Originally Posted by
mustachiod
i ride on the road and often wish there was a path to use instead. although i have ridden paths before and sometimes people are walking and using the full width of the path do not hear you as you approach, even after saying "on your left" slowing down and saying it a bit louder and then almost stopping and by this time you are screaming and they look at you like you are a jerk.
Yes, my experience too. I no longer say "on your left" as that causes the overtaken rider to immediately swerve left into my path. I have found that stealth passing is safer.
As I've posted many times here every time the MUP vs Road debate comes up: The two worst bike accidents I've ever witnessed in 10 years of riding were on the MUP, not on the road. If you think you are safer on the MUP, you're wrong. In fact, I believe that is the very reason the MUP is not safe - many MUP users think they are safer and therefore act carelessly, which makes it unsafe. Careless acts were the cause of the two horrible accidents I saw, which resulted in ambulance rides.
Of course, I'm making a general statement. I'm sure there are MUPs which are much safer than the alternative roadway, as there are roads I will not ride on, going out of my way to avoid them. I'm just saying, don't think you're any safer just because you're on a MUP. MUP users are far more careless, in my experience, than both road cyclists and cagers. Again, generally speaking.