'Shared' path - yeah right

Duncan said:

Shared paths are the only place a cyclist has NO right of way. You
have to give way to everyone; cars (entering/leaving roads), aimlessly
wandering pedestrians, their dogs etc.. etc...

At least on the road, there are rules that drivers generally follow,
and I have right of way under those rules.

Is that really the case? I just read in RoyalAuto that on a shared path
cyclists must give way to pedestrians and was wondering how the hell
that could work.

DaveB

quote='DaveB'Duncan said:

Shared paths are the only place a cyclist has NO right of way. You
have to give way to everyone; cars (entering/leaving roads), aimlessly
wandering pedestrians, their dogs etc.. etc...

At least on the road, there are rules that drivers generally follow,
and I have right of way under those rules.

Is that really the case? I just read in RoyalAuto that on a shared path
cyclists must give way to pedestrians and was wondering how the hell
that could work.

DaveB[/QUOTE]
It doesn't work, so unless you are just trundling around with the kids get back on the road where you belong.

steve46au said:

Quoted message said:

Is that really the case? I just read in RoyalAuto that on a shared path
cyclists must give way to pedestrians and was wondering how the hell
that could work.

DaveB

It doesn't work, so unless you are just trundling around with the kids
get back on the road where you belong.

Yeah I know it doesn't work, which is why I rarely ride on them, but my
point is there seems to be no onus on the pedestrian to act in any
sensible manner. VicRoads has the following rule for cyclists, but
surely there has to be some ruling on how pedestrians need to act on
shared paths, at a minimum I would have thought it was to keep left:

The rider of a bicycle riding on a footpath or shared path must—
(a) keep to the left of the footpath or shared path unless it is
impracticable
to do so; and
(b) give way to any pedestrian on the footpath or shared path.
Penalty: 1 penalty unit.
Note 1 Pedestrian is defined in rule 18, and shared path is defined in
rule 242.
Note 2 For subrule (2), give way means the rider must slow down and, if
necessary, stop to
avoid a collision—see the definition in the dictionary.

DaveB

quote='DaveB'steve46au said:

Quoted message said:

Is that really the case? I just read in RoyalAuto that on a shared path
cyclists must give way to pedestrians and was wondering how the hell
that could work.

DaveB

It doesn't work, so unless you are just trundling around with the kids
get back on the road where you belong.

Yeah I know it doesn't work, which is why I rarely ride on them, but my
point is there seems to be no onus on the pedestrian to act in any
sensible manner. VicRoads has the following rule for cyclists, but
surely there has to be some ruling on how pedestrians need to act on
shared paths, at a minimum I would have thought it was to keep left:

The rider of a bicycle riding on a footpath or shared path must—
(a) keep to the left of the footpath or shared path unless it is
impracticable
to do so; and
(b) give way to any pedestrian on the footpath or shared path.
Penalty: 1 penalty unit.
Note 1 Pedestrian is defined in rule 18, and shared path is defined in
rule 242.
Note 2 For subrule (2), give way means the rider must slow down and, if
necessary, stop to
avoid a collision—see the definition in the dictionary.

DaveB[/QUOTE]

So by that rule a pedestrian with a snitch against me and my outrageously buff body 🙄 can deliberately sabotage me by jumping in front of me when i pass them and i can't do a darned thing about it? ouch...

eddiec said:

So by that rule a pedestrian with a snitch against me and my
outrageously buff body 🙄 can deliberately sabotage me by
jumping in front of me when i pass them and i can't do a darned thing
about it? ouch...

Yep that's how I read it, so was wondering maybe the onus on pedestrians
comes from council by-laws. Dutchy you mentioned in another post about
rules and fines associated with dogs on shared paths, where is that
documented because I would have thought any rules on pedestrian use
would be in a similar place??

DaveB

TimC said:

Did anyone see that documentary within the last few weeks, about
animal myths? It turns out pyranas aren't quite so menacing as we all
like to think they are.

so does this mean you will put your hand in a piranha tank to give them
a tickle? 😉

DaveB said:

eddiec said:

So by that rule a pedestrian with a snitch against me and my
outrageously buff body 🙄 can deliberately sabotage me by
jumping in front of me when i pass them and i can't do a darned thing
about it? ouch...

Yep that's how I read it, so was wondering maybe the onus on pedestrians
comes from council by-laws. Dutchy you mentioned in another post about
rules and fines associated with dogs on shared paths, where is that
documented because I would have thought any rules on pedestrian use
would be in a similar place??

DaveB

Ok done some more googling and have found the following at
http://dms003.dpc.vic.gov.au/l2d/R/STAT00645/0_1.html

Code: 2247 Offence: Fail to give way when crossing a bicycle path or
separated footpath Reference: RR 239(3) Penalty: $15.

However couldn't find it under Vicroads Rules for pedestrians at
http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/vrpdf/randl/part_14.pdf

Unfortunaetly that is for a bicycle path not a shared path.

Then I found this PDF of recommendations for shared paths from VicRoads.
This stuff made sense and I think the biggest issue I have with the
Koonung trail is from Bulleen Rd to Doncaster Rd and if ever there was a
section that needed a bit more signage that was it. This is a
Booroondara section of trail, can any of the BBUG people suggest who the
appropriate person at the council might be to send a letter to?

