When cyclists ding you, does it kill a little bit of you inside?

[energywavering]

Because it does me!!

And I tell you what I could probably handle the ding if a "thank you" came along after you move for them..

It's basically saying "ding ding I have right of way over you so MOVE"

I run and cycle on a lot of shared paths and if I hear a bike ding, I just make sure I'm well to the left, give a wee wave with my right hand to acknowledge the ding, and left them safely pass. If I'm out on a group run, we'll organise ourselves single file to let the bike(s) past safely. Nothing aggressive or annoying about it at all. There's a lot of bridges on the canal path I run and cycle on and it's good practise to give a good ding before you go through to warn others coming the other way.

No, it's considerate.

I did watch a woman once repeatedly dig a teenage girl at a bus stop. She had earphones in and probably didn't register the ding as she was on a pavement, queuing at a bus stop. I went to say something but then she saw and moved. No thank you given from the woman who was riding on the pavement and chose to use a bell rather than say "excuse me please". Still annoys me thinking about it now!

[quote Sparklingbrook]@beastlyslumber there’s a really narrow tight bit of path just before a tunnel on the canal. Sign says ‘cyclists dismount’. But it never happens.[/quote]
I think I know exactly where you're talking about! And no, they never dismount.

Fine if letting you know, from a distance, that they are passing you, so that pedestrians/dogs do not step into their path unexpectedly. This should be accompanied by slowing down to pass carefully.

Very much not okay when it's about carrying on cycling at speed past walkers/kids/dogs and expecting them to clear a path for all -important you on the bike. Slow down or stop, negotiate the danger, then continue cycling.

I don't honk at cyclists when I drive so that I can drive past at speed. I slow down and pass correctly when it is safe for all road users.

Should have said, on a shared space it is considerate. On a pavement for pedestrians it is rude. Wait or ask politely to get by.

No, as long as it's somewhere they're supposed to be - they're using the bell for what it's intended for - a way to signal non-confrontationally they are coming so they don't have to shout something at you.

@beastlyslumber you have a stark choice of jumping in the canal or squished up the bricks of the tunnel.
I hate that bend because it’s blind too.

When I’m out on a dog walk enjoying the beautiful countryside, I can often lose myself in deep thought, so if I’m on a path and away with the fairies, I am grateful to any cyclist that dings their bell so I can step aside.

Unless they are shared use, which means shared, neither have 'right of way' although pedestrians always have priority being the most vulnerable user.

So the cyclist should surely wait until they are able to pass a pedestrian "wide and slow" rather than ding their little "get out of my way" bells?

If it's meant as a warning of their approach it's fine and considerate. If they expect me to move out of their way then it's rude and they can fuck right off.

New rules on the roads about leaving plenty of room when overtaking cyclists. A shame so many don't return the favour. Don't get too close. Dismount and push the bike. That's the safe thing to do.

I just assume it's to make sure that I don't move left or right as the come by.
I don't move in either direction, just carry on walking.
Maybe I got it wrong?

Wow you're sensitive. No, it doesn't have that effect on me at all 🥴

I can't stand anyone who berates anyone else for going about their business and being polite to others doing the same in the same space. Walkers, cyclists, horse riders, car drivers etc ... everyone live and let live and enjoy our country
OP you're an entitled idiot

[quote Sparklingbrook]@beastlyslumber you have a stark choice of jumping in the canal or squished up the bricks of the tunnel.
I hate that bend because it’s blind too.[/quote]
That's why they're supposed to dismount!

If you're where I think you are, you'll have heard of the cyclist who got pushed into the canal in return for his inconsiderate behaviour there. Apparently he later said that he deserved it!

Yes it drives me crazy! I go out walking on my own, and keep to one side of a very wide path, they've got absolutely no reason to ring their stupid little bell!

@AndAsIfByMagic

If it's meant as a warning of their approach it's fine and considerate. If they expect me to move out of their way then it's rude and they can fuck right off.

New rules on the roads about leaving plenty of room when overtaking cyclists. A shame so many don't return the favour. Don't get too close. Dismount and push the bike. That's the safe thing to do.

So on a busy, narrow, shared path, cyclists are just supposed to wheel their bikes behind you because you won't deign to move 2 feet? Now that is entitled.

@Killermontstreet

Well what else am I, a cyclist, supposed to do if I am on a narrow shared path and am passing pedestrians? Would you prefer it if I didn't ring my bell and you risk stepping into my path? (I always pass pedestrians as widely as possible in case they haven't heard or are hearing impaired). I do say thanks though.

Get off and walk around them. Not difficult really.

It's false comparison with honking at cyclists on the road, though, as the roads are governed by rules in a way that pedestrians on shared paths are not, and there are correct places for road users to be. If groups of pedestrians are spread out over an entire wide path, you may never be able to pass them without someone moving over a bit. I would certainly slow down to pass people, especially with children and dogs, but of course there are times when you need to pass, and need to ding to warn them or make them aware. You can't just creep along forever behind pedestrians, when a simple ding would mean they could just walk single file or move slightly to the side for a few seconds - nicer for them than having the feeling of someone crawling along behind them, too. But without a ding, many of them wouldn't know you were there.

See as a cyclist I feel like it's a no win situation on shared pathways. Some people prefer you ring the bell before you overtake them so they know you are there. Others feel you are pressuring them to move out of the way. My dad, who is a grumpy old sod, moans either way. Tbh just being on a bike puts me in the wrong in many people's eyes so I am not sure what actually do make much difference

Honestly what do you want them to do? Sneak up behind you and then run your dog over shouting GOTCHA ?

We have shared cycling/walking routes with blind corners, ding ding is needed!

I've been run over by bicycles twice (when I was a kid) it hurts. So no, I do appreciate the warning. Lol

@SoupDragon

Unless they are shared use, which means shared, neither have 'right of way' although pedestrians always have priority being the most vulnerable user.

So the cyclist should surely wait until they are able to pass a pedestrian "wide and slow" rather than ding their little "get out of my way" bells?

It depends on the path, if the pedestrian can move out the way they should, having priority doesnt mean they cant or shouldnt do that it means that other users (horses and cyclists and runners) should mitigate risk to the most vulnerable, hence using the bell and warning them of their approach.

If its so narrow that someone has to step aside then someone will have to, and that would be the same if two walkers walked head on to each other, one of them is going to have to step aside, Im sure you dont get angry about that though.

timbootheyes, it's not really practical to walk around every pedestrian though on a shared path - some busy paths that would mean basically walking the whole time. Which would be pointless, I might as well use my car instead. I slow down for pedestrians, give way where necessary and say thank you - shared paths are about all users being considerate.

@TwinklyBranch

Yes it drives me crazy! I go out walking on my own, and keep to one side of a very wide path, they've got absolutely no reason to ring their stupid little bell!

Have you ever considered anger management?