The Pedestrian on Path Overtake Conundrum

[lumpy]

When I'm on a path that is shared, I just take it easy and ring my little bell. When I pass the pedestrians I ALWAYS say thank you. I ride slowly so I don't scare anyone or worse hit someone. One sure thing is that pedestrians are unpredictable so I always give them plenty of notice so I know where they'll go.

Shared use paths are no place to be showing off how fast you can go. There may be some child around the corner that you could kill.

At one of my local paths, the Rangers have adopted radar guns to slow cyclists down - it's that or risk having cycling banned from the path!

All it takes is one crazy cyclist scaring people and hurting someone to wreck it for everyone. That's why I try to be nice. All bets are off however once I'm on the open road!

As for cycling on sidewalks, well I hate it but I do it when I escort my favorite cycling partner to kindergarten - because I want to keep him from becoming a hood ornament.

Tim

 

[jessloader]

Rock On Lumpy!!!!

 

[less'go]

There's a great hike and bike trail near my home, it must cover 30 km, and actually goes somewhere, beginning in a distant suburban town, then crossing through successives burbs 'till it hits the city and finally leads into the heart of Paris. It's useful, it's pleasant. All week long it's basically empty, there's no speed limit, and as such, I can hop on and give it all I got, just for fun or to go to work.

BUT, on the weekend, it's a whole other story. On weekends there are families walking off their midday meal, kids (and adults) learning to bike, rollerblade, skateboard, even toddlersjust learning to walk. There are 9 day old persons and 90 year old persons. There are tough-looking adolescents and grandmas feeding pigeons. This is NOT the day to go ride my bike there, unless I'm doing it to accompany my child (obviously slowly).

Grown-ups should be sensible enough to avoid these multi-use paths for biking (recreational or other) when there are so many people. It isn't even fun when it's too busy.

I ride a bike. I also walk. I have kids. I have a dog. I have a car. I have a grandma. I am not just a cyclist, so I can't say I'm for people on bikes and not for other people.

Sometimes I'm on a bike, sometimes I'm walking, sometimes it's my daughter who darts accross the path unexpectedly, and sometimes I'm the cyclist who has to avoid the little kid. I don't see where the cyclist versus pedestrian thing comes into play if we're all a little considerate.

And you know, it is annoying that folks don't keep to the right, but two days ago I almost crashed into a cyclist ambling on the left while talking on his cell phone.

SO chill out, avoid these MUPs or whatever when they are busy, get your butts on the road, too, that's really where we need you because the more bikes there are n the road, the safer we as cyclists are. If the idea of biking on the road scares you, it's probably because you haven't really gotten out there yet.

As per the overtake conundrum, if I have to say something, I try to do it with a smile, and of course I slow down if I have to cut it close. I don't want to run into someone any more than they want to be run into. 'Course if they give me attitude in spite of my couteous passing behavior, I will lay in and give them what for .

Sara

 

[el Ingles]

I´ve yet to meet a pedestrian that does not believe the laws of physics ( inertia ) have been repealled just for them , I like to stop but I need space and people stepping off the kerb without looking first are the bain of my life . Cycle , scooter or car it don´t seem to matter . They´re the one getting hurt so why not look , please .
The funny thing is it´s often the people that normally drive , ride that are the worst offenders , life is strange .

 

[BikeBanishesOni]

I dont make a peep when trying to pass a pedestrian. They are very skittish and their actions become erratic when they are startled thus, making them harder to aviod. I just blow by them as quickly and as safely as possible and scare the everliving soul out of them.

 

[swimmeronwheels]

Originally posted by BikeBanishesOni
I dont make a peep when trying to pass a pedestrian. They are very skittish and their actions become erratic when they are startled thus, making them harder to aviod. I just blow by them as quickly and as safely as possible and scare the everliving soul out of them.

I mostly agree ... peds here also are very skittish, they veer and swing around to see the noise and by then I'm going by (and I'm not that fast). I usually try to keep a full body width between us, even occasionally going off the path. I find the ones in workout gear, speed-walking especially with headphones to be the most reliable as they are in the workout zone (aka straight ahead). But, sauntering, street clad folks, especially two abreast usually don't have a clue that they share the path with us.

I, however, don't try to scare anyone. I don't need their heart attack on my head!

 

[lumpy]

Originally posted by BikeBanishesOni
I dont make a peep when trying to pass a pedestrian. They are very skittish and their actions become erratic when they are startled thus, making them harder to aviod. I just blow by them as quickly and as safely as possible and scare the everliving soul out of them.

