One Question

[mocawuwe]

I have just bought my first cycle as an adult. There is a road, where there is a cycle track on the pavement, that is shared with pedestrians. It is separated by a line for cyclists and pedestrians.

Can I cycle both directions on this track or must I only cycle in the same direction as the traffic?

 

[vickster]

You can cycle in both directions regardless of the traffic flow (unless it indicates otherwise), if one side is marked with a bike, try to stick to that side unless you need to pass another bike or ped (you don’t say how wide it is).

If there are pedestrians, moderate your speed, and they have priority as the more vulnerable user even if they are on the ‘Bike’ side. If necessary slow right down or stop to go past or allow them to go past. Dogs and children are especially unpredictable!

 

[I like Skol]

Welcome to the wonderful world of cycling
The very fact you are asking this and thinking about the situation already puts you way ahead of many users so you are off to a flying start.
I won't add anything to the sensible advice above except to point out that you don't have to use the cycle path if you don't want to. They are not compulsory and can sometimes be terrible peices of infrastructure that are best avoided. It's your choice and you might be better served staying on the road?

 

[Willd]

A lot of the cycle paths round here are overgrown with bushes and other vegetation, making them half the width they should be. This coupled with blind bends and many crossing driveways, make the road a much safer option at anything much above a slow tootle. Less people with headphones on and wandering zombie-like transfixed to mobile phones too.

 

[boydj]

I wouldn't cycle in the 'wrong' direction on a shared path like that. I'd be either on the road in the right direction or on a shared path on the other side.

 

[CanucksTraveller]

I wouldn't cycle in the 'wrong' direction on a shared path like that. I'd be either on the road in the right direction or on a shared path on the other side.

Me too, in most circumstances anyway. You kind of know when you look at a particular path don't you. You get a feel for it.

The exception around my town is the railway station, there is a single shared path on the station approach and that is two way and operates as such most of the day, with an obvious rush hour trend or push in one direction at the critical hours. There is a road as well, I use that if I'm cycling against the prevailing flow so to speak. (I keep funny hours work wise). Nothing wrong or unlawful about me using the path against the prevailing flow, it would just be a bit contrary to common sense.