20 January 2011

Exercise Ettiquette?

| MrMagoo
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Possibly like many of you, I regularly use LBG as an exercise venue, primarily to run around on the now excellent paths that have been laid.

My question or ponderance is what is the ‘right of way’ when running around the lake? (This will obviously have similar implication for LT and LG).

My thinking is like the road, if you keep left then you should be OK. However, some people seem to think the shortest distance between two points is a straight line.

Or in other words they run as close to the lake as possible even if they are running the opposite direction to you.

Running either clockwise or anti-clockwise I think should see you running/riding/roller blading on the left. The new paths offer plenty of room for over taking and huts still have room for both directions of traffic.

Be interested in people’s thoughts.

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If a humble etiquette teacher might put in two cents’ worth, Mr Magoo I agree with you that it is etiquette (and also, I believe, the rules) for all traffic to keep to the left.

Good etiquette is based on common sense. It is sensible and polite for cyclists to let pedestrians know when they are coming (that’s what the bell is for but I’ve had cyclists shout ‘excuse me’ in a friendly way, and been perfectly happy about it), and for pedestrians it’s then sensible to keep firmly to the left, keep their dogs under control and allow the cyclist/jogger/faster walker to pass on the right.

We should always slow down to pass somebody – and never force another person off the path. (Well, obviously.)

If somebody is walking a dog it is a good idea to remember that whizzing by unexpectedly might freak out the animal, so it is better to slow down and let people know you’re coming – or else don’t be surprised if you get barked at. By the same token if you have a dog that might get freaked out and you know somebody is passing, it might be worthwhile moving off the path slightly to avoid problems.

And I always think if somebody has gone to an effort to do the right thing by you, a friendly smile or wave goes a long way.

Blossom Darling

georgesgenitals3:34 pm 21 Jan 11

Like driving, a bit of common courtesy would go along way toward solving the problem.

niknak said :

Lin said :

So I vote for a completely seperate footpath on that busy stretch that goes past the Gallery, etc. That would make everyone happy!

Your self-entitled atttitude and others like you means that other more reasonable and pedestrian-friendly cyclists are tarred with the same “cyclists suck” brush.

Whoop it on the tarmac, not the around the central basin.

Hehe, I’m trying to imagine myself ‘bombing about at 50km/hr’. I have been overtaken by joggers going uphill. (And they did NOT use their bell!!!) But why would you ask cyclists to ride the speed of your average mobility scooter? (or not much faster than a pedestrian)

Why would pedestrians object to a seperate footpath? How is that self-entitled? For all I care they can keep the shared path and they can make a seperate cycling path.

I just thought it would stop all the whingeing from both sides.

I’m a bit confused about why my post deserved such an aggressive response, but I will try not to lie awake about it…

Lin said :

So I vote for a completely seperate footpath on that busy stretch that goes past the Gallery, etc. That would make everyone happy!

I vote that you ride on the road, not a shared use path if you want to bomb about at 50km/hr. Funnily enough, pedestrians are also trying to get from point A to point B.

Your self-entitled atttitude and others like you means that other more reasonable and pedestrian-friendly cyclists are tarred with the same “cyclists suck” brush.

Whoop it on the tarmac, not the around the central basin.

watto23 said :

Also the speed limit in the ACT is 50km/h and this applies to foot/cycle paths.

If there is indeed a 10km/h sign around the basin, then its not reasonable, because there are not enough signs. It would be easy to enter and depart the path there without seeing a 10 Km/h sign.

50 kph! For a footpath?!?!? Ridiculous…

I think you might be thinking of on road cycle paths.

A speed limit of 50kph on the path around the lake is one of the most stupid things I’ve heard this week.

I get out a fair bit, and work with some really stupid people so that’s saying something.

Lin said :

It is a cyclepath, not a footpath.

I don’t see the term “cyclepath” on the TAMS website – they refer to footpaths and “shared paths”. Presumably the path around LBG falls into the latter category, meaning that neither cyclists or pedestrians have the right to claim it based on nomenclature.

Genie said :

I have to admit I no longer walk around LBG because I got fed up with the cyclists thinking they own the footpath. It got to the point where I would actually walk on the grass next to the path where I could.

LG isn’t too bad with cyclists, those that I encounter while walking normally ring their bell on approach.

As for the speed limit being 50km… I’d be curious to see a pedestrian run at this pace.

It is a cyclepath, not a footpath. And I do know that all cyclepaths in the ACT are shared zones. I just think it’s a bit unrealistic and unfair to ask cyclists to ride that whole stretch at 10km an hour. I used to commute from Narrabundah to Civic or Lyneham and I would’ve been late for work every day if I had to ride that slowly. I don’t ride for recreation, I ride to get from point A to point B. I don’t ride fast at all, but 20kph is a pretty low average speed for most cyclists.

So I vote for a completely seperate footpath on that busy stretch that goes past the Gallery, etc. That would make everyone happy!

I have to admit I no longer walk around LBG because I got fed up with the cyclists thinking they own the footpath. It got to the point where I would actually walk on the grass next to the path where I could.

LG isn’t too bad with cyclists, those that I encounter while walking normally ring their bell on approach.

As for the speed limit being 50km… I’d be curious to see a pedestrian run at this pace.

Its actually an offence for a cyclist to
A) not have a bell or horn fitted to the bike and
B) not to use it to warn others they are overtaking

Also the speed limit in the ACT is 50km/h and this applies to foot/cycle paths.

If there is indeed a 10km/h sign around the basin, then its not reasonable, because there are not enough signs. It would be easy to enter and depart the path there without seeing a 10 Km/h sign.

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.

I’ve walked, rollerbladed, ridden and photographed around that area many times, but I don’t recall seeing a speed sign anywhere. Where is it ?

As for the OP, keep left and don’t spread across the path, or if you do move aside when someone approaches.

screaming banshee10:57 pm 20 Jan 11

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

The Traineediplomat9:45 pm 20 Jan 11

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.

la mente torbida4:54 pm 20 Jan 11

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.

Holden Caulfield4:10 pm 20 Jan 11

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.

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