Rights of Way.

[Nealh]

Seen on BBC news this a.m, Cycle U.K are petitioning government to get more people cycling by trying to get public rights of way changed by law as they have in Scotland. Thousands of miles of little used footpaths and other tracks could be put to better use.
The idea is a good one but I can see conflict ahead with ramblers however most of these tend to be weekenders so not an issue for me, the other issues are kissing gates and styles. I often use FP's mainly during the week when I cycle off road and have hardly yet met a soul on them but try and not use the ones I know with K/gates and larger styles as it gets weary lifting a 18/20kg bike over them.

 

[Emo Rider]

Seen on BBC news this a.m, Cycle U.K are petitioning government to get more people cycling by trying to get public rights of way changed by law as they have in Scotland. Thousands of miles of little used footpaths and other tracks could be put to better use.
The idea is a good one but I can see conflict ahead with ramblers however most of these tend to be weekenders so not an issue for me, the other issues are kissing gates and styles.

I do agree that foot paths are not cycle friendly as a rule. The ones that are are indeed used by cyclists in my area, including myself. I did not know there was a restriction until I saw the same program this morning.

I never had any difficulties with walkers as I am a considerate cyclist. I do get a lot of grief, however, from pedestrians on shared paths and desinated cycleways.

My observation of it all is that a lot of grief would be spared by all if everyone followed these simple rules:

1-Both walkers and riders keep to the left
2- Mandatory working bell on bicycle
3- Mandatory use of said bell
4- Over take to the right once your presence is acknowledged (this goes for pedestrials as well)
5- Pedestrians have the right of way except on designated cycleways.

 

[Emo Rider]

Seen on BBC news this a.m, Cycle U.K are petitioning government to get more people cycling by trying to get public rights of way changed by law as they have in Scotland. Thousands of miles of little used footpaths and other tracks could be put to better use.
The idea is a good one but I can see conflict ahead with ramblers however most of these tend to be weekenders so not an issue for me, the other issues are kissing gates and styles. I often use FP's mainly during the week when I cycle off road and have hardly yet met a soul on them but try and not use the ones I know with K/gates and larger styles as it gets weary lifting a 18/20kg bike over them.

I should add rule #6-When said bell is rung pedestrians should acknowlge your approach. Those with blaring headphones, well you're on your own

 

[LeighPing]

It bugs me when people don't use their bells. Or, don't have one fitted. Even calling out would be something! Rant over.

At least having an ebike gives you the option of off roading to get out of their way.

 

[gray198]

I would agree that many footpaths could be safely used for cycling if people used a bit of common sense and courtesy. Nothing worse than walking along and some idiot comes hurtling past without any warning . Talking about bells, some years ago I was riding along a canal footpath and rang bell to warn some walkers. Instead of a thank you all I got was a ' Suppose you want us to move' in a sneering way. Idiots on both sides. On a slightly different tack a lot of footpaths in my area are being converted to bridleways in order to be used for horses. This is being done under the most flimsiest of reasons even where it is clearly unsafe to do so. Seems that health and safety are not a concern. So on that basis it would seem possible that footpaths could be converted to bridleways to be able to legally cycle on them. From what we were told when questioning the conversion it would seem that there is a concentrated effort to do this throughout the country

 

[LeighPing]

a lot of footpaths in my area are being converted to bridleways in order to be used for horses. This is being done under the most flimsiest of reasons even where it is clearly unsafe to do so.

Agreed. It's the same here.

 

[georgehenry]

I have a bell and use it all the time and find it strange that so many bicyclists do not. I get a lot of relieved "So nice to hear a bell etc comments". Like LeighPing I was riding on a canal tow path on my Oxygen E-mate city yesterday in a world of my own enjoying my surroundings in bottom assist when I got overtaken by a cyclist with no warning that made me jump and it would have been so nice to have had a warning hello.

 

[Alan Quay]

I have a bell and use it all the time and find it strange that so many bicyclists do not. I get a lot of relieved "So nice to hear a bell etc comments". Like LeighPing I was riding on a canal tow path on my Oxygen E-mate city yesterday in a world of my own enjoying my surroundings in bottom assist when I got overtaken by a cyclist with no warning that made me jump and it would have been so nice to have had a warning hello.

One problem with a bell is that the public often don't know how to use a shared cycle route. Sometimes when I ring my bell they jump from one side to the other. Other times they will hug the edge of the cycle way and scowl at me as if I expected them to completely vacate the area.

Most times I attempt to make a noise by other means to avoid this problem. A noisy change down is my favourite. Let's them know I'm there without hassle of guessing which way they'm gonna jump.

The other day a woman with a loose dog told me off.
'You nearly run him over. You shouldn't even be cycling here'.
I remained polite, but pointed out a sign declaring this as national cycling route 2, and asking owners to keep dogs on leads.

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[D8ve]

Alan,

Come on now. Applying reason and signs to justify your reckless cycling.
Claiming that just because the sign says it's a national Cyclepath....
Dear dear me...
Were you cycling nationally ? I think she was a local lady and its local rules, for local people.

 

[Alan Quay]

Alan,

Come on now. Applying reason and signs to justify your reckless cycling.
Claiming that just because the sign says it's a national Cyclepath....
Dear dear me...
Were you cycling nationally ? I think she was a local lady and its local rules, for local people.

I'm pretty sure she was a grockle.

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[flecc]

My method with pedestrians is simple and causes no conflict. I sound the bell on approach and slow right down, especially if coming up from behind. Then as I start to pass very slowly I smile and say "Sorry to disturb you". The reaction is never worse than neutral and usually much better. For example one man in a couple saying "Thank you, no problem at all" and on another occasion a lady saying with a smile "Thank you for ringing your bell".

In short, just the use of old fashioned good manners prevents any problem arising.
.

 

[D8ve]

I'm pretty sure she was a grockle.

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Sorry my mistook, local paths for locals, but national paths for grockles.

 

[tillson]

I agree up to a point. However, I do find cyclists riding on footpaths an annoyance when I'm walking my dog. I keep him on a lead when on bridle roads or other shared use path ways, but on footpaths I don't. On a few occasions he has come close to being run over by cyclists using footpaths and if cycling activity is officially extended to these areas, I fear that the problem could become worse.

I walk miles with my dog and to have him constantly on a lead would spoil the enjoyment for both of us, so on balance, I'd rather things stay as they are.

 

[LEBC Tom]

I'd say it’s about 'common sense'. You're on a vehicle that if used incorrectly could cause someone a serious injury, just slow down when you’re not sure about what's happening in front of you, enjoy cycling!


Whilst on a trip to Friedrichshafen, Germany for the euro bike show in September last year with Dave from Kudos bikes (thanks Dave) we were driving from Zurich up to the event and I remember thnking how cars, cyclists and pedestrians all just got on with it. Intermingling with very little fuss or anger towards each other, it was all a matter of acceptance.

 

[the_killjoy]

The thing with the bell is not to wait until you 3 ft from them to sound it and make them jump but to use it at a distance to give them time to react ~ unless they have earphones in, in which case just scream at them.