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

Don’t worry, OP. MN can be like this. I doubt whether, in real life, most people in your shoes wouldn’t feel the same.

I am really perplexed by the assumption that I am arrogant and rude to expect the courtesy I afford others
I'm not perplexed. It's MN and you mentioned you were on a bike.

You could have written an identical thread but said you were walking the dog whilst pushing a pram and you'd have got a very different response.

Offline most people rub along well, try to be courteous and would be understandably irritated when faced with rudeness, lack of common sense and lack of courtesy. It's just fun to come online and pretend that you'd never bat an eyelid at rude behaviour (unless it's something tiny from a MIL in which case they're obviously a narc )

Do you feel better OP if you get lots of people to agree that you are right to feel irritated by the behaviour others? Will that knowledge make your daily commute easier?

I don't understand the almost falling off every time you have to stop. That sounds like a novice problem. Are you using toe cages but not used to them, maybe?

We had quite a revealing discussion on a local facebook group - where cyclists were getting very frustrated at not being able to pick up a good speed on the local paths, it had never occurred to them that pedestrians had the right of way and that if they wanted to build up speed they should cycle on the roads - must say we haven't noticed as many speed freaks on the shared paths recently - maybe they got the message or maybe we need cyclists to pass a highway code test before they get to cycle in public places.

You should’ve left out the bike bit OP. I get what you’re saying about groups of belligerent teens refusing to accommodate others. If you’d bit mentioned you we’re on a bike everyone would’ve been on your side 🤷🏼‍♀️

My AIBU is not about how fast I get somewhere.

Perhaps pedestrians should have to take a highway code test too?
They are, after all, sometimes walking on a cycle path, or venturing across a road.

I am normally a pedestrian. I KNOW what it's like. I move out of the way. I don't want to be run over!

I guess most people don't agree that it makes sense to move..........?

At the end of the day, you have arrogant/selfish morons whether they're pedestrians, cyclists or drivers. I don't think it's anything to do with the mode of transport - it's the person.

The teenagers referred to by the OP will probably also be idiotic when cycling and will probably become arrogant boy-racer types when they drive cars.

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.

So you choose to cycle too fast to be safe on a shared path. You should either slow down, or use the road.

I guess if said pedestrians were made to take a highway code test too, they'd be informed enough to take you to task for cycling over 12 mph on a shared cycle path. I'm guessing that wouldn't suit, either!

Look, I do see your point - it is irritating, if people were sensible and polite they would indeed move to let you pass. However, not everyone is, and the rule of the road is that the more vulnerable road/path user has priority. So that's that really.

I am normally a pedestrian. I KNOW what it's like. I move out of the way. I don't want to be run over! That to me suggests that the cyclists you are meeting are going too fast when you are worried about being run over.

@soggypizza

Don't you move out of the way when you see a person walking towards you? I don't want to walk into them.....

So you choose to cycle too fast to be safe on a shared path. You should either slow down, or use the road.

Have you rtft? She can't cycle forwards at all at any speed because of these people aggressively blocking it. She is doing way under 12 and isn't moving at all. Just because she cycles at 15 elsewhere/ when there is not a pedestrian in sight is irrelevant. It's like driving a car, you don't always drive at 40 or 60 it doesn't define you 🤷🏻‍♀️.

1. Obviously the teenagers should let you pass on your bike. Blocking the whole path is unreasonable. Just like blocking the whole pavement by walking 5 abreast and then refusing to budge for oncoming pedestrians would be unreasonable.

2. They are teenagers and are unlikely to change. You could consider taking this up with their school or...

3. Ride in a convoy. You will still need to ring a bell or call out to the teenagers, and pass them carefully and slowly, but a small group of you would find it smoother going.

“ I am normally a pedestrian. I KNOW what it's like. I move out of the way. I don't want to be run over!”

But this is the problem with your attitude - no pedestrian should be moving to avoid being run over. To be considerate and courteous to other users of the path, yes, but the expectation is that the cyclist, as the one in control of the machine, keeps to a safe pace and slows or stops for pedestrians.

