Cycling vs walkers in country parks

parking_question_chap

Just looking for feedback on a situation, which happened this week gone, and has happened a good few times before.

Earlier in the week I went on a cycle in a country park where the paths are a few metres wide. On a long stretch of path a group of four people were walking towards me, two 50 something adults and two late teens, there was a good half minute before we would reach eachother. I made sure to keep to the left of the path which was probably four metres wide and slowed to a jogging pace.

Seemingly they had no intention of stopping their conversation to give me any space until I had to stop right in front of them (rather than cycling through one of them). I think they then expect me to say thanks as they eventually begrudgingly moved around me to the left in a two behind two formation, I assume thats what they thought because one of them gave a sarcastic "your welcome" as I proceeded without comment. This is what bugs me, I dont think they deserve any kind of thanks because they should have had the courtesy of giving me some path space in the first place. I would not expect thanks in the walkers position, which I am often when walking with friends.

I will always thank dog owners and people with kids for keeping left, as they have a tough enough task on their hands, but walkers seem to think they have a right to the whole footpath.

Any thoughts on the situation?

Rosemary7391

I'm not sure it's restricted to cyclists vs walkers - I've had it happen to me as a walker facing other walkers too. I eventually started walking away from the road on some paths to avoid being forced into it. I'd've said thanks if they moved out of the way promptly - to expect thanks for getting in your way and not actually walking into you is a bit much!

elsien

Helps as a walker if you have a big scary looking dog - it's like the parting of the Red Sea.

wongataa

They sound like idiots. You didn't do anything wrong.

lewishardwick

Some people are just obnoxious.

JulieM

Rosemary7391 wrote: »

I'm not sure it's restricted to cyclists vs walkers - I've had it happen to me as a walker facing other walkers too. I eventually started walking away from the road on some paths to avoid being forced into it. I'd've said thanks if they moved out of the way promptly - to expect thanks for getting in your way and not actually walking into you is a bit much!

I'm glad someone has brought this up, as a walker I notice it happening more and more these days.

Altarf

parking_question_chap wrote: »

Jwalkers seem to think they have a right to the whole footpath.

They do. The clue is in the name - "footpath".

ThemeOne

I've mostly experienced it the other way round, cyclists going at great speed along footpaths, clearly unwilling to slow down, and just expecting walkers to scatter to make way, but your post shows there are rude and inconsiderate people on foot as well. It's a great shame.

glasgowdan

It's not "cyclist" vs "walker", it's just person vs person, one person thinks they shouldn't move because they're in the right and decide not to apply any common decency.

"Footpath" or not, it would take nothing but a touch of respect and friendliness for the walkers to walk a step to the side as the cyclist approaches.

Overall though, I wouldn't worry a jot about them and just carry on as you are. I'm a mountain biker and rarely come across this, but when I do it's almost always from 50/60-somethings with red socks on.

parking_question_chap

Altarf wrote: »

They do. The clue is in the name - "footpath".

Erm no, they dont.

Nowhere on this parks leaflets or website does it refer to "footpath", just path.

It also mentions that it all are welcome to use the paths, including dog walkers, buggies, mobility scooters and cyclists.

PasturesNew

They might believe that it's a footpath - and not for cyclists.
They might be right.
We don't know.