AIBU to challenge cyclists riding on rural footpaths?

Cyclist (e-bike) and walker here. Absolutely agree that cyclists shouldn't be on footpaths, however I do find shared use paths really difficult for everyone concerned. If I'm walking I feel I need to flatten myself against the side when cyclists are coming through, but if I'm cycling I'm ringing my bell apologetically when I'm coming up behind walkers. There's a great towpath between Bath and Bristol which I love to go on, but I'm always convinced I'm going to be in someone's way!

I have nearly run over dogs on many occasions because dog owners think it's OK to let their dog off the lead on a shared cycleway. It's ridiculous to do this and just shows the entitled attitude of dog owners rather than cyclists being at fault.

Also, I am a cyclist who regularly rides on a particular footpath to and from work. It crosses a golf course. I only cycle when it is dry. I have never been challenged by a pedestrian, but I have played out the below exchange in my head for if I ever am:

Pedestrian: "you aren't supposed to cycle here!"
Me: "I know, it's stupid isn't it?"
P: "eh?"
M: "well just look at it, a lovely wide and well surfaced path, on a convenient route into town, with good visibility and plenty of space for more people to use it"
P: "but it's a footpath, you shouldn't be here"
M: "well I guess my only other option is the a-road over there, do you think that is a good place for cyclists?"
P: "hell no, you would slow down all the proper traffic"
M: "and I would be lucky to make it to work without being killed. So what should I do? Would the world be a better place if I didn't cycle and just added yet another car to rush hour traffic?"
P: "...."
M: "have a nice day!"

So in the right circumstances, I think it is totally find to cycle on a footpath, and I would encourage everyone to ask themselves what harm is really being done (and also what good is being done, "one less car" and all that) before challenging all cyclists.

I agree that sometimes it is totally inappropriate and cyclists can be dicks just like anyone else.

My whole point is that I don't see why getting off and walking makes any difference. I might as well cycle, since it does no harm to anyone.

I have nearly run over dogs on many occasions because dog owners think it's OK to let their dog off the lead on a shared cycleway. It's ridiculous to do this and just shows the entitled attitude of dog owners rather than cyclists being at fault.

A woman who lives near me was walking her dog on a narrow public footpath through our local woods, when some fuckwit on a mountain bike came tearing down the hill and ran into the dog.

The poor dog sustained a complex fracture of its femur, just below its pelvis. Three operations and a vet bill that ran into thousands later, the dog could walk ok but not jump, and was very nervous. Thankfully, the owner had insurance. She doesn't go in the woods anymore, and sticks to the fields where she can see who's around.

The cyclist didn't even stop to see if the dog was ok.

I've been forced to jump out of the way on some of the narrow footpaths on the downs when cyclists have come down at speed. On our soft chalk, the paths are often in a sort of gully, and it's not always easy to get out of the way.

They're really well waymarked, too, so there's no excuse for it.

It does make a difference. You expect people to get out of the way, and your wheels impact the surface more than footprints do.

Footpaths work because people travel at similar speeds. Not much overtaking, no need to dash out of the way as you have lots of notice someone is coming.

Cyclists change that not just while they are there, but when they aren’t there, with the damage to the surface and the expectation that a bike may appear at any minute.

Ask yourself this. If it’s ok for cyclists, why not electric bikes, mopeds, motorcross?

But your horse cutting up the path and making it impossible for walkers to use, due to the holes in the ground your horse makes, is all ok?

We've paths around me that are dangerous to walk on due to the divots that have set hard over the recent dry weather.

Seems anyone doing any form of exercise is in the wrong according to MN.

There are 1000's of miles of footpaths and much more limited bridleways for cyclists where trying to make an off road round route often has to mean including riding on a busy road. The footpaths where I ride are usually empty and if I see anyone I will politely get off and let them pass. I have been challenged once or twice before (most people are fine with it if you give way to them) and usually stop and have a polite discussion about my friend who was killed in a head on accident by a car driver, on the road which usually reduces the tension. A little bit of give and take on both sides is my view.

