Shared paths, 'haven't you got a bell?!'

[Brandane]

Common human decency would be a live and let live attitude,

 

[Hip Priest]

Sounds kinky.....

Well, there'd certainly be a degree of heavy breathing if I was going 25mph.

 

[Moda]

Even where there is a clear deliniation of an area for cyclists, pedestrians can use the cycle area.

I don't dis-believe you but is that correct?

 

[Sara_H]

Get this all the time.

Me: "excuse me please"
Pedestrian " why haven't you got a bell."
Me "I have, just seemed more polite to say excuse me. Oh well."

Or

Me: "ting a ling (on bell)"
Pedestrian: Feigns heart attack, jumps dramatically to side of path, gives a nasty silent glare.
Me: "oh well"

 

[phil_hg_uk]

You need one of these off ebay £1.68 inc delivery

 

[Guyincognito76]

Get this all the time.

Me: "excuse me please"
Pedestrian " why haven't you got a bell."
Me "I have, just seemed more polite to say excuse me.

This is exactly my thinking, ringing a bell, like honking a horn, just seems rude.

The problem, of course, is pedestrians don't think cyclists should be where they're walking, just as drivers think we shouldn't be where they're driving.

 

[Sara_H]

This is exactly my thinking, ringing a bell, like honking a horn, just seems rude.

The problem, of course, is pedestrians don't think cyclists should be where they're walking, just as drivers think we shouldn't be where they're driving.

Seems that we're not welcome anywhere.

 

[Sara_H]

You need one of these off ebay £1.68 inc delivery

That looks a bit space age, does it vapourise the pedestrian?

 

[Dayvo]

See if you can rig one of these up onto your handlebars!

View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IkfTAowWRKA


They don't like it up 'em, Mr Mainwaring!

 

[G3CWI]

the meandering pedestrian(s) are miles away with music plugged into their ears.

Quintessential anti-social behaviour.

 

[phil_hg_uk]

That looks a bit space age, does it vapourise the pedestrian?

I tell you what I bought one just to see what would turn up I was curious for that price and it is very loud.

 

[Brandane]

Get this all the time.

Me: "excuse me please"
Pedestrian " why haven't you got a bell."
Me "I have, just seemed more polite to say excuse me. Oh well."

Or

Me: "ting a ling (on bell)"
Pedestrian: Feigns heart attack, jumps dramatically to side of path, gives a nasty silent glare.
Me: "oh well"

Yep; this pretty much sums up my experience on "shared" paths too. Today, on a canal tow-path on the outskirts of Glasgow, I belled a pedestrian from well back, to try and avoid the said feigned heart attack reaction. As I passed, she was muttering away to herself. I didn't catch the whole content, but I did pick up on the "f***ing bell" bit. You just can't win; so just like the OP, I will stop trying to please them all.

Worst of all are dog walkers who see you coming, then stand on one side of the path, while shouting at Fido to stay on the other side while cyclist is expected to pass between the two. Of course Fido usually decides to bolt towards its lord and master when cyclist is about 3 feet away. Would it not be easier for Fido's dopey owner to step to the same side of the path as the dog?

 

[ste.pearson]

i have a bell and sometimes use it and sometimes ask politely to get by.it can be frustrating but like others have said it is a shared path and they have every right to use it the way they want,also you cant always assume that they have heard you some people are hard of hearing its not there fault.as a ex runner cyclists used to pass by me really close and scare the s**t out of me so i can appricate both sides of the coin

 

[phil_hg_uk]

Of course Fido usually decides to bolt towards its lord and master when cyclist is about 3 feet away. Would it not be easier for Fido's dopey owner to step to the same side of the path as the dog?

Or put Fido on a lead like it should be

 

[Dayvo]

Or put Fido on a lead DOWN like it should be