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!)

I’d be sympathetic OP but honestly I’m really short on sympathy for cyclists atm. I live in a ‘share the road’ city where cyclists (with ample provision of wide cycle lanes available to them) insist on riding 3 and 4 abreast or in packs on single lane roads so cars can’t pass, it’s just as fucking frustrating when drivers like me are trying to get to work believe me.

Love how the attitudes of cyclists change to suit themselves. On the roads, they have a right to be there and can slow traffic as much as they like - it's drivers with the attitude problem. On shared pedestrian paths, how dare slower movers get in their way - it's pedestrians with the attitude problem.

This!!!

The way to solve this problem is simple: phase out the car lanes on roads.

Then the pedestrians can have the paths.

Love how the attitudes of cyclists change to suit themselves. On the roads, they have a right to be there and can slow traffic as much as they like - it's drivers with the attitude problem. On shared pedestrian paths, how dare slower movers get in their way - it's pedestrians with the attitude problem.
It's not slowing down that's an issue on shared paths.
Everyone has a responsibility to not be an arse and behave with courtesy.

That means that there will be some situations where pedestrians are being an arse (just like there are some situations on the road when a cyclist can be an arse, or drivers or anyone else).
e.g. pedestrians walking 5 or 6 across making it difficult for ANYONE to get past in either direction. It not unreasonable for ANYONE to have an issue with that behaviour because it's being an arse and not showing common sense. It doesn't matter whether they are walking 5 or 6 across preventing a cyclist getting through at ease, or whether they are refusing to move across seeing someone on a mobility scooter coming towards them, or expecting a family to single file on the verge area. The fact is they are being arses and that sort of behaviour isn't acceptable just because there's a cyclist complaining.

I swear some people on MN just love a good bike moan.

They’re being very inconsiderate. All the rest of this is just excuses.

In shared space the cyclist should ride slower and if necessary give way to people on foot. Doesn't matter who they are. A dog walker, parent with a buggy and a toddler, an old man with a walking stick, or a group of school kids it does not matter. Bikes are a danger to pedestrians so they should slow down.

In the same way when I'm driving I slow downs for cyclists riding 2 or 3 abreast in packs on country lanes, teenage girls on horse back, and people walking dogs or out for a run on roads without a pavement. It can be annoying sometimes I know but we all have to take responsibility to keep others safe. Just allow yourself more time to get to work.

OP I'm surprised you haven't learnt to cycle slowly with all the practice you have.

Anyway were I live there are shared paths and cycle paths.

The only time I've had swearing is when I've told pedestrians on the cycle paths to watch out it is a cycle path.

On the shared paths I cycle much much slower and find it is OAPs with and without dogs the problem. Parents with toddlers and small children are the best as they tell their kid to get out of the way even though the kid tends to be more predictable than an OAP in their movements.

Regardless if people are coming the opposite way and refuse to make space I've learnt to just stay still they will realise they have to do something to help resolve the situation. I have done this walking, running, on a bike and in a car.

If you are racing to work, the place for you is the road.
Yes kids shouldn't dawdle and block the path but they don't have the option of going on the road to get where they are going.

nagynolonger
I agree with you.

Everyone should use common sense and decency. It's not so much about speed or slowing down etc. I love cycle paths because I'm not a road cyclist and I'm slow, the shared paths near me have a good range of people and everyone manages just fine.

What I find hilarious on this thread is that people are seriously trying to suggest that it's wrong of a cyclist to expect basic common sense and courtesy from other path users (when I'd bet money on them saying people walking 5 abreast pushing other pedestrians to the verge, or preventing families with kids on training bikes/scooters, or runners, or mobility scooters, or dog walkers etc is rude and inconsiderate).

Yanbu to wish they wouldn’t walk 6 abreast. It’s really inconsiderate of them.

However, yabu to genuinely think that this will happen. They are totally absorbed in teenageness- even looking right at you they probably don’t “see” you!

Riding in a shared space though, you really do need to be able to slow down and stop with wobbling off.

These type of pathways are BS. On one hand cyclists aren’t allowed on pavements and on the other they implement these shared pathways purely to meet a quota. At the minimum they should be segregated.

