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Originally Posted by Oldragbagger
I am an avid cyclist, and also a walker. Trying to act in a way that gives you the best chance of getting around someone safely is sometimes a head scratcher, but it shouldn’t be. There are definite rules concerning these pathways, the problem is, not everyone is aware of them. If you are on a Rail Trail or other public trail they are usually posted at the trailheads, but here that signage doesn’t exist and a lot of people just don’t know.
It is the walkers’s responsibility to walk on the right and in a predictable manner. If the walker’s hearing is compromised by earphones or a telephone conversation that predictability (staying to the right, not altering course to go back and forth across the trail, if you have a dog on a leash making sure it stays to the right also) becomes even more critical. Using a bell or calling out “on the left” are both acceptable methods of signaling. I usually do both. I will first ring my bell to get the walker’s attention and then call out “on the left” as I get close and pass. I have found calling out those instructions to be essential in some instances as I have encountered quite a few walkers who have absolutely no idea what to do when a bicycle approaches. Sometimes they move to the left, sometimes they move to the right, sometimes it’s a group and they start scattering randomly in both directions, often with great confusion. Telling them what side you are planning to pass on let’s them know what to expect so they can move accordingly.
I have been riding all my adult life and I feel blessed to say that I have never had a collision of any kind on a trail except a crash into a wall once, my own fault. But it takes a great deal of courtesy, understanding, and awareness on everyone’s part to make it work. The more heavily populated the trail is, the more of all that required. I am also happy to say I have not once encountered any rudeness from anyone on TV trails and I try always to conduct myself in a safe and courteous manner.
Happy Trails, no matter how you use them.
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But it takes a great deal of courtesy, understanding, and awareness on everyone’s part to make it work.
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Exactly, especially HERE in TV where there are a lot of people that don't know "the rules".
Myself and my family road bicycles for decades. Everything you said was correct. And you said it nicer than I would.
It is the bicycle riders responsibility to NOT hit the pedestrian. The same as it is car drivers responsibility to NOT hit a cyclist. Just because you have a green light in your car, you are expected to NOT hit anyone crossing the road, even if they are crossing against the light. Same with riding a bicycle, just because you are right, does not making it okay to take a chance to hit them.
Our club had a rule, if you are not CERTAIN the pedestrian you are about to pass is aware of your intent, you don't pass.
Ring the bell all day long, if you don't get a reaction confirming they heard you, the slow down and approach them carefully. Say in a firm voice (not yelling - yelling startles people) "on your left" or "passing on your left" or anything to that effect, and if they still do not react, then proceed very slowly arounds the as far away as you can. If there is oncoming traffic and you can't safely pass them, then don't pass. Pull up close enough to them to say, not yell, I am going to pass you on your left, can you hear me?
If you don't want the issue of walkers, you can 99% removed them by riding on the roadway and not the multimodal pathway. Personally, if I was still able to ride still, I would never ride on a path for walkers (sidewalk) if a road is available. The road is much safer. I know the multimodal is intended for walkers and bikers. It just looks too much like a sidewalk and sidewalks are VERY dangerous places for bikers. The one time I did ride a couple blocks on a sidewalk to avoid a congested road situation when I was late for work a car pulled out of a blind driveway and I hit my breaks, went over my handlebars, and broke a wrist, sprained the other, cracked several ribs and tore both rotator cups.
Typically there are no blind spots around Multimodal paths, but it was a lesson I learned the hard way and I personally would stick to the road. Many thousands of miles and no accidents or problems on roads.
So, I suggest that the OP rethink their attitude, and be safe and courteous to other people that are sharing the path with.