Who has priority on unsegregated cycle paths?

[heavens]

There was an incident today whereby I was on a unsegregated cycle path. I was going along and a couple of people came out from another path and didn't look behind them to check. It wasn't a big deal since I was going at a reasonable speed where I could brake within two metres. I knew to go at a lower speed since there were corners where I potentially couldn't see around. It wasn't a close call or anything, but it just made me wonder.

That got me thinking, on a cycle path - who has the right of way the pedestrian or cyclist - or is it a joint effort? I always go at a reasonable speed - and sometimes even use the grass to go around people. But sometimes pedestrians plop themselves at the direct centre of the path - making it trickier for cyclists. I would consider myself a considerable cyclist - and I always also pass others bicycles as well at a reasonable speed and distance.

 

[MikeW-71]

Pedestrians.

It's never a good idea to go fast on those kind of paths.

 

[ianrauk]

Slow down and expect the unexpected from peds.

 

[Markymark]

Pedestrians. Even in segregated if it's a path pedestrians have priority on the bit painted with a bike. You are being allowed to share their space. They get priority. You dud the correct thing in keeping your speed low.

 

[Maylian]

Yeah, always the pedestrian, although if you're me or many others we tend to avoid them if you can just for this type of scenario.

 

[Longshot]

Try telling that to the two middle aged guys on bikes who got cross with me for holding them up on the pavement (not bike path) as they came up behind me. I resisted the temptation have have an argument but...

 

[morrisman]

Try telling that to the two middle aged guys on bikes who got cross with me for holding them up on the pavement (not bike path) as they came up behind me. I resisted the temptation have have an argument but...

My Mrs managed to totally deflate a twenty something guy in a similar situation, we were out walking he was coming the other way on a bike and was a bit cross when we did not get out the way and let us know in no uncertain terms, Mrs Morrisman said 'Maybe when you grow up Mummy will let you ride on the road'. He shot off without another word

 

[fossyant]

Pedestrians, annoying they can be, but that's it. Take care like you did.

 

[growingvegetables]

Pedestrians.

Annoying though some of them can be, even worse is the cringe-worthy gratitude from some pedestrians ...... thanking me effusively for looking out for them, giving way, going off to the side, or whatever.

Like it was something extraordinarily unusual. There's an awful lot of nobbers out there.

 

[heavens]

Yeah, always the pedestrian, although if you're me or many others we tend to avoid them if you can just for this type of scenario.

I'm fifteen and this was on the commute to school. A lot of the roads around the area are filled with good old school run mums - some of which use their mobile phones. The amount of people that I've seen using mobiles is crazy. If I had the correct gear, I would go out on the roads - but since I'm leaving school in ten months - it would be quite an expensive investment to make where I might not get much use out of it. I've been cycling to school for four years now - every now and again I might underestimate and maybe cut someone up but that is quite rare - hence the post about it. I guess all of us cyclists make mistakes every now and again despite how careful we try to be - but that's life.

Believe it or not - throughout those four years - I've only ever fallen off once - and that was when I hit a curb accidentally!