Cycling vs walkers in country parks

Strider590

Years ago I used to make the local canal toe paths a 5 mile part of my Sunday morning 40 mile mountain bike ride, I often came across walkers who'd block the path and try to tell me that riding there was illegal, or they'd express their displeasure at me not having a bell fitted.
Then when I got a bell, they would then take offence to my "impatient bell ringing" and I feel deliberately block the path for even longer.

This was back in the days of "British waterways" and there was a downloadable/printable cycling permit, so got one of those and started carrying that around, sometimes it worked, sometimes they'd refuse to read it and sometimes they'd read it and say "this is nonsense, you made this up".

These days you can't get these permits, you simply have the right to cycle there, but without any proof it can be a struggle versus the mintcake munchers.

In conclusion, most people are c u next tuesdays.

MABLE

Strider590 wrote: »

Years ago I used to make the local canal toe paths a 5 mile part of my Sunday morning 40 mile mountain bike ride, I often came across walkers who'd block the path and try to tell me that riding there was illegal, or they'd express their displeasure at me not having a bell fitted.
Then when I got a bell, they would then take offence to my "impatient bell ringing" and I feel deliberately block the path for even longer.

This was back in the days of "British waterways" and there was a downloadable/printable cycling permit, so got one of those and started carrying that around, sometimes it worked, sometimes they'd refuse to read it and sometimes they'd read it and say "this is nonsense, you made this up".

These days you can't get these permits, you simply have the right to cycle there, but without any proof it can be a struggle versus the mintcake munchers.

In conclusion, most people are c u next tuesdays.

I find 2 friendly bings on the bells works for me. A lot more friendly than just one bing.

glasgowdan

MABLE wrote: »

I find 2 friendly bings on the bells works for me. A lot more friendly than just one bing.

3 dings and you'll start a fight!

parking_question_chap

MABLE wrote: »

I find 2 friendly bings on the bells works for me. A lot more friendly than just one bing.

Yes, its weird but that does get a better reaction.

Johnmcl7

I don't use a bell as I found in most cases it just annoyed people, I ease up until people see me and move. I do a lot of riding on natural trails so I'm frequently sharing paths with runners and dog walkers but it's almost never an issue as I find everyone is considerate to each other, there's the few people who object to the bikes but no point losing any sleep over it.

I don't tend to take the road bike onto shared paths as it's too fast for it so stick with the roads instead.

John

Jazee

I am both a cyclist and obviously a pedestrian too. Three times today on my dog walk on a shared path, cyclists approached from behind and none rang their bell.

Now my dogs are trained to walk to heel on the paths and not to chase bikes, but others can be startled. Please use your bell, 2 rings is fine!

Norman_Castle

Johnmcl7 wrote: »

I'm frequently sharing paths with runners and dog walkers but it's almost never an issue as I find everyone is inconsiderate to each other,

I find people considerate rather than inconsiderate

Johnmcl7

Norman_Castle wrote: »

I find people considerate rather than inconsiderate

Oops! :rotfl:

Johnmcl7

Jazee wrote: »

I am both a cyclist and obviously a pedestrian too. Three times today on my dog walk on a shared path, cyclists approached from behind and none rang their bell.

Now my dogs are trained to walk to heel on the paths and not to chase bikes, but others can be startled. Please use your bell, 2 rings is fine!

I've been told off by dog walkers several times not to use my bell as it startles the dog...also told off by a few pedestrians as well for giving them a fright hence not using a bell any more.

John

Retrogamer

Similar to my experience.
Ring the bell, some complain because it gives them a fright.
Don't ring the bell. some complain because they get a fright when you pass
Or quite often too people are too engrossed in conversation and don't hear the several bell rings, so i pass them slowly with lots of room and then they complain about me not using my bell....