If it's only 1/4 of the journey then maybe just expect to walk that bit? Sounds like would lower stress.

I can't comment on "expecting common courtesy". 80% of what MN calls "expecting common courtesy" I deem to be "AIBU to feel very resentful about this!?" attitudes. I mean, knock yourself out if it makes you happy to be pissed off. It's very in fashion to resent someone. Choose a different target every day. So many.

watsername
MN is funny on this sort of topic though

There was a thread not that long ago where countless posters insisted on arguing against common sense for pages to the effect that it's totally reasonable for pedestrians to walk out into the middle of roads to force cars to stop for them, that it's unreasonable for any other person to expect a pedestrian to look up from their phone when crossing a road or approaching a road etc both arguments seemed to hinge on "well the car should see me and slow down and if they hit me it's because they were driving too fast or dangerously". It beggars belief. The idea that EVERYONE should apply a spot of common sense is beyond some people.

I am normally a pedestrian. I KNOW what it's like. I move out of the way. I don't want to be run over!

OK, I am using hyperbole here. Let me rephrase:
" I am normally a pedestrian. I KNOW what it's like. I move out of the way. I don't want to walk into them!"

Any better?

People move without thinking about it. It's just what they do.

I don't expect them to move to avoid actually being run over. OF COURSE NOT!!!! I am just amazed it doesn't occur to them to make space for a fellow human, whether they are on a bike or not.

People manage to negotiate travelling past each other every single day in shopping centres, corridors etc etc. We can manage it on foot. I am travelling at no more than walking speed (or have actually stopped - as per your post) when nearing these individuals. It should be possible for us to pass without a problem (especially as the path is very wide), but no, because I am on a bike suddenly it is deemed unnecessary to try to pass in a sensible way?

Personally I would record a juggernaut horn on my phone, get a phone mount on the bike and put phone in it and set to volume ridiculous and get as close as possible then play it :-)

Its shared space there is no priority HOWEVER it does make them stupid not to allow people to pass - I would message the relevant school(s) and be prepared to have to ride in the road which is still allowable if there are bike lanes

People move without thinking about it. It's just what they do. I have noticed that this is a thing is took my kids, who are now teens, a long time to learn - in fact I would go as far to say that they still haven't grasped it judging by the amount of times I have to ask them to move when I am walking around the house! They do now move aside for people while out in public - just not at home - they wait to be asked. Every. Bloody. Time.

Yanbu. As a pedestrian I've been nearly bowled over by secondary school kids walking several abreast in the same way from the station. They just ignore those walking on one side and bowl into them, doesn't matter who they are they are completely self absorbed, I've seen the elderly shouldered aside. I employ my elbows now to protect my huge bump.

You might find leaving home ten minutes earlier means the path is virtually empty. Or you could always lobby the school to alter its start time!

Heartily recommended reading to all women who think they should move out of the way as a pedestrian. I taught my girls to do this and it's revolutionised the eldest teenager in particular.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/teaching-daughters-patriarchy-chickennn_5cd2ea26e4b0e524a47e15d4

FluffyEarMuffs
The OP situation isn't anything like patriarchy chicken.

It's about people walking in groups on shared paths who think everyone should move around them, whilst loads of posters seem to have decided that the OP must have been at fault because she dared to ride a bike.

@LolaSmiles I'd already responded two or three times to the OP original post, however she appears to have branched off into "all pedestrians should give way".

Isn't it common sense that everyone enables others to pass though?

If I'm walking the dog on our shared path then I'll move to one side if I see someone in the opposite direction and they also move so we both pass problem free.

If I see a bike then I'll call dog back to me on one side, just because I'm meandering and they're being direct.

If I'm on my bike (admittedly at snail pace) then I always ride on the left edge out the way of other people, other cyclists also keep to the left in the opposite direction.

This thread has made me laugh a bit because a few of our shared paths in my area are well used and we don't seem to have half the drama that people on this thread have.
I'm starting to think I don't live in a very mumsnetty area.

FluffyEarMuffs

I do that

Still, I think when there is a massive wide path and someone, man or woman, is coming the other way and you’re walking six abreast with your friends, it’s your turn to move.