Bike path today! Walkers!

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MikeDuf

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This is just a rant with ongoing observation of walkers taking up the entire bike path.

Today I was riding along the bike path and was doing about 18 mph and approached three people taking up both lanes.

I slowed down and proceeded to tell them to not block both Lanes this is a bike path as well as for walkers.

the jackasses started saying, you're going too damn fast you need to slow down.

So I proceeded to tell them the bike rules that it's single file and it's a Class 1 trail that means cyclist with a manual bike can ride up to 20mph and most do on a manual bike. This is a path that bicyclists use to commute .

Their pinheadedness assumed that just because I was on an e-bike that I was going extremely fast and did not look out for anybody and decided to block both lanes to force me to slow down.!

I then told him that it's illegal to block the lane and if I were to fall down I could come after you in the court of law. Then the one jackass said well you probably have to find me first. So I made a comment well it sounds like you're not a very good solution to the ongoing problem of recklessness on the bike path.

I had my hand on my full can of gel spray ready to blast all three of them if they made one move toward me.

I just can't believe that there are people that are trying to police bike paths that have no business doing that and possibly causing the injury to others.

Just because somebody pissed them off in their lifetime or scared them, they're out for everybody.

these are people that take up the lanes just to take up the lanes because they think they can do it.

I'm a walker as well, and I often walk on bike paths or populated Pathways and I always try to keep it single file and be conscious of bicyclists and other pedestrians. Share the road!

But my rant is really about why some people take up the full Lanes walking side by side on the bike paths.?

Are they trying to prove a point? Are they trying to slow everybody down?
That's my rant, not trying to offend anybody.
 
When I start losing my calm when I'm out riding because of something people do or I perceive they did I usually stop at the local brewery, of which there are a few within a couple of miles me, and have cold one or two. If not feeling like a beer I'll find a quiet place to take a couple hits off my vape. Retired and trying to live life the best I can.

Peace
 
Yeah I'm not one to get Road Rage or lose my calm to a degree, I'm more often than not ask myself where is their mind, what are they thinking, are they overly medicated?

All kinds of thoughts and scenarios go through my head.

I have Tesla drivers that for some reason like to pull in front of me then put their brakes on while they're fiddling with their center console TV!

I drive a RAV4 hybrid so I can't see that they're lashing out to me because I'm driving a twin turbo Cummings Diesel!

I wonder how they react when a 35 mph mini bike group blast down the bike?

The Walkers are consistently taking up the bike Lanes walking side by side with no regard that it is a commuting path.
This is just a rant to see if other assisted cyclists get the same occurrences?
 
MikeDuf said:
This is just a rant with ongoing observation of walkers taking up the entire bike path.

Today I was riding along the bike path and was doing about 18 mph and approached three people taking up both lanes.

I slowed down and proceeded to tell them to not block both Lanes this is a bike path as well as for walkers.

the jackasses started saying, you're going too damn fast you need to slow down.

So I proceeded to tell them the bike rules that it's single file and it's a Class 1 trail that means cyclist with a manual bike can ride up to 20mph and most do on a manual bike. This is a path that bicyclists use to commute .

Their pinheadedness assumed that just because I was on an e-bike that I was going extremely fast and did not look out for anybody and decided to block both lanes to force me to slow down.!

I then told him that it's illegal to block the lane and if I were to fall down I could come after you in the court of law. Then the one jackass said well you probably have to find me first. So I made a comment well it sounds like you're not a very good solution to the ongoing problem of recklessness on the bike path.

I had my hand on my full can of gel spray ready to blast all three of them if they made one move toward me.

I just can't believe that there are people that are trying to police bike paths that have no business doing that and possibly causing the injury to others.

Just because somebody pissed them off in their lifetime or scared them, they're out for everybody.

these are people that take up the lanes just to take up the lanes because they think they can do it.

I'm a walker as well, and I often walk on bike paths or populated Pathways and I always try to keep it single file and be conscious of bicyclists and other pedestrians. Share the road!

But my rant is really about why some people take up the full Lanes walking side by side on the bike paths.?

Are they trying to prove a point? Are they trying to slow everybody down?
That's my rant, not trying to offend anybody.
Click to expand...
sounds like Walmart.2-3 abreast constantly not mention the double parked shopping carts or the old acquaintances catching up,not to mention the vacuous staring on the cellphone.
 
