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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

224 replies

Watsername · 11/10/2019 18:40

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!)

OP posts:
Original poster
Watsername · 11/10/2019 19:31

@FiddlesticksAkimbo
Yes, BUT I fall onto the verge when I have to stop.

OP posts:
Justmuddlingalong · 11/10/2019 19:32

Ffs. I'd get the bus tbh. 🙄

extremity1 · 11/10/2019 19:32

Pedestrians always have the right of way.

FiddlesticksAkimbo · 11/10/2019 19:33

Yes, BUT I fall onto the verge when I have to stop.

Lower the seat so that your feet can touch the ground?

Justmuddlingalong · 11/10/2019 19:33

Stabilisers?

IvinghoeBeacon · 11/10/2019 19:33

Priority generally is

Pedestrians first
Horses
Cyclists
Cars last

Sorry - on a shared cycle/pedestrian way the pedestrians take priority over you, you are on a machine and going faster, you need to take care of them. It’s not their fault you also need to travel at a busy time. Yes it would be lovely if they were more considerate pedestrians but I’m afraid there isn’t a lot you can do about it.

Original poster
Watsername · 11/10/2019 19:33

Wouldn't it be lovely if there was a bus....I WOULD be on it!

OP posts:
arethereanyleftatall · 11/10/2019 19:35

Yabu. In my view paths that are shared pedestrian/cyclists should only be used by cyclists who are pootling along with a basket. Honestly, as a pedestrian, a fast cyclist is bloody awful.

ChloeDecker · 11/10/2019 19:35

Sorry but pedestrians should not get out of the way for you in this scenario. They have priority on shared paths. You are the danger here. You should slow down and manoeuvre slowly. It’s not their fault can’t control your stops.

Lilytheblue · 11/10/2019 19:35

Stabilisers
😂😂

Original poster
Watsername · 11/10/2019 19:36

I do have a basket Grin

OP posts:
IvinghoeBeacon · 11/10/2019 19:36

It sounds as though it might be quicker for you to walk if you are having to stop so frequently

Original poster
Watsername · 11/10/2019 19:38

No, cycling is definitely quicker. The path in question is probably only a quarter of my journey.

OP posts:
IvinghoeBeacon · 11/10/2019 19:39

Well unfortunately you’ll have to grin and bear it in that case, because you don’t have priority however inconsiderate the pedestrians are

Fredflintstonethefirst · 11/10/2019 19:41

If it's a shared path, with no one having priority, why should they move for you? Perhaps they expect you to move for them. Why do you think you get priority? Why do you "expect" them to be the ones to move?

Figmentofmyimagination · 11/10/2019 19:41

Of course yanbu. Imagine if you were a fellow pedestrian trying to walk past and they blocked your way by filling up the whole path. It’s rude to block the path and the fact that you are on a bike doesn’t suddenly make it ok.

flooredbored · 11/10/2019 19:43

YABU to expect pedestrians to move out of your way! I bloody hate it when I'm on a shared path and a cyclist starts ringing their bell and expecting me to jump out their way.

Justmuddlingalong · 11/10/2019 19:43

Could you enroll in a cycling proficiency refresher course? You sound very wobbly.

Esspee · 11/10/2019 19:44

I would write to the school. They could address the issue at assembly.

Justmuddlingalong · 11/10/2019 19:46

Oh. Please save me a seat at that assembly. Pleeeaaase.

LolaSmiles · 11/10/2019 19:50

I knew there'd be the usual "cyclists are a pain on the cycle paths" lines. It's almost like wherever cyclists are people seem to think they shouldn't be there or defer to everyone else.

On a shared path the basic etiquette is to be aware of others and to move accordingly. That means when we are running as a group, we don't run in large packs and people can get past, cyclists tend to cycle off to the left side in either direction, people with dogs either have them off lead (if appropriatly trained) or on an appropriate lead (rather than the long extendable ones that gets in the way for cyclists, roller bladers, skateboards and other dogs), pedestrians also show courtesy by not wandering in large groups across and letting others past.

At least that's how it works on the shared paths near me, but maybe we are short of Mumsnetters in our area who begrudge having to shift a foot across in the name of not being an arse.

Lemoncurd · 11/10/2019 19:51

As a cyclist, I consider pedestrians to be more vulnerable so always slow and even stop if needed when I see them on a shared path. It really upsets me when people rant about cyclists so don't want to add any further fuel.

Velveteenfruitbowl · 11/10/2019 19:51

It sounds like the cycle path isn’t working. Ask the council to put in a line.

eurochick · 11/10/2019 20:00

Pedestrians are the more vulnerable road users in this scenario so yabu.

When you cycle on the road and are sharing space with cars how would you feel if they just tooted their horns and drive straight at you?

Lucked · 11/10/2019 20:03

Well they should move as a courtesy the same if someone was walking towards them or walking faster. I think your issue is that these are mardy teenagers who are playing chicken with you and delighted that you have to stop.