Yes kids shouldn't dawdle and block the path but they don't have the option of going on the road to get where they are going.

But they do have the option of moving out of the way, which is what they should be doing when anyone is coming in the opposite direction.

The excuses on this thread suggest to me why young people think it’s okay to behave like this. My DD would be in no doubt of my annoyance if I saw her treating people like this in public!

I’d be sympathetic OP but honestly I’m really short on sympathy for cyclists atm. I live in a ‘share the road’ city where cyclists (with ample provision of wide cycle lanes available to them) insist on riding 3 and 4 abreast or in packs on single lane roads so cars can’t pass, it’s just as fucking frustrating when drivers like me are trying to get to work believe me.

I bet traffic caused by cars and lorries etc cause more delays to your journey than cyclists.

Of course they should move over but they're teenagers so I wouldn't hold your breath for grown up, reasonable and considerate behaviour.

Have to say this goes both ways, I walk my daughter to school along a shared use path and so many cyclists don't ring their bells, or say excuse me, and except my daughter and I to move off the path into the grass so they can ride two abreast on the path.

Of course they should move over but they're teenagers so I wouldn't hold your breath for grown up, reasonable and considerate behaviour.

Seems rather little to expect of people who will soon be adults. I wouldn’t accept it from my child.

We have one of these near ours through a public churchyard and the vicar helped establish via the council that cyclists should be slowing down and stopping for pedestrians. I think there might be a sign saying as much now. This is near to schools as well. 2 primary and 1 secondary.

Ring your bell - 'I'm not moving just cause you're ringing your bell at me'
Don't ring your bell - 'oi haven't you got a bloody bell??'

^^ exactly this.

There are some ridiculous responses to this thread. The OP is slowing down to give way to the pedestrians who are blocking the whole path and walking 3/4 abreast.

Quite clearly if cyclists were cycling 3/4 abreast on the road that would be breaking the Highway Code and would be unreasonable so the comparison is ridiculous.

Yes on cycle paths you shouldn't cruise along at break neck speed expecting pedestrians to jump out of the way. But equally pedestrians aggressively blocking it isn't on either.

Shared paths in reality only really work when not many people actually use them I think. There is one I use regularly but not many people walk on it. If they did I'd use the road personally.

You might not accept it from 'your soon to be adult' but you won't see how they behave when you are not there.

You might not accept it from 'your soon to be adult' but you won't see how they behave when you are not there.

Typically, young people behave as they have been taught to behave, with some exceptions and with allowances for peer pressure. I suspect a well-brought up child would, in most cases, move aside.

Why not just set out 15 minutes earlier and miss the school kids? If you live near/go past a high school regularly you learn to do this, whether you're walking, cycling or driving.

Magnetic - if cyclists are impeding ypur journey to work (although i would suggest its the weight of traffic on the roads that actually is) - why not join them? You'll never be late again!

On shared cycle lanes the more vulnerable user has right of way and that's the pedestrian.

The person who is more likely to inflict injury should move out of the way. As a car should move around a cyclist. You wouldn’t expect a cyclist to move off the road for a car.

You can’t have it both ways.

OP here.

I am really bemused by the majority of responses early on in my thread.

My AIBU is about expecting common courtesy.
AI seriously BU to expect people to divert very slightly when they can see me coming from over 100m away?

The secondary issue is about whether cyclists can us a cycle path - how rude to suggest they can't. Section 61 of the Highway Code says a cyclist should use one if it's available - just what I am doing.

Perhaps people can't envisage the path I am on. It is WIDE, raised and very straight (today I noticed it has a number on the National Cycle Network). It is a fantastic path because there is PLENTY of room for BOTH cyclists and pedestrians when they are being courteous. You could easily have 3 pedestrians next to each other and still have plenty of room for a bike.

Perhaps I am over estimating how fast I am going? I am the archetypal middle-aged lady on a bike - imagine an old-fashioned ladies bike with a basket with flowers in it. I cycle 'fast' (perhaps 15mph) when noone is there, and slow for people. OF COURSE I wouldn't run people over. I am polite on and off my bike.

I am really perplexed by the assumption that I am arrogant and rude to expect the courtesy I afford others.