I use our local MUP as both a cyclist and as a pedestrian, and I've had far greater potentially dangerous and downright unpleasant interactions with cyclists while I've been walking, than vice versa. Only twice have I been riding and had a potentially bad situation - one involved a dog walker with a pooch on a retractable lead that they let
cross the trail to do its business. The other was actually a roller blader who thought this often-crowded trail was a good place to learn how to blade backward.
While walking the trail, though, I have been buzzed within a fraction of an inch repeatedly by cyclists who pass carelessly. I'm not talking about riders who fail to announce themselves and have close calls because of unpredictable pedestrian reactions. I'm talking about blatant unsafe riding. When they come up behind other path occupants (of all stripes slower than they - not just those on foot) and the oncoming lane is obstructed, rather than hit the brakes and slow until the oncoming lane is clear, they try to squeeze through in between the other trail oppcupants.
Now, I'm a cyclist. I love riding. And I would never suggest that the members here would behave this way. But I also understand that the posted rules on the trail have a purpose, and it's important that they be obeyed for everyone's safety. Pedestrians have the right of way. Cyclists are required to yield to them. Roller bladers are required to yield to everyone. It's not acceptable to ride as though the trail is their own personal high-speed slalom course. If a cyclist is that concerned about the training effect of riding consistently at speed, a crowded MUP is not the place to do it. Just last night wo different cyclists came within a half-inch of hitting me, while riding at least 18-20 MPH, one while overtaking me from behind, the other while approaching me and passing occupants in his own lane. The latter was a person on a fully-faired (actually enclosed) recumbent trike, and you'd think he was qualifying for Bonneville.
I may get jumped on for saying this, but nearly every time I set foot on that trail, some cyclist makes me ashamed to call myself one of his/her fellows.
Go ahead - pile on.
