shared cycle paths

[ufkacbln]

Didn't actually get much chance [check the timeline] besides wasn't the one calling me anticyclist simply because I believed that a cycle should be equipped with a bell [or a horn] seems I was wrong OOER clearly a hanging offence.

... and it would have been much more constructive to explain the error, rather than personal attacks

There are common misconceptions about bells, and some sources are unclear about the distinction between point of sale and use

 

[dickyknees]

I don't have a bell on any of my bikes. For some reason I see ringing a bell in the same light as beeping a horn impolite.
All the New Forest tracks are shared use, the technique I use is wait until I'm close enough that I'm not bellowing like a fisherman's wife, call out a cheery "excuse me please", followed by a "good morning/afternoon/evening" (delete as appropriate) when they've jumped because they were in a world of their own. Then to finish it off a nice cheery "thank you" after I've past (and made sure Fido is not glued to my rear wheel).
I do this even if they are miserable gits, or have parked their car on half of the path and are stood yapping on their phone on the other half. Because I know I have been reasonable to them, and if they are harbouring ill will towards me, it's their fault.

My advice to the OP, expect everyone else to be a miserable git out to make your life hard, and act in unpredictable ways. That way when you find a helpful person your day will be much brighter.

This approach works for me too.
Slowing down and a simple "excuse me" within their hearing range and a "thank you" afterwards. That said if they are wearing earphones means a slow pass and scaring the living day lights out of them.

 

[Sara_H]

I use a lot of shared paths. Incredibly frustrating. Some of them are barely fit for purpose. It's very slow going having to keep slowing doen for people who are walking on the bike bit or my wander into your path any second. Also having to give way at every driveway and junction.
Still, as someone who's been deliberately run over by a road rager, I'd rather take the slower option where its available than mix with the motards texting/facebooking/shaving/doing their mascara whilst driving up behind me at 40mph.

 

[briantrumpet]

I use a lot of shared paths. Incredibly frustrating. Some of them are barely fit for purpose. It's very slow going having to keep slowing doen for people who are walking on the bike bit or my wander into your path any second. Also having to give way at every driveway and junction.
Still, as someone who's been deliberately run over by a road rager, I'd rather take the slower option where its available than mix with the motards texting/facebooking/shaving/doing their mascara whilst driving up behind me at 40mph.

That's the reality of the choice for most of us without 'cycle super highways'. I take my chances on the road, partly because it gets me where I want to go much more quickly, but also because I like to remind motorists that roads, like PWABPOs, are shared-use spaces.

 

[Sara_H]

A scenario on the Tarka Trail.......
Me, riding into town on touring bike to pick up some shopping. Two pedestrians walking all over the place, with their backs to me.
I sounded my (fairly loud) bell at about 30 yds out, then again at about 15 yds ........ no reaction from peds. I called out at about 10 yds.... no reaction. I slowed to about 5 mph and called out again. As I went past them, the woman shouted angrily 'Use your bell !'
I stopped and pointed out the sequence of events.......... at which point she stated that I shouldn't be riding on the pavement anyway!
I give up!

Recently in my local park (which is the route to my Mums house) I was behind an older couple, tinkling my bell like a good-un. No response what so ever so passed wide and very slow. Cue lady jumps out of her skin and gives me the glare, so I pre emptively said "I did ring my bell, numerous times" to which she replied that she thought the noise was coming from a tree! And gave me more evil glares!!

 

[Garry A]

I'd rather take the slower option where its available than mix with the motards texting/facebooking/shaving/doing their mascara whilst driving up behind me at 40mph.

Hard to believe but I passed a driver yesterday and he was brushing his teeth.

 

[oldroadman]

I use a lot of shared paths. Incredibly frustrating. Some of them are barely fit for purpose. It's very slow going having to keep slowing doen for people who are walking on the bike bit or my wander into your path any second. Also having to give way at every driveway and junction.
Still, as someone who's been deliberately run over by a road rager, I'd rather take the slower option where its available than mix with the motards texting/facebooking/shaving/doing their mascara whilst driving up behind me at 40mph.

A French word meaning someone who rides a motor cycle, not drives a car. Perhaps you meant (alleged) drivers....

 

[Dirk]

Why do pedestrians, walking side by side, split up and move to opposite sides of the path, when they know a bike is approaching from the rear? Why not just single out?
I've had a couple of close shaves with people making a sudden move to the opposite side of the path to their walking companion.
The indecisive ones are the worst.

 

[briantrumpet]

Why do pedestrians, walking side by side, split up and move to opposite sides of the path, when they know a bike is approaching from the rear? Why not just single out?
I've had a couple of close shaves with people making a sudden move to the opposite side of the path to their walking companion.
The indecisive ones are the worst.

There is some instinctive behaviour going on - even better are the ones who cross over each other, each thinking they are going to the sensible side, but making opposite choices... by the time they start their move they are committed to it, and carry rather than do that shimmy we've all done when approaching on foot someone walking towards us on a path left-right-left-right etc.

 

[vickster]

Hard to believe but I passed a driver yesterday and he was brushing his teeth.

I do hope he was using an electric toothbrush for optimal dental hygiene

 

[Bianchi boy]

What amuses me on a shared path is the blind panic when you approach and they are desperate to try and retrieve their dog ,The dog on the other hand has already seen us and would be perfectly calm and composed as we pass

 

[sidevalve]

your contribution to many threads is one that points out how cyclists are often wrong, how cyclists should take responsibility for things that are correctly other people's responsibility

Sometimes cyclists are wrong - I just don't see the point in pretending otherwise - is there really anybody on here who can say that they've never ever ever ever don't anything wrong - anything ? Am I the only one with courage enough to say it ? Judging by lot's of other posts - no.
Much more importantly however Yes I do say take responsibility for other people. Like going up the left hand side of a truck for example - will he see you - of COURSE he should - it's his responsibility as driver but being in the right won't keep you out of A&E or off a slab. If anything I've said makes just one cyclist think twice and keeps him on the road fine.

I don't live in a bicycle utopia I try to live in the real world where U Tube vids are often just plain fakes, newspaper reports often have less facts than a copy of the Beano and tarmac /steel is very hard. Sometimes I have the nerve to say so. If this is all part of my anti-cyclist fevered imagination then by all means believe the vids, accept the fact less newspaper reports and feel righteous knowing that you were in the right as you hit the road
If this forum has descended to simply being a mutual back patting group upset by opinions that don't toe the line fair enough.
PS - As for the OP - Sorry - seems you don't need a bell

 

[NorthernDave]

I pre emptively said "I did ring my bell, numerous times" to which she replied that she thought the noise was coming from a tree!

Perhaps the park is home to the Singing Ringing Tree?
(How's that for an obscure East German kids film reference?)

 

[united4ever]

I have a standard bell which, maybe I am being paranoid, but sometimes sounds a bit impatient (like: 'out my way' sort of ring). There is a fellow commuter that has some really quirky bell with a ring tone which is quite comical/slapstick/cartoon like - don't want one of them. I am no clown. However, would perhaps like a bell which is more of a friendly ringer but then what if it really is urgent. There's probably a two tone ringer out there.

 

[Sixmile]

Some walkers definitely take offense at bells on shared paths but I find most of the time they are grateful for being given notice that I am approaching. I'm considering one of the 'it doesn't look like a bell bells' that Knog are making. They claim it plays a chord rather than a single note.