"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.

 

[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

 

[Windle]

Spot the potential problem with that:

View attachment 738443

There's a one like the one on the right near me, between Tindale Crescent and Shildon. The signs are like that on the way up to Shildon and the opposite way round coming back down. The cycle path part is nearest the road all the way up.
I only realised recently and I've always tended to go to the inside which is further away from the traffic and deviates away behind a line of trees in a couple of places.
From a safety point of view I think it's a bit odd that the cycle path, where there's the greatest potential for a user to come a cropper and fall into the road is nearest the road, and for a lot of the way right next to it.