Exercise Ettiquette?

To the lycra clad cyclists:
– Its not a velodrome
– Yelling BIKE! is rude, use your bell

niknak said :

My experience is that many cyclists do not realise the speed limit for traffic – inclduding bikes – on the path around the central basin is 10km/hr.

Admittedly there are very few signs and some cyclists probably miss the big black 10 inside the big red circle as they whizz by at 40km/hr on a busy, not-very-wide, shared-use path. Blind freddy could see that if speed was the order of the day, the Central Basin loop is an unsuitable venue.

Point to Point Fixed Speed Cameras are the only solution !!!

“Could be that the people walking/running on the right are New Zealanders, a lot of paths in Auckland put cyclists on one side and foot traffic on the other”

This is actually the common sense approach for the blindingly obvious reasons – ie pedestrians and cyclists who are approaching each other can SEE each other, instead of the situation where cyclists come up behind pedestrians on the same side, and the reason why we’re all taught in primary school that if you’re ever forced to walk along a road with no footpath, you walk on the right hand side. Alas the side of common sense lost out several years ago when the signs went up that pedestrians and cyclists were to all keep to the left.

As a frequent (ie every day) cyclist and runner on the shared paths, almost all of the close calls that I see would have been avoided if the pedestrians were on the right, and all who use the paths had a bit more consideration for others.

On Belconnen bike paths there are signs which ask cyclists to ring their bell when approaching pedestrians and asks pedestrians to keep on the left and keep their dogs under control.

I’d be surprised if the same signs aren’t posted around LBG.

Genie said :

Keep left.

And if your a cyclist please ding when approaching instead of shouting abuse as you pass.

And if you’re a pedestrian/jogger don’t yell abuse at the *cyclist* if they ding when approaching: we’re not expecing you to move out of the way, just letting you know we’re about to pass so keeping going in a straight line.

My experience is that many cyclists do not realise the speed limit for traffic – inclduding bikes – on the path around the central basin is 10km/hr.

Admittedly there are very few signs and some cyclists probably miss the big black 10 inside the big red circle as they whizz by at 40km/hr on a busy, not-very-wide, shared-use path. Blind freddy could see that if speed was the order of the day, the Central Basin loop is an unsuitable venue.

There’s one particularly cross, older cyclist in a blue bike helmet who bombs around the central basin on his mid-life-crisis tri bike around 0630/700 several mornings a week. He scowls at everybody who dares run or walk on the path at the same time as he’s reliving his lost Olympic cycling fantasies. Heaven forbid if you cross paths with him as he’s wheezing his way up onto the bridge on his space-age ride which weighs less than a lettuce leaf.

Anyhoo, i run on the left and keep my dog under control.

Cordelia said :

Hosinator said :

And yes I do have a bell on my bike that I use incessantly.

Yeah well then I look forward to scaring you next time you ride across a pedestrian crossing!

Would you prefer that I ride past you at speed without sounding a warning, so it scares the crap out of you?

If so stay in your car and please don’t use the paths around LBG.

Perhaps some signage/lane markings to remind people that there are still rules on this path. Seems to do the job in Europe and Canada on exercise trails….

Hosinator said :

And yes I do have a bell on my bike that I use incessantly.

Yeah well then I look forward to scaring you next time you ride across a pedestrian crossing!

Holden Caulfield said :

Erg0 said :

Don’t walk two abreast unless you’ve got your head on a swivel or there’s room for people to get past. Pretty simple, but apparently still too hard for some.

See, this would be better practice for cyclists to follow on the road, too, but if you try and suggest that it might be safer for all concerned if cyclists rode in single file on the road you get told you’re an axe wielding arsehole motorist.

So it’s nice to see the comment being made from the other side of the fence for a change. 😉

Hate to burst your bubble, but I’m not a cyclist so I’m probably on the same side of the fence as you. I do agree with you, though.

Holden Caulfield said :

Erg0 said :

Don’t walk two abreast unless you’ve got your head on a swivel or there’s room for people to get past. Pretty simple, but apparently still too hard for some.

See, this would be better practice for cyclists to follow on the road, too, but if you try and suggest that it might be safer for all concerned if cyclists rode in single file on the road you get told you’re an axe wielding arsehole motorist.
quote]

HC, as a cyclist and a car commuter I cringe every time I see two or more cyclists taking up road space.
I agree, single file is best for their image and acceptance in the eyes of car commuters.

The longer cyclists annoy car commuters the more the relationship between these two road users degenerates until one day we potentially see a road rage incident that could end in tragedy.

While we’re on the topic, a small wave from the walker lets the cyclist know the bell has been heard.

walk four abreast, talk extremely loudly to your no-hoper friend while allowing your 5 year old kid to meander across the path taking people out. Seems to work for most people.

Keep left.

Cyclists have to give way to pedestrians in front of them though. A bell is a nice warning that you’re coming past, but don’t expect pedestrians to move for you… the same way you wouldn’t expect a motor vehicle in front of you to give way to you.

Erg0 said :

Don’t walk two abreast unless you’ve got your head on a swivel or there’s room for people to get past. Pretty simple, but apparently still too hard for some.

See, this would be better practice for cyclists to follow on the road, too, but if you try and suggest that it might be safer for all concerned if cyclists rode in single file on the road you get told you’re an axe wielding arsehole motorist.

So it’s nice to see the comment being made from the other side of the fence for a change. 😉

As for LBG, keep left. Common sense should dictate that. Alas, I can see why there is a reason for the OP to ask the question, haha. Not having a go at the OP, just the seemingly countless people who lack common sense.

Genie said :

Keep left.

And if your a cyclist please ding when approaching instead of shouting abuse as you pass.

Well dont wander around like a rabid chook……..

Look over your shoulder if you are going to change direction across the path just like you would if you are crossing the road. Its not that hard but is a skill that seems lost on most pedestrians.

i have to admit i don’t use a bell any more, most bells can’t get past the noise of the ipods walkers listen to, a loudly yelled “passing right” seems to cut through the noise much better

Keep left and don’t move across for people who are on the wrong side. They’ll figure it out eventually. Don’t walk two abreast unless you’ve got your head on a swivel or there’s room for people to get past. Pretty simple, but apparently still too hard for some.

Could be that the people walking/running on the right are New Zealanders, a lot of paths in Auckland put cyclists on one side and foot traffic on the other, regardless of direction. I was the gumby walking on the wrong side half the time until a cyclist politely (ahem) informed me of the rules.

And yes I do have a bell on my bike that I use incessantly.

I ride around the lake and I treat the rules the same as the road. Two directions of traffic, keep to the left and overtake on the right.

So for those fat arsed women out there who walk on both sides of the path in one direction nattering on about their Gen Y drop kicks…KEEP LEFT!

Keep left.

And if your a cyclist please ding when approaching instead of shouting abuse as you pass.