"You should be on the cyclepath!"

[steverob]

I'm sure all of us at some point have had the above phrase (or similar, possibly with some rude words added) shouted at us by an ignorant driver, but today I had a new experience - another cyclist telling me that I should be using the "cycle track" (as he put it) and not riding on the road. There was a shared pedestrian/cycle path on the approach to Oxford (about here on StreetView), he was travelling on said path in the opposite direction to me while I was on the road, and as he approached he started gesturing and then gave me an earful as I went by.

I completely ignored him and carried on riding, plus in my defense the road wasn't exactly busy - I was on it for about a mile, during which time I was overtaken by probably three cars and maybe another five or so passed in the opposite direction. I was also doing about 16-17mph at the time (flat road, tailwind) which is probably a bit too fast for a shared path. The irony is that I'm not against cyclepaths - indeed once I reached Oxford, I started using them to avoid the major roads, but when it's not much more than a country lane I can't see the point.

Really don't know why he decided that yelling at a stranger was the best way of convincing them, but it's kind of bugged me since - if fellow cyclists are now starting to parrot the talking points of the driving lobby, what chance do we have? Anyone else had this happen to them?

 

[Drago]

"...and you should be on wegovy, you fat lard-arsed p****r."

And having uttered such withering words you then carry merrily on your way without giving the eejut a second thought.

 

[Pat "5mph"]

Anyone else had this happen to them?

Not yet from a cyclist, several times from motorists.
I use segregated routes as much as I can (because I'm a slow coach), but sometimes the road is the easiest (or only) option.

 

[wiggydiggy]

Not those exact words but I once got told I should cycle on the left (on a shared greenway) because I didn't yield to them. It was also 6am and they blinded me with their bright lights so I just stopped and wished them good morning

 

[simongt]

On cycle paths, shared and otherwise, I always cycle on the left as that's the side of the King's highway that we all have to be on, thus to me this is a logical progression.
However, very occasionally I encounter cyclists coming towards me on their right, thus my left and insisting that they're on the correct side and I should move over.
Thoughts - ?

 

[classic33]

On cycle paths, shared and otherwise, I always cycle on the left as that's the side of the King's highway that we all have to be on, thus to me this is a logical progression.
However, very occasionally I encounter cyclists coming towards me on their right, thus my left and insisting that they're on the correct side and I should move over.
Thoughts - ?

I'd stick to the left as well if I were using one. It is as you put it a "logical progression" from road use.

 

[Slick]

Like most, I've heard it a few times from drivers, but never a cyclist.

I wouldn't get too worked up about it, it just kinda backs up the old adage that we have idiots on bikes as well as in cars.

 

[Ian H]

I had it once, from a rotund fellow on a cheap MTB. Just ignore, life's too short.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

On cycle paths, shared and otherwise, I always cycle on the left as that's the side of the King's highway that we all have to be on, thus to me this is a logical progression.
However, very occasionally I encounter cyclists coming towards me on their right, thus my left and insisting that they're on the correct side and I should move over.
Thoughts - ?

I have had this - on a nice wide cycle path alongside a canal
One guy was older than me and was coming down a slight slope when he saw me
I saw him first and was already moving to my left - I was left of middle anyway
he swung to his right - so I went further left - right to the edge and stopped
he rode past - JUST missing me and called me a B8888y idiot - I have no idea why

Several other time people have gone right as well - sometimes it is someone clearly inexperienced but sometimes they just seem to think they are in the right
no idea why

 

[I like Skol]

What about boats?

 

[raleighnut]

Most of the cyclepaths round here are littered with broken glass.

 

[Punkawallah]

Not those exact words but I once got told I should cycle on the left (on a shared greenway) because I didn't yield to them. It was also 6am and they blinded me with their bright lights so I just stopped and wished them good morning

I think wilful politeness is the way to go. A smile and a wave always confuses them.

 

[annedonnelly]

I'd stick to the left as well if I were using one. It is as you put it a "logical progression" from road use.

I stick to the left and if someone oncoming doesn't I try to hold my line - unless they are kids, elderly or seem vulnerable. Usually they get the message and move over.

 

[DaveReading]

On cycle paths, shared and otherwise, I always cycle on the left as that's the side of the King's highway that we all have to be on, thus to me this is a logical progression.

Spot the potential problem with that:

 

[vickster]

Indeed, there’s a park nearby that I cycle through most days which has the marked cycle lane on the right when going in one direction, on the left coming the other way. Seems a bit daft as it’s next to grass, kids play park, would make more sense on the other side