To think people walking their dogs on cycle paths should make sure they don't run up to bikes!

[bettycocker]

I live in a part of the countryside that is quite popular with tourists. So, there are plenty of special cycling trails, walkers only and running trails.

I like to go out cycling on the designated cycling trails. When ever I go out on my bike, there is always that one dog walker who doesn't seem to care that they are on the cycle trail. They just let their dogs run towards bikes.

Don't they realise that this is a little bit dangerous and inconsiderate? It's dangerous for their dog as much as anything. There are loads of routes they could take if they want to let their dogs run about. Why do it on the cycle trails?

I almost went into someone's dog today. She didn't even call it back when she saw it running head on towards my bike. This isn't an anti dog gripe, just a gripe about clueless dog walkers on cycling trails.

AIBU to think people like this could just use the other trails?

[BerylStreep]

I must say that on our local Greenway, most dog owners are fabulous, they hold their dogs in whilst I pass, and I always say thank you to them as I go by. If I see a dog either not on a lead, or the owner hasn't seen / heard me, I slow right down so that no-one is likely to get injured. Obviously same applies to children!

[cumfy]

But there aren't really any cycle-only paths are there ?

They are all cyclists and pedestrians.

YABU.

[bettycocker]

freddiefrog I know what you mean. I see a lot of families out with young children on their bikes. So, this means slowing down. In fact, it's just considerate to slow down when you pass pedestrians.

I'm not suggesting that cyclists have priority over everyone else. But, they kind of do on a cycle path.

[RobinBedRest]

Paths named cycle paths indicates cyclists may use them in addition to walkers (who shock horror may bring their small children out to enjoy the countryside).

A footpath is only for walkers, so the 'higher' grading of cyclepath or bridleway idicates other uses, not the priority use.

No dogs shouldn't be out of control in any situation but YABU to think your use as a cycle take priority.

[DownyEmerald]

We bought dd a bike the other weekend. First go on her new bike on the cycle track and some idiot with a dog that basically was running between his bike and any other bike passing, and jumping up to the riders. DD understandably shoved on her brakes and I nearly ran over her (her brakes a lot better than mine!).

Met them coming the other way after we'd turned round - exactly the same thing happened again.

It wasn't entirely clear who was in charge of the dog (due to it's free ranging habit) so DP possibly shouted at the wrong person!

[RobinBedRest]

Oh and YABU to say their are other routes they could use, if it is a right of way, they have a right to use it.

[bettycocker]

I wouldn't want to walk along the cycle paths round here in the summer. It gets rammed with avid cyclers. I learned that when I first moved here and almost got mown down a couple of times.

[freddiefrog]

I'm not suggesting that cyclists have priority over everyone else. But, they kind of do on a cycle path.

Except, they kind of don't. A cyclepath is simply a path where cycling is permitted. They are shared. No one has priority.

[FunnysInLaJardin]

we have had 2 incidents like this this weekend with cyclists on a shared pedestrian/cycle path going way too fast and having to shriek to a holt for my DC who were just walking along. Some cyclists seem to think they have the right of way, not that on a shared path we ought to beware of one another. If you want to whizz along, use the road

[FunnysInLaJardin]

and the cyclists who was have encountered this weekend have been horribly aggressive. Shouting 'get out of the way' and similar. In fact on the way home we all agreed that all and any problems were prob to do with cyclists. Some think they are a higher breed, honestly

[TinaSurrey]

My children like to cycle/scoot along the promenade at the seafront. Half is marked as a cycle lane. If my little one goes on her bike in that lane (wobbling & weaving about) she would be sent flying or cause an accident to the adults whizzing along at the speed of light. If she cycles on the pedestrian side she may weave slightly in front of a pedestrian. I never know which lane is correct for children!

[givemushypeasachance]

As someone who commutes by bike and walking on a shared-use cycle/footpath, I'll just chip in my two cents that whenever I mention cycling at work several colleagues will inevitably complain about the last cyclist who was behaving irresponsibly and nearly knocked them down by passing without warning and the last cyclist who 'dinged' at them with a bell. A lot of people who don't cycle seem to think that ringing your bell is a 'get out of my way' message rather than a 'excuse me I'm alerting you to my presence' message, so it really is impossible to please everyone when on a shared path.