It's that kind of action that almost got one of my best local trails closed to bikes. Pedestrian got sick and tired of cyclists scaring them and close calls so they mobilized, started complaining, and almost got bikes banned. Now the rangers have radar guns. They cite riders and have been known to sieze bikes and escort riders off the trail. The result is that the riders who want to go fast, go elsewhere, which IMHO, is a good idea.

There are a lot more pedestrians than cyclists out there and they have the potential to wield a lot more political weight than we ever will.

Tim

 

[jessloader]

He he hehehe ....good one....Beavis

 

[mozza]

Anyway, back onto the original topic of this thread...

Squealing brakes always works for me - that piercing sound seems to sink it and make pedestrians much more cautious than a bell, and they are normally so busy being scared/glad not to have been hit that they don't have the time to be angry...

All round goodness.

 

[jessloader]

Originally posted by mozza
Anyway, back onto the original topic of this thread...

Squealing brakes always works for me - that piercing sound seems to sink it and make pedestrians much more cautious than a bell, and they are normally so busy being scared/glad not to have been hit that they don't have the time to be angry...

All round goodness.

Yeah! Totally good idea man! That way, when I grab you by your spandex lapels, and "help" you to the ground, it will be in the name of helping you gain control of your bike. I realize it IS quite difficult to keep your bicycle under control and to be able to read signs at the same time, but there are pictures too you know. It just takes a little practice to get the hang of the pictures, but you can do it!! And there are many pedestrians that would gladly help you read the signs if you just ask........Your Welcome!!!!!!

 

[lumpy]

Originally posted by jessloader
Yeah! Totally good idea man! That way, when I grab you by your spandex lapels, and "help" you to the ground, it will be in the name of helping you gain control of your bike. I realize it IS quite difficult to keep your bicycle under control and to be able to read signs at the same time, but there are pictures too you know. It just takes a little practice to get the hang of the pictures, but you can do it!! And there are many pedestrians that would gladly help you read the signs if you just ask........Your Welcome!!!!!!

Um, I think your prescription has run out.

Wait a minute. I just figured you out! You're one of those web forum trolls that stirs up stuff to satisfy your own twisted pleasure. I just finished reading all of your posts and it's clear you aren't a cyclist. The only posts you've made were to the thread "Worst Road Rage Experience" and this one. All of them were anti-bike and several were pretty nasty. You seem full of anger.

You hate cyclists don't you. You come here to mess with people who ride bikes. Why? What's wrong?

 

[mike frye]

Originally posted by jessloader
YEAH!!!! I DO wonder why cyclist get mad with just a little honk.....sounds a lot like you cyclist-pysco with your crappy little bells huh?

I have a bell on my road bike that you can hear inside your car with the window rolled up. I have found that when I ride on bike paths that have people walking or slow moving cyclists they are very positive if I ring my bell.
A bell on a bike say's "excuse me" a car horn or air horn with a cyclist say's F--k you!

I also think that if are passing a fellow cyclist as your coming up you should ring your bell and politely say "on your left."

I know that it takes so little effort to be nice and it makes life a little better for everybody.

"This is only my opinion I could be wrong."

 

[mozza]

Originally posted by mike frye
I have a bell on my road bike that you can hear inside your car with the window rolled up.
<snip>

You'll have to let us know the make and model of that bell, and maybe where I can get one for each of my bikes (ATB, road, and commuter) - I've never found a good enough bell. Mine are mostly ignored, or not even heard...

 

[Geonz]

I gotta wonder why you couldn't have warned the couple-in-the-middle-of-the-path. It sounds like there aren't enough cycles for pedestrians to come to expect them. If they've hade nice side-by-side walks for months, or have never done it, then it's no surprise they were taking up extra room, and you've just added evidence to support that cyclists are rude instead of making them more likely to respect cyclists. And then you escalated the rudeness. Your choice --your right -- but don't wonder why pedestrians don't like you. It's nice you're big and bad enough so he didn't scare you; I guess that's what's most important.

 

[jessloader]

Originally posted by lumpy
Um, I think your prescription has run out.

Wait a minute. I just figured you out! You're one of those web forum trolls that stirs up stuff to satisfy your own twisted pleasure. I just finished reading all of your posts and it's clear you aren't a cyclist. The only posts you've made were to the thread "Worst Road Rage Experience" and this one. All of them were anti-bike and several were pretty nasty. You seem full of anger.

You hate cyclists don't you. You come here to mess with people who ride bikes. Why? What's wrong?

