Ride the wrong side off road??

Tazman46

Hello all,

Very new to the world of cycling but have been a road user for 30 years. Is there an unwritten rule (maybe written?) that says as soon as you get on a cycle path, tow path etc you should ride on the right as opposed to the left here in the UK? I have lost count of the amount of "are we going to have a head on collision" moments I have had in the 3 months I've been cycling. It seems to be where it doesn't suit the "opposer" to be on the correct side-nearer the canal or road as the case may be. Unfortunately it's going a long way to reinforcing my stereotypical view that cyclists do just what they want as long as it suits them. I also kept the bell on my bike, really helps to let pedestrians and slower riders know you're there rather than rushing silently up from behind at limb threatening speeds. They appreciate it too, nice to get a smile and a thankyou. 2nd thoughts, maybe I should ditch it, must weigh at least 10g's.....

Rich Hcp

I ride on the left, same as the traffic.

fast as fupp

i actively avoid cycle paths

amaferanga

There are just a lot of cyclists with no road/cycle path sense.

Ands

Tazman46 wrote:

Hello all,

Very new to the world of cycling but have been a road user for 30 years. Is there an unwritten rule (maybe written?) that says as soon as you get on a cycle path, tow path etc you should ride on the right as opposed to the left here in the UK? I have lost count of the amount of "are we going to have a head on collision" moments I have had in the 3 months I've been cycling. It seems to be where it doesn't suit the "opposer" to be on the correct side-nearer the canal or road as the case may be. Unfortunately it's going a long way to reinforcing my stereotypical view that cyclists do just what they want as long as it suits them. I also kept the bell on my bike, really helps to let pedestrians and slower riders know you're there rather than rushing silently up from behind at limb threatening speeds. They appreciate it too, nice to get a smile and a thankyou. 2nd thoughts, maybe I should ditch it, must weigh at least 10g's.....

Maybe rushing up behind pedestrians at "limb threatening speeds" isn't the smartest way to ride either.

cougie

I was nearly hit by some numpty on a footpath today - silly woman seemed to swerve over to my side of the path - must have missed my hip by inches. On one of those supermarket bikes - no effective brakes and ridden by a muppet who has no idea of how to ride.

ilm_zero7

cougie wrote:

I was nearly hit by some numpty on a footpath today - silly woman seemed to swerve over to my side of the path - must have missed my hip by inches. On one of those supermarket bikes - no effective brakes and ridden by a muppet who has no idea of how to ride.

did you get a look at her,, enough to comment on nationality? then we could have a whole new debate on sexism and race amongst cycle path users on bikes from Wiggle

crankycrank

I don't get it either. I mean how facking hard is it to just move to the left when passing oncoming riders? I see it all the time on paved paths with a white line down the middle even. Or when somebody stops in the middle of a path completely blocking anyone from passing and just stays there as 5 riders have had to detour around them. Sheesh, I could rant on forever so I'll just leave it at that. :evil:

rake

it seem stuborness to move whichever side your on.i used to jog on towpaths and move to the side very far off and still they walk straight at you, doesnt matter which side.used to bug the hell out of me. age makes no diffence either.most of them english :roll:

antfly

I think it`s just more natural to move to the right when on paths, most people realise when you carry on riding straight toward them and they move to the left, it`s like a game of chicken.Or you could just do what they do and go to the right.
The most annoying thing is people with i-pods on cycling or running in the middle of the path so you can`t get past. It`s just selfish. If you`re gonna wear an i-pod get some eyes in the back of your heads, please.

Tazman46

Glad to hear it's not just me then! Not quite sure how it can be more natural to move to the right though, one to watch out for....think I may have found the answer in a smiley! :arrow:

pneumatic

As a pedestrian on country lanes, I was always taught to walk against the flow of traffic (i.e. on the right hand side of the road), so that you could see the cars coming and they could see that you knew they were there. If it is not safe for them to move out to the right to go around you (on a bend or oncoming traffic), you hop onto the verge to let them pass.

I'm guessing this is the same intuition that a lot of people use on a shared path, whether they are on foot or on a bike. You move to the right to get out of others' way.

Remember that most people using cycle paths are doing so because they are nervous about using the road and/or they are inexperienced riders. Few of them ride more than twice the speed of a pedestrian. Riding on cycle paths at "normal" road pace is risky.

My advice would be that, if you want the rules of the road, ride on the road.

CarleyB

Our local cycle path is split into cycle and walk space..still doesn't stop pedestrians walking on the cycle path section. then they wonder why you get naffed off when they block it so you can't get past.

SteveStreamer

I try and avoid cycle paths if I'm out on the road bike. They always seem very gritty (I guess never swept and no cars to blow the cr*p off them) so I'm always wary of punctures. When I do use them everyone I meet seems to keep to the left.