Cycling vs walkers in country parks

boliston

esuhl wrote: »

.....

If only there was a way to get pedestrians to improve their poor behaviour... I think they should have number plates and pay taxes just like motorists.

And make them wear helmets!

[Deleted User]

parking_question_chap wrote: »

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.

It's not a cycling issue, I see it time and again as a pedestrian.

Several people will walk in line abreast across the full width of path, and even though they can see you coming from hundreds of yards away they just carry on hogging the whole pavement. When you've come to a standstill, almost toe to toe with them, they look you up and down as if to say "Oh, you expect US to move!"

It's not just a path thing either. After a local road was blocked off with bollards to stop motorists using it to bypass the traffic lights, pedestrians started walking in line abreast down the middle of the road too.

parking_question_chap

Sicard wrote: »

Is there grass on either side of the path?

Yes, however long grass nearing about a foot high wtth tree roots (I have bumped over it many a time)

I can appreciate what you are thinking it would have been possible for me to go over the grass, if not especially easy as I have a hybrid with no suspension and skinny wheels. If I was approaching from behind I would have possibly done so even though the grass was long, rather than ring my bell.

However both approaching head on I think its reasonable for both parties to keep to the left remain on the path and proceed, given the sides are not easy cycling terrain.

Retrogamer

Altarf wrote: »

Perhaps "cycle haters" exist because of the poor behaviour by many cyclists.

Cyclist haters exist because of confirmation bias and willful ignorance.

When pedestrians do stupid things, no one hates on pedestrians because at some point everyone is a pedestrian.

Lots of drivers hate on most cyclists because a minority do stupid things AND because most drivers and most pedestrians don't cycle.

I've always joked and said if you're a straight white man living in the UK and want to experience discrimination from idiots, become a cyclist.

Altarf wrote: »

The OP says the came to a halt when reaching the pedestrians (who had priority), unlike the majority of cyclists who speed along these paths expecting the pedestrian to get out of the way.

He's more generous than me. I'd keep cycling at a slow pace without stopping. If they want to walk into me, that's their choice.

It's the same if i was walking beside my bike, or just walking in general. If there's a group of them taking up the whole footpath and they're unwilling to move, then there will be a collision.

If it's a vulnerable person, or someone who hasn't seen me of course i will stop though. Sadly there are a lot of selfish people that don't want to share paths and i've no time for that.

boliston wrote: »

And make them wear helmets!

What for?

maisie_cat

I'm a cyclist and walker and I tend to move out of the way when walking simply because it takes no effort for me to do so. For the cyclist having to stop means having to get going again requiring more effort.
It is simple consideration but does require you to be aware of your surroundings.
I do find that people regardless of whether on foot, bike, horse, dragon or car are so engrossed in their own little world that they lack awareness of what's going on around them these days.
I did see somebody walk into a tree while looking down at their phone recently, I should not have laughed but I did!

Norman_Castle

Retrogamer wrote: »

Lots of drivers hate on most cyclists because a minority do stupid things AND because most drivers and most pedestrians don't cycle.

Motorist dislike cyclists because they may have to slow down because of them. Motorists hate having to slow down.

esuhl

maisie_cat wrote: »

I'm a cyclist and walker and I tend to move out of the way when walking simply because it takes no effort for me to do so. For the cyclist having to stop means having to get going again requiring more effort.
It is simple consideration but does require you to be aware of your surroundings.
I do find that people regardless of whether on foot, bike, horse, dragon or car are so engrossed in their own little world that they lack awareness of what's going on around them these days.

Yep -- too few people these days have any consideration for others.

I visited Amsterdam a few months ago, and was walking up to a cross-roads in the outer canal ring. Behind me I heard a cyclist approaching... and on the perpendicular road, I saw a scooter (a scooterist?) approaching. Both seemed to be on a collision course.

First one slowed, then the other, then one sped up, then the other... for 20 seconds, both kept adjusting their speed to no avail. Eventually, the women on the bike braked at the junction... then decided to go but couldn't pull away fast enough! They both slammed on the brakes hard, rear wheels left the ground and they touched front wheels.

As a Brit, I was expecting a torrent of abuse, shouting and swearing... but the girl blushed and shrugged, the guy on the scooter smiled and shrugged, they both chuckled, and continued their journeys with a smile.

Imagine if we could be like that in this country.

glasgowdan

One or two primitive haters of people on bikes here. Any logical explanation for their feelings?

Almost every person you see riding a bike has family, wants to get somewhere and isn't going out to make enemies. What attitude do you expect when they come up against ignorant people refusing to allow them past?

Altarf

Retrogamer wrote: »

He's more generous than me. I'd keep cycling at a slow pace without stopping. If they want to walk into me, that's their choice.

So you admit you would happily cycle into a pedestrian who wouldn't move out of your way when you are cycling on a footpath, and you wonder why people take issue with cyclists?

boliston

Norman_Castle wrote: »

Motorist dislike cyclists because they may have to slow down because of them. Motorists hate having to slow down.

The ironic thing is that other motorists are far far more likely to delay a motorist than a cyclist.