You're most likely wrong about the last part. I have no statistics to prove it though, so yeah.

If someone passing you makes you 'overcorrect' (why would you need to correct at all?) or 'make a twitchy move', then you might be the dangerous rider. Just keep your current trajectory, it is not that hard. Also, someone passing shouldn't scare you as you should be expecting it. Do you also get scared when a car passes you on the highway?

That I totally agree with. On the other hand, as this thread clearly shows, there is no consensus on what 'safely interacting with other riders' entails. I can guarantee you, no one out there riding wants to crash. It's just that everyone has different views on what's the best way to achieve that goal. If someone passed you and you didn't have to do anything and there was no collision, then it was most likely a safe pass.

Maybe one of these? :)

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped...n_Gas_Horn.JPG

Just the thing for obnoxious Bicycling Jerks to act out with on a MUP.

I agree with this entire post, great stuff. A bell should be essential equipment on any MUP ride.

Depends on how it is done. I had a father-daughter combo around me a few weeks back on the MUP. Ended up blowing by me, hitting a wall, forcing me around, just to come blowing around me again three separate times in a mile or so without a signal anytime. Third time was on a narrow bit of trail where I was already moving to the middle to avoid some fallen tree debris on the side, when the girl came barreling through halfway off the trail with her shoulder into the bushes nearly hitting me. Yes, I tried to correct to give her more space to not wreck us both.

I expect people to pass me in a safe manner, but pretending many people won't shove their bikes where they don't belong to keep up their training pace is silly. Plenty of times someone has suddenly appeared next to me without warning where they didn't really have the space to maneuver safely that startled me.

[MENTION=4588]Machka[/MENTION] I was in a MUP, sometimes it was empty and nice with only occasional cyclists, sometimes got busy with people walking dogs, children, and people running

I love your pictures.

The reason I ask is that I've been to the British Isles twice. They drive on the left there, yet on sidewalks, people walk on the right. I don't know why that is.

As for warning everyone, you wouldn't say that if you saw the Hudson River Greenway which is probably the busiest MUP in the US. I pass people every few seconds in certain sections. If slower moving people don't expect to be passed every few seconds, they're operating very stupidly. And there some like that, usually new users.

I'm gonna get some of those "Ooga" horns. Even the earbud zombies can't ignore what sounds like a scary clown approaching!

God forbid you have to actually slow down if it's crowded.....The world revolves around me......No lesser human is going to screw up my Strava standings,I'll shove them out of my way.....LOVELY!

What a kind and forgiving world we live in......

Ha, Ha, no, I probably did not word that very well. I don't creep anyone out as far as I know:innocent:. What I meant to say is I make sure they know I'm there before I make any attempt to pass after decelerating to match their speed in case of an abrupt U-turn or some such as we have all seen before. I have a Crane Suzu bell and it's plenty loud but I seldom need it as most folks without ear buds hear me coming by just clicking the brake levers or down shifting. My bike is pretty quiet but I had a screechy brake last year that was ideal and quite amusing to some of the elderly ladies I see. With most dog walkers the dog hears me coming way before the walker and usually alerts the walker by turning to look and sometimes moving over itself! I only ride on my small town MUP and the majority of users recognize each other as regulars even if we don't know each others names and usually results in a "hello", hence the "eye contact". I'm not fast enough to pass many cyclists but if I do I just move as far over as I feel is safe and glide on by because by then they know I'm there. You and Rowan have ridden in some lovely places buy those pics but I would have to haul my bike some distance to even make it to another MUP as I'm not ready to ride on the roads just yet. In fact I'm going out there right now:)

When I was young I was riding across the tarmac and asphalt at Keesler AFB from school to the barracks. Cheap 10 speed with a loud freewheel. One of the guys that lived in my wing was up ahead walking. The wind was blowing grit off the ground and jet engine noises were in the background. He must of felt as isolated as Pluto with the expansion of asphalt surrounding him. I snuck up on him and stopped pedaling about 3 feet behind him as I coasted by him. Man that guy could cuss.