[BerylStreep]

Mushy - I agree - using the bell seems so aggressive and entitled (but I know it makes sense). Quite often I click my shoes out of the cleats and put them back in, and that alerts people to the fact I am there, or I just say, 'excuse me, coming up on your right', but then I'm not usually going particularly fast.

[FionaJT]

I also often get people tutting, or even shouting at me if I ring the bell as I'm coming up behind them, but I still do it because it's safer. I use a cycle path that has a big white line down the middle, with one side marked for bikes and the other for pedestrians, and my particular bugbear are the dog walkers who stay on the pedestrian side and let their dog wander right across the other lane on its extendable lead. (Irresponsible use of extendable leads is a whole other story, though!)

[ChasingDogs]

YANBU as it is common sense to call your dog to you when a bike is approaching (unless it is approaching at speed, and in calling your dog you are likely to call it straight into the path of said bike). And obviously dogs should not be allowed to jump up at cyclists.

To be fair though, I have the opposite problem here. The paths are very narrow (you couldn't walk two abreast), visibility is rubbish due to the trees/overgrowth and getting out of the way of cyclists is almost impossible as the woods we walk on are on the side of a very steep hill. The footpaths are little more than muddy trails running along the hills with the odd set of very, very steep steps to get from the top to the bottom (I like heights but they make even me dizzy!).

Sadly this seems to attract weekend mountain bikers rather than deter them Over the summer you can expect to be confronted with a 25mph bike on these narrow paths at least once per walk, and these aren't cycle paths either. Lots of course are as careful as they can be, and will try to avoid you (not easy on a winding path with no visibility ahead!) but there are still those that will scream abuse because you're in the way/have caused them to have to slam on the breaks. How can you avoid that though on such paths? It's like doing 70 down a country lane and then getting pissed that there's a tractor around the next blind bend.

I drive/walk/hike/ride horses in the countryside and have come to the conclusion over the years that the only thing that makes it pleasant is common courtesy and mutual respect. Sadly though this seems to be vanishing and a sense of entitlement from all parties is taking over.

[ChasingDogs]

As for ringing bells, I think it wise. It does annoy me a little when somebody rings their bell 3 microseconds before whizzing past my head, as that rather defeats the point of the bell. But in general I'm all thanks, particularly if on horseback. I've no preference between the ringing of a bell and "coming through!" but then all the wine over the years has chilled me a bit. I'm not all that paranoid about bell ringing cyclists demanding I remove myself from their paths with the power of their bell

Extendable leads are the work of the devil in all contexts and should be banned forthwith. I have spoken.

[Lorialet]

I walk my dog on a local cycle path. It's a public path maintained by the council (to whom I pay an extortionate amount of council tax so I have every right to use it too). My dog always heels if we see a bike coming, but, there are always one or two cyclists who come speeding up behind us without ringing their bells, or come whizzing round corners with no regard for anyone (human or canine) coming the other way. Just because they;re called "cycle trails", it doesn't mean cyclists own them. YABU.

[QuintessentialOldDear]

I have yet to meet a considerate dog owner.....

[ChasingDogs]

We all avoid your area QuintessentialOldDear.

[MsFanackerPants]

I have encountered walkers on bike only trails at a trail centre (Coed Llandegla) and at Cannock Chase. On one occasion they were on the boardwalk and kicked up fuss about mountain bikers using the er... bike trail which is clearly marked as a bike trail and not for walking.
We live next to a canal that attracts a lot of cyclists as well as walkers plus locals with kids and/or dogs. Never seen or had any problems when riding on it or when walking the world's stupidest spaniel. But then I also don't go out assuming all cyclists/runners/dog walkers are out to annoy me or are all rude and inconsiderate.

[MidniteScribbler]

Out here, pedestrians have right of way on a shared use track. That doesn't seem to stop the cyclists thinking that ringing their little bell and a "coming through" means that everyone should dive out of their way. I take great pleasure in walking right down the middle with my five dogs in front of any entitled cyclists :)

[bettycocker]

I know what you mean about feeling as though ringing your bell is aggressive, but I just want people to know there's a bike coming.

[Labradorwhisperer]

QuintessentialOldDear.... Pleased to meet you.

Now do please toddle along.

[MidniteScribbler]

bettycocker, ringing your bell is fine and a polite "excuse me", and I have no problem moving aside. It's the ones that ring, ring, ring then bellow "coming through!" that bring out my passive aggressive side.