cyclist on the Floop. I was coming up at some speed, but she was totally unaware that others were using the path (it's like the M1 for bikes at rush hour). I slowed and started to pass on the extreme right of the path (it's 10 foot wide), then she just wobbled from the left over to the right. I ended up on the grass verge. I said "please ride in a straight line", then got the "where is your bell" in response. Crazy.

 

[fossyant]

Make sure to check behind you often for faster moving people and if you're walking two abreast (or more!) with your dog or another pedestrian, make sure you single out, or pull to the left and stop, so as not to impede those who want to go faster than you.

GC

That's something I do when walking along the canal, but the cyclist does not have the right to swear and barge through. I've been using shared paths for my recovery from my broken spine. I've come across lots of groups walking. I slow and wait until they are able to move over, and say 'morning' and thanks. Even young lads/men have been OK moving over, and respond positively when you say thanks. I haven't had anyone shout 'where is your bell'.

The important thing is they are shared areas, so it's everyone's responsibility. Oh, you could argue roads are shared too ??

 

[steveindenmark]

Easy solution here. Push them in the canal as they go by. We dont want them as cyclists, they are giving us a bad name.

Either that or buy a pit Bull.

 

[400bhp]

y the roads in Manchester and know that it's potentially very dangerous

Hi Paul, the roads are not dangerous. Your perceptions are that it is but cycling is a fairly safe way to travel.

 

[Brandane]

We dont want them as cyclists, they are giving us a bad name

No; they are just giving themselves a bad name! I don't feel that my reputation as a driver is being tarnished every time I see someone driving like a pratt, so why should it apply to cyclists as a group? There are selfish arrogant nobbers in every walk of life, and they use all forms of transport to get around - bikes included.

 

[400bhp]

That's a canal towpath not a footpath or cycle track, so cyclists will be on edge as there's a prospect of a swim

Actually, not necessarily so. There are decent paths down the side of at least one canal into Manchester and are nothing like traditional canal paths.