Originally Posted by
bulldog1935
I love seeing moms and/or dads with kids on bikes on the greenways. I always expect kids to do unexpected things, because their world view is very close to them - with the right anticipation, I've stopped in 4' for them before. What I hate is hearing moms and dads yell at them for not pulling over - breaks my heart.
(then there is the people who yell at their dogs - how are you going to get your dog under control by yelling at it?)
Ditto, dogs and kidlets.
There are a few areas where the MUP runs very close to residential neighborhoods and I anticipate kidlets on bikes with families, couples walking (including older folks on canes and walkers), dogs, etc.
I enjoy seeing other folks enjoying the MUP, and am one of those annoying guys grinning like a fool while riding because it's often the best part of my day. I nod and wave quite a bit, especially with the kids.
I always assume it's my responsibility to slow down to accommodate them, not the other way 'round. Kidlets are wobbly and may dart unexpectedly across the path -- not necessarily out of carelessness or inattention, but they simply haven't developed full balance and control. And older folks walking with canes or walkers may stumble easily -- one reason why my mom avoids crowded public places where she gets nervous if joggers, skaters or cyclist pass too closely. And to her, "closely" is within 10 feet, depending on speed. There are plenty of other places on the trails where I can safely ride faster.
While there are a few irresponsible people with dogs, I'm more impressed by the really well trained dogs. They're practically invisible because they don't draw attention to themselves. And one guy in particular works hard with his dog on training. I've seen him around various parts of the trail and park, sometimes separated from his dog by 50 yards or more, reinforcing training. When I see that dog "alone" on the unpaved path alongside the paved path I know its master is near by working on visual commands or vocal commands just out of sight. It's quite impressive to see how that dog is absolutely zeroed in on its master and doesn't flinch when cyclists and joggers zip by.
And a couple of fellows who fish the stream have dogs roaming freely, but the dogs immediately rejoin their masters when other people approach, and sit next to their masters until the cyclists, joggers or walkers pass, then resume their usual dogged investigations into nearby scents. That sort of careful behavior doesn't happen accidentally.