Suicidal Cyclists

[Mich the Tester]

I say ban cyclists from these so called multi use paths.

I can't go along the canal towpath without continually having to throw myself into the hedge to avoid being hit by someone in fluorescent Lycra hurtling at breakneck speed in my direction.

Even the cyclists who are considerate enough to warn me of their presence are annoying. One minute I'm ambling along with my head in the clouds lost in my own thoughts, the next - TING TING!! and my pleasant little daydream is abruptly brought to a close.

Unfortunately for you, there are 7 billion other people on this planet, and you may come across some of them during your walks.

[zoco]

If you want to daydream then go somewhere you can do so safely. The path is a shared resource.

Or buy a mansion and wander through the grounds.

I should imagine that foot trumps wheel on these paths in much the same way as sail before steam on the water.

Not sure who had right of in the little run in my sister in law had the other day though. She was with another mum on the cycle path and both were pushing their pushchairs 2 abreast. Some Lycra lout came up behind and gave them a right mouthful. Poor gir, she was very upset. If I'd have been there I'd have given him a smack in the mouth there and then on the spot. Won't stand for this yobbery.

[Mich the Tester]

I should imagine that foot trumps wheel on these paths in much the same way as sail before steam on the water.

Why?

[vetran]

I should imagine that foot trumps wheel on these paths in much the same way as sail before steam on the water.

Not sure who had right of in the little run in my sister in law had the other day though. She was with another mum on the cycle path and both were pushing their pushchairs 2 abreast. Some Lycra lout came up behind and gave them a right mouthful. Poor gir, she was very upset. If I'd have been there I'd have given him a smack in the mouth there and then on the spot. Won't stand for this yobbery.

She was with another mum on the cycle path

I think that answers your question as to who was in the wrong. If it was a shared pedestrian & cycle route she might have a point.

The cyclist appears to been rude, but if they had been pushing their prams down the middle of the road would they have not been tooted and sworn at by drivers? They could have used the pedestrian part or were the other pedestrians slowing them down or getting in the way?

On Canal's pedestrians have priority, that doesn't mean they have the right to obstruct others, its just that if someone should go first where the road is too narrow/changes other users should give way to pedestrians. So if you walk 4 abreast on the towpath you should move out the way, if you wander in the middle of the path then move aside as you would for another pedestrian.

Share the Space, Drop your Pace

[Mich the Tester]

She was with another mum on the cycle path

I think that answers your question as to who was in the wrong. If it was a shared pedestrian & cycle route she might have a point.

Indeed. It's an advanced concept that seems to go over some people's heads.

[dezze]

I don't think that apps like Strava (https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...trava&hl=en_GB) help. I know a few people that 'race' through the streets of London during rush hour to get a higher ranking.

[zoco]

Indeed. It's an advanced concept that seems to go over some people's heads.

Ok, I used the term cycle path but it's actually mixed use.

[zoco]

Why?

Why? Because it Bally well should. The protocol is what came first gets right of way. So, we have sail before steam at sea, horses trump cars on the road and presumably pedestrians have the upper hand over cyclists on mixed use paths.

[Mich the Tester]

Ok, I used the term cycle path but it's actually mixed use.

Which suggests that there may be other people wishing to use it, so pushing pushcars side by side isn't really showing consideration for other people who may wish to walk, run, cycle, ride a camel, push a pushcar or otherwise move along at a different speed or in a different direction to the two mothers.

[vetran]

Ok, I used the term cycle path but it's actually mixed use.

so they were the equivalent of two mobility scooters riding abreast down the road. Or even two cyclists riding abreast down a road. They would be tooted and sworn at!