I usually just use the word "Passing" in a loud voice. People will move, and even those who don't speak English understand. Years ago, I did some riding in and around Montreal, and having to yell "on your left/a gauche" was just a bit too much. A friend suggested just using "passe", which would be understood as easily by anglophones.

Usually the issue here (and on Central Park loop) are tourists who've decided to get CitiBikes for the day to sightsee.

Anyone expecting to make good time on a MUP is a) in the wrong place and b) likely to be disappointed.

Calling out "on your left" adds a layer of safety to the ride. That is why it is recommended or even required in some of the cycling clubs. Merrymeeting Wheelers (Cycle Club) here, in Brunswick, requires it. It is my pleasure to call out and connect in this way with my fellow cyclists. Some of the faster cyclists don't bother, but I might suggest they discard some of the "A-type personality" traits and instead, join together with the band.

Thanks! :)

The first is our local Cycleway. On that part of the Cycleway the cycling and pedestrian traffic kind of thins out, it is just about at the far end. But closer to the middle of the city, it's like your Cycleway where you're either being passed or passing every few seconds. If you're using the Cycleway, you just expect to pass or be passed, that's just how it is.

The second photo is at Warrnambool (southern Victoria) ... and area we like to visit now and then. When we lived in Victoria, we were down there a couple times a year, but since moving to Tasmania, we've been back there once.

The third is in Melbourne, right along the bay. We were killing some time going for a walk before catching the Spirit of Tasmania back to Tasmania.


On the Cycleway and MUPs etc. people are instructed to both cycle and walk on the left. But on sidewalks (footpaths), people tend to walk so that they're either under shelter when it rains or in shade when the sun shines (except for me ... I walk by myself in the sunshine. :) )

This is on a cycleway just north of Brisbane, Queensland ... (taken when we were there at Easter) ...
https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1551/2...d198fde5_z.jpg

On our Cycleway ...
https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7360/1...39f25745_z.jpg

Unfortunately, too often people just do what they want. There is a nice trail in Detroit that has lines painted directing traffic, two way with a dotted divider for cycles, and a separate walking area with its own line dividing it from the bikes off to the west of the trail for pedestrians. Pedestrians don't seem to understand the pictures of people walking means that is where you walk, and the pictures of bikes means that's where you bike. Cyclists don't understand that dotted divider means you stay to the right of it unless passing.

Machka, Thank you for all of your input! It is always spot on and based on many miles of experience.

I love the Blue sign saying don't block the path.

I took a ride yesterday which involved road and MUPs. Weekday, usually not too busy.

The Pokemon teenagers were out there! I am seeing more and more of them lately. Tell tale signs are a zombie like locked stare at their I-phones. I have heard reports of people being hurt, and from what I see it will continue if it goes unchecked. So, to all of us cyclists, be aware!

Path blocking is extremely rude and dangerous in my book.

I find the cyclists, even the newest ones, a lot easier to predict, and generally follow their line. I give them a courtesy bell and/or On Your Left, never any troubles. The exception being the family, with kid(s) on little bikes that have not been taught well, so they are weaving all over the path, but, they can spotted ahead and the only thing you can do is slow down, a lot, and keep your eyes on them.

Yesterday some people were congregated on the side of the MUP, talking. Rang bell in advance, hand on brakes, as always on MUPs. Talking on the side was cool, until a young child about 4 years old pushed a baby stroller into my line. Parents not controlling their children is a bigger problem than just on MUPs.
I was not very happy, nothing to do with me braking, or hurting myself, but with the serious injury that could come to that child if I plowed into them at 15 mph.
This is one of the ONLY times I have ever done this, but I actually audibly called out, "C'mon people! Control your kids!"
i got "SORRY!" in return. Hopefully a lesson learned by them.

Rollerblades: Highly problematic. They swish side to side, take an entire path, both directions, are usually wearing ear buds, and are usually looking down a few feet in front of them. Luckily you can see them coming 100 yards ahead.

Dog walkers: I have dogs, love them! I find two distinct types of dog walkers. Those who have great control of their pets, follow a line and step aside when they hear a bell or On Your Left. cudos. Then in stark contrast, there are those who block the entire path, alowing their pets to meander to the other side, thus stringing a long trip line across the path.

