Notice that the ped's solutions were all restrictions on cyclists while the cyclist suggested that all path users (including cyclists) act more predicatably and responsibly. The ped thinks that banning headphone use would be "unfair." How could that possibly be unfair? She needs to start paying attention to what's going on around her and taking responsiblity for herself and her baby.
Originally Posted by galen_52657
A MUP is not a road. . . .
An MUP is much more like a road than a sidewalk. I agree that cyclists must pass safely, but like cyclists on the road, pedestrians on an MUP must stay aware of their surroundings. If pedestrians want a nice leisurely stroll, or if they want to walk/run side-by-side, they should use a sidewalk or a nature path. If they want to be on an MUP, they have to take the personal responsibility to be aware of their surroundings, and that means (among other things) not wearing headphones.
Forester is right about the lawlessness of MUP's, especially when the weather is good. In Columbus, there are posted "rules," but there's no law to back up the "rules." They are really just suggestions. Like some others who have posted in this thread, I avoid MUP's on nice days. There are too many idiots--too many cyclists who don't know how to ride safely around others and too many stupid, oblivious, irresponsible pedestrians like Ms. Ratner.
All that said, on crowded MUP's we cyclists must go slow enough to stop if the idiot in front of us takes two steps in the wrong direction at the wrong time. It appears that the cyclist violated that basic safety rule. Ratner was still stupid, oblivious and irresponsible, but the cyclist could have and should have prevented the accident.