DaveB "studying complete and now injured"

DaveB said:

Then I found this PDF of recommendations for shared paths from VicRoads.
This stuff made sense and I think the biggest issue I have with the
Koonung trail is from Bulleen Rd to Doncaster Rd and if ever there was a
section that needed a bit more signage that was it. This is a
Booroondara section of trail, can any of the BBUG people suggest who the
appropriate person at the council might be to send a letter to?

DaveB "studying complete and now injured"

[email hidden]

CC the bbug as well (just so we can keep track of it and council knows that others do too) or me (you know where...)

BUT keep in mind ALL Boroondara offraod paths are getting the central stripe treatment (inc that section you mentioned) and relevant signage too

enjoy the BR tomorrow. shant join you as the lurgy needs a chance to go away for good 🙁

F"BUGed"Dutch

DaveB said:

However couldn't find it under Vicroads Rules for pedestrians at
http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/vrpdf/randl/part_14.pdf

Unfortunaetly that is for a bicycle path not a shared path.

Then I found this PDF of recommendations for shared paths from VicRoads.
This stuff made sense and I think the biggest issue I have with the
Koonung trail is from Bulleen Rd to Doncaster Rd and if ever there was a
section that needed a bit more signage that was it. This is a Booroondara
section of trail, can any of the BBUG people suggest who the appropriate
person at the council might be to send a letter to?

Know that bit of trail well. Even though it is a major bike trail (Koonung
Creek Trail) and will be extended out past Ringwood and south through
Wantirna, Scoresby Dandenong etc. with the Eastlink, it is also the land of
the Doncaster Dog-walkers and they have laws unto themselves. The most
arrogant of all peds walking dogs on bike trails.

According to the document you can download from here:
http://www.boroondara.vic.gov.au/leisure/parksandgardens/parkfacilities

the Koonung Creek reserve is also an off-leash park. Now isn't that sensible
planning by our local bureaucrats.

Cheers
Peter

"GPLama" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

yet another new thread for today 😉

Yesterday riding home on a shared path (one with a solid white line down
the middle), I approached two young ladies walking their dogs in the
opposite direction. Both dogs were the fluffy uncontrollable types, so I
slowed to an almost stop... At the last second one of the dogs runs right
in front of me.. I had it under control knowing this was going to
happen... Usually I'd swear lots and drone out any attempt by the owner
to respond... but no... I politely said "well, that dog isn't very well
trained"..

w00t! I think I hit a nerve!! "SQUARK THIS IS AN OFF THE LEAD AREA
SQUARK SQUARK"... wholly hell... since when does an off the lead area mean
you have no responsibility for the safety of your dog and other path
users? Nice man over.. I let her know what shape her dog would be if it
happened again....

I didn't do anything to help the cause of hatred towards cyclists, but I
feel she put the same effort into reaffirming my hatred of obnoxious dog
owners.. balance maintained... I blasted home setting in near PB time..
🙂

cheers,
GPL

I often use off-road shared bike paths. You should never assume you can go
fast, and always be on the lookout of pedestrians doing silly unexpected
things. You should also be on the lookout for children and animals. Even a
well trained dog can "pop its brain" and run off in any direction. There is
a recently opened section of the off-road bike track through Brighton,
Melbourne, which passes through a dog off-leash area. Although the shared
track itself is on-leash, people walk their dogs with the mutts straining at
their leads all over the place. Thems the breaks. You just go slow on your
bike and watch out for those things. I personally consider it dangerous when
a bike rider barrells down a shared walkway at 30 kph or more.

As I ride my bike on that track I get many "sorry"s from pedestrians, and
there are "that's OK"s from me. You get to know some nice pedestrians. They
get to know some nice cyclists.

Henry.

"eddiec" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

DaveB said:

steve46au said:

>Is that really the case? I just read in RoyalAuto that on a shared

path

Quoted message said:

>cyclists must give way to pedestrians and was wondering how the hell
>that could work.
>
>DaveB

It doesn't work, so unless you are just trundling around with the

kids

Quoted message said:

get back on the road where you belong.

Yeah I know it doesn't work, which is why I rarely ride on them, but
my
point is there seems to be no onus on the pedestrian to act in any
sensible manner. VicRoads has the following rule for cyclists, but
surely there has to be some ruling on how pedestrians need to act on
shared paths, at a minimum I would have thought it was to keep left:

The rider of a bicycle riding on a footpath or shared path must-
(a) keep to the left of the footpath or shared path unless it is
impracticable
to do so; and
(b) give way to any pedestrian on the footpath or shared path.
Penalty: 1 penalty unit.
Note 1 Pedestrian is defined in rule 18, and shared path is defined in
rule 242.
Note 2 For subrule (2), give way means the rider must slow down and,
if
necessary, stop to
avoid a collision-see the definition in the dictionary.

DaveB

So by that rule a pedestrian with a snitch against me and my
outrageously buff body 🙄 can deliberately sabotage me by
jumping in front of me when i pass them and i can't do a darned thing
about it? ouch...

--
eddiec

One did just that to me on a shared walkway. He didn't have a snitch against
me, but did a nice 90 degree hard right turn from the left of the walkway
just before I passed on the extreme right. I slammed on my brakes, did a
neat somersault, but didn't hit him. Bruises took a few weeks to heal...

Henry.