Pedestrians: Many types. I think Pedestrians are ingrained that they "have the right-a-way" like the entire MUP is a crosswalk. Some seem indignant about it.
The congregators= See their friends, stop abruptly, and form a "block party".
The ear budders= Hearing nothing is one thing, but i find they aren't cognizant of their surroundings either. Zoned out.
The Hold Your Ground walkers= No matter what side they are on, or even down the middle, they will not respond to a bell or On Your Left. They expect you to work around them. Seldom are they to one side or the other.
The "Abreast" Walkers= They see you, hear you, but will continue walking 2 and even 3 people abreast. i shake my head at them as i slowly find a way around them.

The distance runners, as a group, follow the rules of the road. Cyclists usually do. I was never taught to walk on the right side, I just do it. Malls, office buildings, sidewalks....it's just following the rules of the road. Some get it, some don't.

With all respect are the elderly. We should give the elderly all the respect we can muster. We must remember that their eyesight may not be what it used to be. Their hearing may be declining, and their reflexes are slower. they are out, enjoy life, taking a stroll and that is a great thing. I make sure to say "Nice day" or "wonderful weather". We should make sure we give the elderly that respect.

Lastly, I THANK everyone who responds accordingly. If a Pedestrian is walking down the middle of a MUP and moves over, I make sure to Thank them. Same for someone who grabs a child's hand and holds them from darting out. A simple 'Thank You' reinforces the correct behavior. Even if I haven't signaled...such as someone approaching the opposite direction, but I see them make an adjustment because they see me, they get a courteous "Thank You" from me, each and every time.

That's true lol and there were so many eldery people on the trail I go to. One was a lady jogging, she must have been 80 something, going up a hill, she was fast, and I was like WOW. I slowed down and I said Hi, I told her she was my inspiration and that one day I wanted to be as fit as her. She had a big smile like I made her day or something.

I ride a MUP almost every day. At the time I normally ride, the majority of the people on the MUP are elderly or ...elderlier!...:D I have yet to find one that does not respond to the sound of my $3.25 3" diameter Chinese-made bell. :love:

On the other hand, young mothers with strollers, IF they hear the bell... turn back and then assume a perplexed expression, like "what did you do to the ice cream truck?...:eek:"

You have to treat every presence on the MUP as potential for accident. If you like to go 15-20 mph, maybe you shouldn't ride the MUP.

One last pet peeve. Occasionally I ride with a friend (or my wife who is also a friend...:lol: ). 2 abreast (occasionally). Rarely, but it happens, we may not see an approaching force of nature at 20+ mph. (S)he yells 'on your left' and expects that I will instantly de-materialize for him/her to pass. There is no room 'on my left' pumpkin and until I make room, you have to be patient. Running into me and my 300 lbs rider/bike combo will not do you any good, unless you weigh 250# yourself (in which case it is highly unlikely you'd be a 20+ mph force of nature in OUR MUPs).

Bottom line. You have to adapt your personal style to the MUP, you cannot force your style to the multitudes of humanity on the MUP.

I wouldn’t doubt a lot of these people (pedestrians, cyclists, dog-walkers, elderly) are also motorists.

When pedestrians move over on my bell, I also thank them.

I didn't think I needed a bell until I started getting up early in the morning and riding 10 miles around town. I come across a lot of walkers, many of whom walk in the middle of the street and often don't hear me until I'm close. I've managed to accidentally surprise a few of them before I was able to utter "on your left." I don't think many of them know what "on your left" means anyway (at times I've had to use "on your right" when they were walking on the left side of the street), so I ordered a bike bell from Amazon and am patiently waiting for it to get here. Hopefully they'll be able to hear the bell and move over accordingly and I won't surprise them any more.

This goes without saying. I greet and thank anyone that takes notice of my bell or my 'on your left'. Especially loud thank you to the dog handlers who control their pet.

I also say 'thank you, just be aware I am passing' to befuddled pedestrians who stay on the side of the path, not knowing what to do...

However, most of the time I meet the same people, day after day, on bikes, with strollers, walking, running, exercising their dogs. Just a 'hi' is good enough...