I walk and I ride. Are you aware that it is only the usual expectation for shared use multi-use trails that pedestrian traffic keeps to the right and passes on the left. Per the FHWA (Federal Highway Administration) "it should not be unexpected for pedestrian to walk facing traffic". I confirmed this with our Iowa DOT. Pedestrians can walk on the left. There are very few exceptions, though, which I'll comment on later.
In Sacramento, California, and in Rhode Island, the rule is to keep left when walking (as you would on a road, facing traffic) and right when cycling. And some trails ask that all traffic keeps left. What is more universal, however, is the yielding rule: pedestrians have right of way, then inline skaters/skateboards, then cyclists.
Click to expand...
Pedestrians are always encouraged to walk on the left on a traveled roadway. With the increasing numbers of e-bikes, scooters, mono-wheels and etc., there are more pedestrians facing traffic on multi-purpose trails. It is within FHWA regulations. Pedestrians taking this action are tired of being startled by vast majority of discourteous trail riders not signaling or announcing a pass. Walking on the left is not in violation of any FHWA traffic law! Fact check me, call your state DOT. The only exception is if a section (zone) of multi-purpose trail or bikeway is clearly marked with regulatory signage and an ordinance to support it. Even then, liability remains. Follow the yielding rule.
Discourtesy is abundant in our society, with that, as more trail sections are built, friction will increase from all users due to a lack of common sense and with the users going the fastest, thinking others should move out of their way.
 
1Tuna said:
I walk and I ride. Are you aware that it is only the usual expectation for shared use multi-use trails that pedestrian traffic keeps to the right and passes on the left. Per the FHWA (Federal Highway Administration) "it should not be unexpected for pedestrian to walk facing traffic". I confirmed this with our Iowa DOT. Pedestrians can walk on the left. There are very few exceptions, though, which I'll comment on later.

Pedestrians are always encouraged to walk on the left on a traveled roadway. With the increasing numbers of e-bikes, scooters, mono-wheels and etc., there are more pedestrians facing traffic on multi-purpose trails. It is within FHWA regulations. Pedestrians taking this action are tired of being startled by vast majority of discourteous trail riders not signaling or announcing a pass. Walking on the left is not in violation of any FHWA traffic law! Fact check me, call your state DOT. The only exception is if a section (zone) of multi-purpose trail or bikeway is clearly marked with regulatory signage and an ordinance to support it. Even then, liability remains. Follow the yielding rule.
Discourtesy is abundant in our society, with that, as more trail sections are built, friction will increase from all users due to a lack of common sense and with the users going the fastest, thinking others should move out of their way.
Click to expand...
Thanks for sharing the dot rules I will check my local plus other than the speed limits here in California for bike paths.

But my rant and point was when people are walking a breast,

My point here is you have two people at an intersection sitting in their cars jaw-dabbing about how their kids are doing in school and the light has turned green and they're holding everybody up in traffic with no regards to other people's responsibilities that's my point.

These jackasses that walk side by side down these trails; I don't care what side they're on, they're walking a breast and they're causing everyone to have to come to their yield.

As soon as they get clipped by some kid that's going 30 miles an hour or faster they'll walk in a single file or just not even walk on the trail again.

They don't seem to realize that falling off a bike can cause big bodily injury like broken hips and cracked heads. I've seen this happen many times on these bike trails and it's always caused by a pedestrian doing something stupid and or a cyclist that is either not paying attention or not giving enough signal ahead of time and assuming that the person hears them or sees them.

it's fairly unusual to see people walking on the opposite side of the flow of traffic.
if you're riding on a public Street you are required to ride with the flow or Direction of traffic.
 
spower said:
I have a bell on my bike, as I get closer to walkers I ring the bell so they know I am coming. I also slow way down until I pass them and as I pass I say thank you!!
Never had a problem yet ;)
Click to expand...
I had an Air-Zounds air horn on my bike…it is loud and it is unsafe to use next to people, so I also have a bell. I give my first blast about 200 ft from anyone impeding traffic, and then a second blast at 100 ft out.
The 2 blasts will get everyone’s head turned toward me, and as they assess the situation, they realize they need to move over. I will slow down to 10 mph to allow me to safely pass them.

Walkers like to walk in pairs on the trails here in New England, which is the only safe place for them and me. So I think riders should slow down when passing and walkers should move over upon hearing a bell or horn.

I have more problems with riders coming up behind me and not announcing themselves. If I am going 10 mph and they are going 25 mph, I expect them to slow up and announce themselves before passing me. I have ridden 25,000 lifetime miles and have more issues with bikers passing me than I have had with walkers. I have had car passengers assault me with a pellet gun, McDonalds garbage, and verbal abuse.

I like pedestrians, with their dogs, or baby stroller, or their kids walking or riding their bikes, or two adults having a conversation….we all share the trail.

I think a heavily used commuter trail should have a painted centerline to give everyone a point of reference, and lots of signage stressing lane useage and sharing, and a speed limit when passing pedestrians.
 
Yes I have quite a few lifetime miles as well probably right on par with yours or more. I used to put 10K annually on my road bike and that's manual.

I ride my manual bike at a fairly brisk pace from 15 to 19 mph. Now if I have a headwind then I start cursing and I go down to about 12 mph!

And I even start cursing more when the guy on the E-bike passes me with a big smile on his face!

But yes I agree when your approaching other cyclists or pedestrian you absolutely should announce your intention and slow down.

What happens is these Walkers are listening to podcasts or music or whatever and they cannot hear you approach even with your bell or announcing until you get to around 6 ft of them. That's why it's very important to slow down so they don't jump out in front of you when you scare them.