Okay, I thought you said you read my posts, but don't worry, I'll reiterate. I'm angry because I've been assaulted by cyclists. Not once, nope...not twice, but MANY times. One time I was left in the snow, unconcious. The other time just bruised, and another time my seeing eye dog was the victim. How many times must this happen? So, I'm here to find out what kind of mentality I'm dealing with so I can make some changes in the park. I'm not talking about sidewalks or roads but the recreational parks the cyclists have taken over. However, I am only 5034 signatures away from having them banned. I don't like this idea, because there are lots of responsible cyclists who do slow down and they would suffer more than the irresponsible ones because the irresponsible ones will spread their vileness anywhere they go. I don't hate cyclists, I hate the way they think they own the park. Someone posted about the neccesity of bringing a gun with them on their ride, well I find it neccesary to bring a stick with me on my walks. I'm on this CYCLING forum to talk to CYCLISTS to find out why CYCLISTS have such road rage issues. Maybe I should be like the rest of society and let cyclists ride all over me. Yeah....fat chance!! So, here I am asking why these people are the way they are and all I get back is some exceuses, not reasons. I thought your last post before this one was great. But now you've flipped. Surprise surprise. No wonder I've lost faith in cyclists.

 

[mantis_dtl]

Howdy folks. Anyone else find it annoying when on pavements/cycle paths and overtaking pedestrians? It is impossible not to make them flinch about 10 feet, accuse you of being a young whippersnapper, and tell you to get on the road.

I even had an old couple get peeved after I "belled" them once to get them to stop hogging the path, and move over.

Curses, I hate to be hated, but overtaking pedestrians seems to be a no-win situation. Any tips?

I walk and bike and appreciate being forewarned when someone is about to pass me. I've nearly jumped out of my pants when a biker/rollerblader zipped by me unexpectedly!

In Vermont, we were always told (they posted bicycle/walking/driving safety and courtesy in the paper at the beginning of each summer) to say "On your left" prior to passing a walker on a trail. Of course, you still have to be careful because often people will move left and walk right into you. However, for those that do get it, they will often say "thank you!".

 

[kokomo61]

I have an IncrediBell that works wonders - but I give people lots of distance to let them know I'm coming up behind them. On the shared paths around Washington, DC (W&OD, Custis, Fairfax County, etc.) most people have a tendency to stay to the right any way (it's ingrained on the Metro)...the only problems I run into are groups taking up the entire path, or group rides riding 2-3 abreast coming the other way.

While most roadies are good about calling out passing, there's a large # that just whip by, and even try to 'thread the needle' between you and an oncoming bike or pedestrian. One guy did that to me about 2 weeks ago, without so much as a quick 'on your left'. Since he was on a road bike, and I was on my Trek 7300, it was easy for him to leave me in the dust, quickly getting about 1/4 mile ahead.

For some reason, I was able to catch him at the top of a hill, where he stuck out his hand and yelled - "BACK OFF!" when I was still a full bike length behind....so, I gave him some room, made sure it was clear, than rang my bell, called out "on your left", and passed him. The next stretch was downhill, so speed was pretty good. He caught me a little bit down the path, and snapped "anyone can go fast downhill...." I couldn't resist saying back - "You're absolutely right - but I caught you going UP."

In any case - I use my bell, and it usually works.

 

[thebirdman]

While we are talking pedestians and cyclists on MUPs, can someone inform me why on roads without sidewalks a pedestrian is required to walk on the shoulder opposite the flow of vehicle traffic, that is walk closest to oncoming vehicles? Then when we use MUPs, the standard practice is opposite where pedestrians and cyclist all travel on the same side, when they are traveling in the same direction?

 

[Doug_W]

Here in Calgary most of the paths along the river are seperate, one for peds and one for bikes & roller blades. In winter have to share paths as only one is plowed. Never see bikes on the ped path but many peds don't seem to understand the signs. Here it is maditory to have a bell and bylaw people go out in spring to enforce. No tickets but warnings usually. Also at that time will crack down on speeding. In fall when we loss light will crack down on the light on bike bylaw.

On the comman part of the path when I over take peds. I don't always use my bell. It depends on the ped what their doing. If over on side and seem to be walking a straight line I don't bother. I should note on commute home any peds on the paths are probably getting passed by a bike every 45 to 60 seconds so they have to be pretty stupid to walk around aimlessly. If every bike belled every ped it would be pretty noisey plus every bike overtaking another bike.

Just like to add, that most of the peds that walk to work along the paths are very good in that when the light is lost most are now carrying red flashers along the path.