Bikes on the walking trail ?
 

Hi there, I am all about sharing the walking trails. But I was seriously startled this morning while walking my dog when a bike came up behind me. He blew past me, very close to me, and I couldn't help but think, what if I had moved over just a little bit, I would have walked right into his path, and we both would have been hurt.

Would it not be a good idea for a person coming up behind a walker to ring their bell? And if they don't have one on their bike, get one?

Just curious if other walkers have had this experience.

“Most” bikers in my experience will ring their bell or announce “On your right/left” as they pass. There are certainly the ones that don’t though.

When I used to ride, if I announced myself to a walker as I approached them, they would often turn around to look at who was talking to them. And in doing so, would step to the side right in my path. I learned that saying nothing was safer for both myself and the walker. Sorry you were startled. Better than stepping in front of a moving bike and getting injured.

Walking with traffic or against traffic??

Biker on his/her side of the path ??

I'll admit, I am a bit confused. Walkers should be facing traffic coming at them so a bike coming up behind them would be on the opposite side of the path. That assumes everyone is following the rules...

I run on the multimodal paths frequently and would never expect a bike to let me know they were about to overtake me.

There is no motor vehicle traffic on a walking path so you walk to the right.

On the road or the MMP which have motor vehicle traffic you walk to the left. In that way, traffic on your side of the trail comes towards you while traffic overtaking you would be safely on the other side of the trail.

They are not walking trails, they are called pathways and are shared by both walkers (who can bring along their leashed dog) and bikes. Proper etiquette is for walkers to walk single file on the left side of the trail so they can see oncoming bike traffic and for bikers to stay on the right and ride single file. Walkers with dogs need to keep them on a short, non-flexible leash, so they can not wander in front of a bike. If everyone followed proper etiquette, and did not think the pathway was dedicated solely to them, there shouldn’t be any issues.

Walkers on a WALKING trail will walk on the right side of the road. They ARE the traffic, they are facing exactly the direction they should be facing, on a walking trail.

True, but if it really was a walking trail bikes wouldn’t be allowed. I believe the OP is referring to what are called pathways, which are a new thing south of 44 and are shared by both bikes and walkers. These are NOT walking trails. The new Black Lake walking trail that begins at the Lake Miona Recreation Center would be a true walking trail, except that dogs are not allowed so many Villagers won’t ever use it.

They are not WALKING trails. Bikes use them also. Using caps doesn't change it.

Expecting to silently zip past is dangerous, unsafe, and reckless. That's a problem.
If ringing your bike bell startles someone, and causes a movement that places both people in a collision situation, you need to change your style. Ring the bell several times, starting a lot further away. Give walkers time to react and be in a safe spot. Give yourself time to slow down or stop.

A bike rider who fails to warn a pedestrian, and then collides with them causing injuries, will find themselves on the receiving end of a huge lawsuit.
In court, which defense is better... I rang my bell several times and that person looked right at me and saw me coming. I slowed almost to a stop because their dog was jumping in the way. Their dog pulled them to the ground and I stopped before any contact was made with them. (OR) I think it's safer to give pedestrians no warning. I ride so fast that they never know I was coming. This time, I never expected them to move when their dog wandered to the left. I had no time to react and I'm so sorry. They should have stayed in their lane and the dog is at fault.

I agree but the rules are that you walk against traffic where motor vehicles are allowed and on the right side on paths where they are not allowed. The problem now is e-bikes have motors and they also go quite fast (I was passed in my cart going 21mph the other day by an e-bike.) Anyway, I feel the best would be some courtesy on everyone's part. Keep you dogs on a short leash, walk on one side (not down the middle), use only one earbud for you music/phone, and always announce when you approach someone from behind. I personally like an announcement when people are passing on the left/right as I do not always hear the bell.

Bike riders can do whatever they want, walking paths, roads, highways it doesn't matter all others must clear out of their way!!!

Just what "walking trails" are we addressing?

I am not familiar with said trails south if 466a. The one "walking" trail I know of -- beginning near Lake Miona Rec center is not dog friendly.

Seems to me bicycles should not be on "walking" trails.