I used to call out; on your left, we're passing on your left, now I just make a loud noise.
 
LightningP38 said:
I had an Air-Zounds air horn on my bike…it is loud and it is unsafe to use next to people, so I also have a bell. I give my first blast about 200 ft from anyone impeding traffic, and then a second blast at 100 ft out.
The 2 blasts will get everyone’s head turned toward me, and as they assess the situation, they realize they need to move over. I will slow down to 10 mph to allow me to safely pass them.

Walkers like to walk in pairs on the trails here in New England, which is the only safe place for them and me. So I think riders should slow down when passing and walkers should move over upon hearing a bell or horn.

I have more problems with riders coming up behind me and not announcing themselves. If I am going 10 mph and they are going 25 mph, I expect them to slow up and announce themselves before passing me. I have ridden 25,000 lifetime miles and have more issues with bikers passing me than I have had with walkers. I have had car passengers assault me with a pellet gun, McDonalds garbage, and verbal abuse.

I like pedestrians, with their dogs, or baby stroller, or their kids walking or riding their bikes, or two adults having a conversation….we all share the trail.

I think a heavily used commuter trail should have a painted centerline to give everyone a point of reference, and lots of signage stressing lane useage and sharing, and a speed limit when passing pedestrians.
Click to expand...
While perhaps a bit harsh, I like the Air Horn Idea especially for giving a small Blast a good ways like 300 Feet away. While I have not tried it and cant be sure, it may also be an excellent deterrent against Dogs and Bears. The Air Horn on my Boat is rated 125 Decibels, and yes this is loud.
Cheers
 
Airr horn definitely works. I saw a guy with one of those little canned air horns that he had velcro to his handlebar. It gets attention:-)
 
I have to deal with this daily. Not at all unusual for pedestrian traffic to be going both ways on the path, with simultaneous cycling traffic also going both ways. The foot traffic is all aimless tourists only paying half attention at best, and typically zero attention.

Before I get right up on a group, I stop pedaling and coast toward them. They can hear my cassette clicking and invariably someone either hears it and moves over, or tugs on the sleeve of a clueless companion and moves them over. The never-ending exception is kids. Parents looking back can see my hands moving to cover my brake levers and almost universally reach out, grab the kid and apologize, or tell the kid to look out and just make apologetic eye contact. And of course there's the earbud crowd. I use my natural foghorn that says "WATCH OUT" and I can keep my hands safely on the handlebars and cover the brakes. People don't generally take umbrage at that, either.

You don't get into arguments because you remember the "shared" part of "shared use" means you slow your ass down around people, and no.. nobody cares whether you like it or not. If you expect a cop or a judge or a jury or an opposing attorney to back down because the person you ran into had it coming for not following a rule... thats an alternate-timeline USA; not the one we live in.

Yeah yeah I know the law. 20 mph max allowed speed. Except there's the part about "never faster than it is safe". This is the way it is. Bitching about it is like commanding the waves to stop crashing: all you will ever get is a faceful of seawater.

You can't forget the "shared" part of "shared use". Pedestrians have the right to enjoy the path. And that includes wandering and daydreaming.

You want to go fast, switch to the road. This is the spot where I switch over otherwise I have to keep putting up with a 12 mph speed limit... and The Walking Dead. I have no idea what time of day Google mapped this spot but it probably had 10x this amount of traffic on it when I was there today.

p.s. the paved area is bike-only and the dirt is pedestrian only. People obey that in that alternate-universe and no... nobody is ever going to enforce that in the one we live in.
Screen Shot 12-31-24 at 01.54 PM.PNG
 
What LightningP38 said. I have way more of a problem on a bike with bikers blowing up on me and passing unannounced. Two pedestrians walking side by side, usually an "on your left" or a ring or two of the bell will alert them to move over. And I will slow to pass them. Just common courtesy to peacefully coexist.
 
sounds like the "mallwalkers
(3 abreast) or walmarters(2abreast) plus a cart blocking the aisle.what you get to see in Walmart are for the most part "mutezombies"(around 90% ) either slowly move out of the way or never say excuse me,to be honest what really gets my goat is the "Milli second greener" who honks their horn just the split second the light turns green. always slow down when overtaking the elderly,despite what they say they can't as a rule hear as well,above all share the road,if you have a problem with crowds find"the road less taken".
 
This is the huge problem in the USA right now: incorrect feelings of entitlement.

You might consider an air horn from point-blank to help educate these folks.
Or a special water balloon or squirt gun day.
 
I was walking on the Walking path last night, and here in the USA we drive on the right side of the road! :-) these two people walking, were clearly from another country because they were enforcing their right to walk against the flow on the right side.
We graciously moved around them and I made a subtle comment " they must be from Europe" I don't think they heard me nor understand.
So I believe that we have such a large influx of foreigners here in California that you don't know what they're thinking. So be on guard for stray walkers! :)
 

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