My whole point is that I don't see why getting off and walking makes any difference. I might as well cycle, since it does no harm to anyone.

You could dismount, walk round people then get on again, and go on your way?

My whole point is that I don't see why getting off and walking makes any difference. I might as well cycle, since it does no harm to anyone.

Like I said, entitled. If it's a footpath, get off your bike and walk.

Also, I am a cyclist who regularly rides on a particular footpath to and from work. It crosses a golf course. I only cycle when it is dry. I have never been challenged by a pedestrian, but I have played out the below exchange in my head for if I ever am:

Pedestrian: "you aren't supposed to cycle here!"
Me: "I know, it's stupid isn't it?"
P: "eh?"
M: "well just look at it, a lovely wide and well surfaced path, on a convenient route into town, with good visibility and plenty of space for more people to use it"
P: "but it's a footpath, you shouldn't be here"
M: "well I guess my only other option is the a-road over there, do you think that is a good place for cyclists?"
P: "hell no, you would slow down all the proper traffic"
M: "and I would be lucky to make it to work without being killed. So what should I do? Would the world be a better place if I didn't cycle and just added yet another car to rush hour traffic?"
P: "...."
M: "have a nice day!"

So in the right circumstances, I think it is totally find to cycle on a footpath, and I would encourage everyone to ask themselves what harm is really being done (and also what good is being done, "one less car" and all that) before challenging all cyclists.

I agree that sometimes it is totally inappropriate and cyclists can be dicks just like anyone else.

Also, I am a cyclist who regularly rides on a particular footpath to and from work. It crosses a golf course. I only cycle when it is dry. I have never been challenged by a pedestrian, but I have played out the below exchange in my head for if I ever am:

Pedestrian: "you aren't supposed to cycle here!"
Me: "I know, it's stupid isn't it?"
P: "eh?"
M: "well just look at it, a lovely wide and well surfaced path, on a convenient route into town, with good visibility and plenty of space for more people to use it"
P: "but it's a footpath, you shouldn't be here"
M: "well I guess my only other option is the a-road over there, do you think that is a good place for cyclists?"
P: "hell no, you would slow down all the proper traffic"
M: "and I would be lucky to make it to work without being killed. So what should I do? Would the world be a better place if I didn't cycle and just added yet another car to rush hour traffic?"
P: "...."
M: "have a nice day!"

So in the right circumstances, I think it is totally find to cycle on a footpath, and I would encourage everyone to ask themselves what harm is really being done (and also what good is being done, "one less car" and all that) before challenging all cyclists.

I agree that sometimes it is totally inappropriate and cyclists can be dicks just like anyone else.

For cyclists on shared routes, shout ‘morning’ and ting the bell in plenty of time. Don’t, please, ride up behind me then ting frenziedly as though you’re about to miss a PB.

And where there are off lead dogs, be aware they are effectively like toddlers. Trained but unpredictable as they don’t see the world the way you do.

There’s a real shift in society from rule following for better social cohesion, to do what you like if you can get away with it.
People tend not to bother understanding the reason for the various rules, then say ‘I didn’t realise’, when they’ve caused chaos for some farmer or walker.

It’s a swift and slippery slope to a really unpleasant, dog eat dog world.

Is it is easy to report mistakes and get routes removed on those apps? Do the people you know do that? Sounds important, to their cycling community, otherwise bad information is going to keep building up.

This is in the situation where I am coming up behind them (so going faster than them) and they are taking up much of the bridleway that I cannot get past.

You could dismount, walk round people then get on again, and go on your way?

It does matter to walkers who find their pastime ruined by the damage caused by entitled, thoughtless cyclists.

Cyclists, runners, walkers all seem to get flak on Mumsnet. But then so do fat people. How do you expect people to stay fit and healthy when they’re constantly getting shit for exercising?