To expect pedestrians to move out of way on a shared cycle/pedestrian path

[Watsername]

I have recently moved house and now cycle to and from work every day. I cycle almost exclusively on cycle paths which are shared spaces for cyclists and pedestrians.

Because of where I work I travel at the same time as children are going to and from a local secondary school. So I am on the shared space cycle path at the same time as a lot of teenagers.

AIBU to expect the teens to move out of the way when they see a bike coming? I am getting fed up of having to stop on the path as they walk 5-6 abreast and don't move. When I stop I wobble off and have nearly fallen into a busy A-Road several times.

Surely they don't want to get run over?!

If I ring my bell or say 'excuse me' politely I get dirty looks, sworn at, or roared at (yes, really!)

Does it have a line down the middle? Bellow at them that you're going to run them over and just keep going. They'll leap out the way soon enough

No, no line, sadly. We both have equal rights to all the space.

You're seriously expecting a group of teenagers to show consideration to a proper grownup??!

Of course YANBU, but it's not going to change, so you either slow right down/stop as you approach them (why does that make you wobble off?) or seethe every time you get on your bike. I'd be going down the 'acceptance' route, even if I actually wanted to run into them.

If there's a line dividing cyclists and pedestrians, or the path is otherwise demarcated, YANBU.

If not, then YAB a bit U expecting them to move over for you (although if they're taking up the whole path I'd just stop and force them to go round).

They ABU to swear and shout.

It depends on the path. Lots of the ones near me are shared cycle/pedestrian paths with pedestrian priority. If it's one of those, then no, they don't "have" to move over, but common sense would hopefully prevail!

Very funny that you think they have actually seen you! As if!

Why are you nearly falling off as you slow down?

I love your optimism.

Use a bell?

I think I wobble because I am riding right at the edge of the path so as to be as considerate as possible to the pedestrians, and the path is raised compared to the road or verge on the other side. I instinctively put my foot down on the side away from the children, which is lower than the path - hence the wobble.

If there is no line then YABU.

I don't think a line down the middle would make a difference.

Everyone knows that you're supposed to walk on the line, weaving from side to side while you stare at your phone. Apparently...

No line, and no stated priority for either pedestrians or cyclists....

This is why shared paths are rubbish for everyone

I’m curious as to why a line would make a difference. In the absence of a line it’s supposed to be a shared space, so both cyclists and pedestrians should be considerate of each other and share. If the pedestrians are taking up the whole width, that’s not sharing, so they ABU.

To be honest, I doubt there is much you can do to change the teenagers behaviour. Near me the general rule us keep left so in shared spaces (No lines) the pedestrians would stay left and the cyclists overtake on the right then tuck back left once round them, to make space for oncoming bikes and pedestrians.

Can you move your hours a bit to avoid them?

If your feet are clipped into the pedals, or your seat racing height, I can see why stopping makes you wobble and fall off. An option there is normal pedals or lower seat height for the commute.

None of this is ideal, obviously! Any other routes to try?

These particular pedestrians are teenager's though.

AIBU to expect the teens to move out of the way when they see a bike coming?

Why single out "teens". We have a canal footpath near us that I use daily. It's the OAPs and dog walkers, walking 2/3 abreast who won't move over, not even for other pedestrians coming towards them. I don't cycle on it much, but I walk every day and got so fed up of them expecting me to walk on the slippy grass that I now just stand there until they go into single file to pass me. And don't get me started on extendable dog leads!

I find cyclists rarely move out the way

Only when cyclist routinely give way to cars on the shared roads

I did lower the seat, but it hurt my knees :( sadly no option to change route or hours.

Would it not make more sense to just use the road. Less stopping and starting that way surely?

What about those who are hard of hearing? Why should cyclists take priority? Shared pathways are just that. You will have to adjust your expectations and behaviour rather than expect people to jump out of your way.

I suppose I could use the road, BUT it's either VERY busy, or completely stationary (so cycling on the shared path is faster even with stopping and starting).

How fast are you? Shared cycle paths are designed for slower cyclists. 12mph or less.if you're someone who averages around 15mph (quite common for regular commuters) the highway code recommends you use the road.

Can I just clarify something?
Presumably, in order to get onto the cycle path from your front door and to work you need to use A or B roads? And do you pull over if you are holding up/inconveniencing cars or if cars beep their horn at you?
If you don't then you are being extremely unreasonable!
Cyclists love to say, "... we all have equal rights to the space, I can't believe that person beeped at me, expecting me to move, I was just getting from A to B, they should just go more slowly behind me and leave earlier for work, I'm not hurting anyone..." and think they are perfectly reasonable in saying so. But now swap it so that the pedestrian is saying that.
If you are expecting cars on the road to wait behind you yet won't wait behind pedestrians then you are basically saying that cyclists deserve priority at all times over all other traffic and surely must see how utterly ridiculous and unreasonable that is.