The rail trail I ride every day has plenty of walkers and cyclists and, for the most part, it's not an issue. I've often encountered this scenario though and I'm wondering what other cyclists think.

In the example below, assuming that it's fairly evident that the two cyclists, A and B, are going to reach the walkers at the same time, what do you think each cyclist should do? I've encountered too many times where cyclist B decides to pass the walkers despite the fact that he needs to navigate between cyclist A and the pedestrians.

As a person who used to walk on the same trail with cyclists, I'm fairly conscious of pedestrians and how my actions might seem/feel to them regardless of how confident I might be of the move.

And yes, I've also wanted to the wring the necks of walkers in a multitude of situations (usually when there are more than two of them or they have a pet) but that's a different subject.

I slow up on a trail. Rider B won't change until after a collision with something, if then, and I don't want to be the one that causes B to learn a lesson. Note, however, that the roads around here are such that I can stay off trails on weekends and holidays.

B needs to slow down and wait till it’s safe to pass. Pretty simple, really.

Yes, after the pedestrians A has the right of way. If the path is too narrow for all to pass, A should take his entire half early on to discourage a dumb move by B.

Yes. It's important to say, that per above, the pedestrians have the indisputed right of way. After that, A has the right to use the lane it's in. B should only pass the pedestrians once the oncoming lane is clear.

I slow down and wait for the other cyclist to pass, then pass the walkers

Unless a Tour de France stage victory is at stake, I try to chill and make sure that everyone gets through safely, even if they are inconsiderate wankers. Life's too short.

If I'm Bike A...I move to the right side of the path just in case Bike B decides to be dumb and pass the walkers without slowing down.
If I'm Bike B...I slow down until Bike A passes me, then go around the walkers.

THIS. Always assume that someone's going to do something stupid.

Always - lol.

If I'm Bike A, I get all the way to the right, in case B passes. Then at the next opportunity I get the hell off the pedway.

If I'm Bike B, I slow down and wait till A passes. Then at the next opportunity I get the hell off the pedway.

Worth noting, though, that the above situation almost never happens IME. No, the walkers will be going down the exact middle of the pedway, or maybe on the other side of it, or walking a dog on an extendo-leash who is now god only knows where, because all you can see is the thin black line extending into the bushes on the other side of the path, or there are 4 walkers spread out across the whole goddam path, or it's someone on skates, wearing earbuds, who chooses the moment you pass to make an impromptu pirouette.

Mannerisms & entitlement is real & prevalent.

I'd just like to be able to see walkers & others use some sorta front light so it can give a heads up for those approaching.... at least, when they're on the "on coming" side, there's no sudden changes being needed.

Are we talking about the Montour Trail?

If the walkers are facing A, they can obviously see him approaching, and B should wait until he passes. If I were in A’s position, though, I would also anticipate B doing something stupid, and go slow expecting him to pass fist.

When I encounter similar situations ... I reach for the drops, crank up the speed, and scream "Strava, Strava" and blow right up the middle and make everyone scatter, scrambling for survival.

I don't even have Strava.

I call that the "7-10 split maneuver".

I thought with a 7-10 split, you try to hit one of them on the OUTSIDE so it takes the other one out?

Oh, yeah. I guess this maneuver would create a 7-10 split condition. My bad.

So, if you're B, you dive to the right to knock the rightmost pedestrian into the other one, possibly also taking out cyclist A.

Strike!

I’ve noticed walkers for the most part have gotten better. Except for a few with ear buds cranked. 35 years ago I was riding one weekday evening on the path by the North end of National Airport. Four walkers taking up the asphalt and as o approached and slowed down two looked back and quickly looked forward. No movement. Not even for the two bikes coming the other way. Slowed to a walk then went to the right on the grass. The wet grass. Promptly fell. The other two riders made it on their side. Yelled at the walkers who sped up. I still had to pas on the grass. They looked away. Dan walkers.

I couldn’t believe it’s the other day when I faced the exact scenario above except I was A and a mother on a bike pulling a trailer with a young child was B. I assumed she would slow, keep to her side and then pass the walkers after I had cleared. But NO. She came out to pass around the peds and right into my lane. I yelled, WTF as I took an evasive measure and just barely stayed upright going around her and the trailer. The walkers were startled too since she did not announce her pass or ring a bell on top of me yelling at her. It could have gone so wrong.

If anything remotely presents itself like this in the future, I will not ASSUME and will slow the F down just in case.

it's a judgement call. I'm usually the one to slow down, until the other biker passes, then I pass

I'd first see how everyone reacts after blasting the air horn. Maybe not an issue after this for everyone to fit.

Maelochs had the right idea. Though you shouldn't have drops your bike should have aero bars and you should already be fully tucked in the aero position. Those damned pedestrians shouldn't be on my personal TT course. My helmet is shaped like a teardrops because I will leave you both crying and in the dust while I KOM everything and get gold medals at all the triathlons.