Proposal to permit cycling on footpaths

Where we live there are "shared" foot/cycle paths a white line divides them,but cyclists still obstruct the road running alongside these paths,and their "excuses" are mostly they do not use the cycle path as there are to many pedestians impeding their journey, in other words they cannot go fast enough, so it would only cause more problems if footpaths nation wide were opened up to cyclists 

There is a regulation that states that bikes must be supplied with a bell when purchased new. However there is no regulation that requires it to stay on the bike!! In fact the Government in their wisdom were/have thinking about scraping that regulation as an effort to reduce red tape!!!

Here in Milton Keynes we over 160 miles of shared pathways called Redways for mixed pedestrian and cycling use. They are about two metres wide. If a family are out for a stroll they do tend to use the whole width of the path so I give a single ping on my bell from a suitable distance and they make room for me. The important thing is that I also smile and thank them as I ride by. 

David

My road bike has no bell. Nor does it have lights, mudguards or anything else that would add weight. But there again, I would never dream of riding it on anything but roads.

I have ridden my mountain bike on bridleways shared with pedestrians. I don't have a bell on that either, but it's really not that difficult to stear around the pedestrians. Other than when they string themselves right across the path, 4 or more abreast (as they often tend to do).

No amount of coughing, noisy gear changing, crunching gravel etc seems to alert them, as they are engrossed in their conversation. Eventially I shout "Excuse Me!!!" and they look around in shocked anger - the very thought that I should disturb them.

No, bikes and pedestrians do not mix well.

Write your comments here...Then why not get a bell..Ian ?

..Because he is useing his "discretion" 

We both have cycles not used as much now , there seem's to be a number of comments regarding walkers walking 2/3/4 abreast , when in car we have seen and have to put up with cyclist doing exactly the same thing on road's and off road paths 

We, both now and with the children when younger, have cycled and walked on duel use paths. Never found it to work, mainly because of three things:- speed differential, cyclists not warning walkers of their approach and walkers who lack awareness of their surroundings. We can see disadvantages from both sides!

Agree there's lots to be considered.  Walkers, parents with children and pushchairs / prams nobody as mention people in wheelchairs or using walking aids there are lots to be considered 

Agree there's lots to be considered.  Walkers, parents with children and pushchairs / prams nobody as mention people in wheelchairs or using walking aids there are lots to be considered 

Write your comments here...AND,  AND  Dogs on extended leads of up to 15ft  !!!!!!.

if councils cut back hedgerows fully and properly, we could reclaim about 50% of our existing paths and cycleways.

some of our paths are about 90% overgrown, with walkers and cyclist forced out into the carriageways by brambles, overhead and low lying branches, etc...

the other main difference in the paths in europe and the uk is the priority of the users...

in holland (say), emerging traffic from a side road must first check that its safe to cross the cycle path before easing further forward to check the traffic on the main carriageway....ie both bikes and cars (in their separate lanes) have priority over emerging (secondary) traffic.

in the uk, its the cycle path that suddenly has a give way line, forcing an upto speed bike to give way to secondary traffic emerging from a minor junction.

multiply this up dozens and dozens of times on a good bike ride and you can see why proficient cyclists choose to mix it with the main traffic flow....they get the priority they 'should' have when on a (main carriageway tracking) cycle track.

a change in the priority would instantly make cycle tracks more user friendly, safer and more attractive to bikers, moving them back from the roads.

Its  not  just  Paths  and  Cycleways,  BB --  just  count  the  road  signs  &  such  that  are  covered  if  not  totally  invisible  due  to  overgrown  hedges,  bushes  &  trees.

Sorry  now  back  to  the  thread