I apologize for the jerk who did not warn you. There is always that one person who ruins it for the rest of us. I always slow down, ring my bell or shout a warning. I might add that many walkers have ear buds or headphones on so they never hear my warnings. If you are wearing ear phones, I suggest always walking on the left side facing traffic.

so now you need to know if you're on a pathway, walking trail, multi-modal , etc. and walk down different sides, accordingly? the different trails are not uniformly labeled and half the people don't obey anyway.

I think I'd walk to the left always. If it's a walking trail, no big deal.

There are walking trails at Paradise Park. They're not long, but they are walking trails.

When I ride anything two wheels I know that dogs don’t like it. I stay well away from them. It is next to I possible to get a dog used to being startled.

It was a walking trail / no traffic - we were both moving in the same direction.

He seemed very close to me, too close for my comfort tbh. I just thought - wow if my dog had startled or I had moved out the tinest bit - there would have been a collision.

I did not know he was there until he passed me.

Well in my case this biker was traveling in the same direction as me. If he was coming at me so I could see him there would not have been a problem.

yup, it would have been bad for both of us.

We were both over to the right-hand side, me the walker and he the biker.

Correct this is South of 44 -

As a walker, biker, and cart driver I see stupid stuff almost every day. You can’t cure stupid, it just takes a little common sense.

Only if you want to get creamed by a bicycle coming up behind you...

Don't listen to him. Bicycles share that path and you want to be facing them (walking on the left) as they come towards you...

Our lanai faces a walking path. I drink my coffee out there almost every morning and watch all of those way too energetic people walk by. I’d say according to my non-scientific observation that roughly 90% of foot traffic is on the right hand side of the path. And most cyclists honk, beep, ring or call out as they pass. Haven’t seen any collisions yet.

If you choose to walk in the same direction as traffic, rather than facing it, expect to be surprised by things you can’t see.

Wrong answer
 

Maybe a better solution is for you/bikers to not be on a walking trail.

While walking, I appreciate so much when people let me know well in advance that they are approaching behind me. I always say thanks. I am very careful on ALL paths/ trails because I do not want to get injured. I walk @ 6AM to beat the crowd.

Someone needs to invent a warning beeper that could be fit on all bicycles. It should continuously beep so it could be heard by those being approached. A beep like the back up beeper on a golf cart would do the trick.

Well this discussion has been totally confusing.
Walk on the right, the way you should. Walk on the left, facing traffic.
What about the guy walking the other way on the path, toward you? Where do you want him to walk?

I observe the same “walk against traffic” on the MMP as I do walking on a street. There are drivers in Carts I want to have eyes on!

The only true walking path that I know is in TV is the new one at Lake Miona. Black lake trail. Bikes are not allowed as it is too narrow. The HogsEye path at Edna’s is narrow for the first mile so one definitely needs to watch out for bikers.

It’s not uncommon. Many bikers are courteous but others just don’t care. I usually yell: how about a warning. They don’t respond but I’m hopeful they will consider giving a warning next time. In Pittsburgh, it is common to hear: “ passing on the left”.

Your so wrong

YES, I don’t understand why they don’t alert you by voice, horn, ring bell. I was hit once in my elbow, the biker didn’t stopped. Year later that elbow at times heart. Reaso way I now walk facing incoming vehicles(bikes/ Gulfcart).

Bells and Announcements
 

Bells and announcements don’t work for the large group that need hearing aids..lol. I relate the “walking paths” to traffic circles and use the general rule of “be aware of your surroundings “. Leashes can reach across these smaller paths so be careful. I ’can’t really imagine a biker’s pedal being wrapped around an active leash having a very good outcome.

What about sidewalks? I’ve seen bicyclists on them. Should walkers walk on the right or left?

A simple “On your left” works better than a bell in every situation. Then you know on which side the bicyclist will be passing. A bell simply tells you there is a bicycle (or whatever) approaching.

Right
 

LOL - no kidding.

Walk on the right on pathways.

It is dangerous to walk on the left around blind corners.

When biking, I see half of the walkers on the left and half on the right - never gonna get everyone doing the same thing. Be careful out there.!