What’s it with people walking and don’t move out the way in cycle lanes

[simonwwfc]

Omg it’s mind blowing how thick some people are that when you ring your bell just turn a blind eye and don’t move , or even people walking towards you and think your in the wrong

 

[irie]

Omg it’s mind blowing how thick some people are that when you ring your bell just turn a blind eye and don’t move , or even people walking towards you and think your in the wrong

When approaching from behind and they don't move they often simply don't hear the bell.

Sometimes get shit from (particularly older) people when riding on Bridleways*, telling us we shouldn't be on them.

And people with dogs seem to think that you should love their dogs like they do.

Just slow down, relax, and humour the muppets. And breathe.

Cyclists have the right to use bridleways (subject to giving way to other users), cycle tracks, restricted byways and byways open to all traffic.

 

[Jurassic]

My pet hate (and it's something that is definitely becoming more and more common) is people walking or running with headphones in/on so that they can't hear you coming even if you ring your bell or call out. It happens all the time on shared trails and cycle paths round here.

 

[Jackware]

Slow down, relax, and humour the muppets. And breathe.

After a ride last weekend along a busy national cycle way near us that's also used by families and dog walkers, I felt like an ambassador for cyclists as we were constantly smiling, exchanging pleasantries and thanking the people who were oblivious to us, even after plenty of bell ringing, for moving out of the marked cycle way.

"Smile and wave boys, smile and wave"

 

[Nicho]

In this area, particularly on a Sunday, it is quite common when riding along the narrow country roads, to whizz around a corner only to be faced with a complete family including small children, babies in prams and the family dog all strung out right across the full width of the carriageway.

 

[maynard]

It blows my mind that people think they can ring a bell at a complete stranger . To get them to move . Here in Australia cyclists are generally looked down on for being rude bell ringers

 

[Jackware]

It blows my mind that people think they can ring a bell at a complete stranger . To get them to move . Here in Australia cyclists are generally looked down on for being rude bell ringers

What's the Australian technique for getting other people to be aware of you?

 

[RedThunder]

What a championship moron in the video above :-~(

 

[irie]

It blows my mind that people think they can ring a bell at a complete stranger . To get them to move . Here in Australia cyclists are generally looked down on for being rude bell ringers

UK Highway Code.

Rule 66. be considerate of other road users, particularly blind and partially sighted pedestrians, and horse riders (see Rule H1). Let them know you are there when necessary, for example, by calling out or ringing your bell if you have one. It is recommended that a bell be fitted.

hth

 

[maynard]

What's the Australian technique for getting other people to be aware of you?

Depends on the walker. Sometimes I try too say politely behind u !! . Some people I just zoom past on the grass. I slow down for dogs and kids . Some people can't hear anything anyway . And get terrified regardless of what I do .

 

[maynard]

Excuse me !! is a good one .

 

[CaptKirk]

Omg it’s mind blowing how thick some people are that when you ring your bell just turn a blind eye and don’t move , or even people walking towards you and think your in the wrong

As someone who has been riding 2 wheels for 60+ years I have been fortunate to be on both sides of this phenomena. Today as a rider on a trail who is approaching a pedestrian from behind the best approach is to ring your bell then announce "PASSIN LEFT" be prepared to slow down and swerve to avoid hitting them, And remember They may also
have a "CCW" , so that will start a whole other aurgument.

 

[steve_sordy]

It blows my mind that people think they can ring a bell at a complete stranger . To get them to move . Here in Australia cyclists are generally looked down on for being rude bell ringers

Here in the UK, I started off without a bell because it felt rude, but then people started yelling "get a bell!"

So, after calling out, coughing, using the rattle from the sexy rear hub, all without much success, I bought a bell. Only for people to jump like hell and get irritated.

The lesson I learned is that no matter what you do, some people just don't like anyone else on the trail. Excessive politeness and a white beard work, especially at this time of year!

But bells seem to upset more people than no bell.

 

[RebornRider]

But bells seem to upset more people than no bell.

My experience on my regular ride, which is a mixed use public park with natural surface trails, is that walkers either respond positively to my Timber bell ("Thanks for the bell!") or they don't react at all. When I started riding there a few years ago, I would call out "on your left" as I rode up behind them, but most people would move left. Now I just call out "bicycle", which works about 98% of the time. People move to the right (I'm in the US, so "keep right except to pass").

I also have a bushy white beard, which may defuse people who want to rant at a thoughtless teenager, but then see an old geezer.

My big complaint is that my town refuses to ticket people who park in bike lanes. I have contacted the local police and local town officials, but nothing gets done.

 

[2WheelsNot4]

The way they are walking away from you, so that when you suddenly do appear in their peripheral vision they get a fright and then of course thats all your fault.

 

[TheRealPoMo]

It blows my mind that people think they can ring a bell at a complete stranger . To get them to move . Here in Australia cyclists are generally looked down on for being rude bell ringers

Indeed, but I still get the occasional wally have a go at me for not ringing it - Usually the ones who are all over the path and not paying attention.
I figure if they can't hear the tyres and the hub ratcheting, they won't hear a bell.

 

[Dannage]

Have you looked at bells that can ring all the time you're on busy singletrack to alert people to you coming before you get too close to make them jump?

Bear Bell | Coghlan's

This compact bell creates a steady ringing to alert others or warn animals of your presence, reducing encounters with animals such as bears and moose. Easily attach to clothing or a pack with its included hook and loop strap. A magnet in the storage bag eliminates noise when it is not needed...

www.coghlans.com

Featured Products

Mountain bike bells - TIMBER is the first bicycle bell designed for mountain biking. MTB trail awareness when you need it. Silence when you don't. NICE TRAILS

www.mtbbell.com

I've tried both of these and both achieve the same objective but the timber is just a better finished product and easier to use.

May be worth a go

 

[SwampNut]

Having a super loud Shimano cassette has its advantages.

Also, it's amazing to me that anyone could find a bell to be rude.

 

[RebornRider]

One of the reasons I chose the i9 Hydra was for the siren noise to alert walkers. But my Timber bell is much louder.

 

[steve_sordy]

Having a super loud Shimano cassette has its advantages.

Also, it's amazing to me that anyone could find a bell to be rude.

When I had a bell, I very soon learned to start ringing it 100 yards away. It was surprising how close I could get before I got a reaction. Too many times the reaction was startlement, accusing looks and accusations of going too fast, being a boy racer (me! I'm 71 and with a white beard), or even "you shouldn't be riding a bike here!" When the bell broke (don't buy the cheap Oi! bell, get the more expensive one), I didn't replace and I haven't missed it.

 

[Mcharza]

My experience on my regular ride, which is a mixed use public park with natural surface trails, is that walkers either respond positively to my Timber bell ("Thanks for the bell!") or they don't react at all. When I started riding there a few years ago, I would call out "on your left" as I rode up behind them, but most people would move left. Now I just call out "bicycle", which works about 98% of the time. People move to the right (I'm in the US, so "keep right except to pass").

I also have a bushy white beard, which may defuse people who want to rant at a thoughtless teenager, but then see an old geezer.

My big complaint is that my town refuses to ticket people who park in bike lanes. I have contacted the local police and local town officials, but nothing gets done.

View attachment 103791

This!
For years I have been using my own voice to warn people. I usually shout in the language of the country where I am "bike is coming" and slow down. It works 98% of the time, but there are always people who are annoyed by that too.
At least it works here in Europe, I haven't ridden in the UK, so I'm not sure if it works there too.

 

[Superses]

My experience on my regular ride, which is a mixed use public park with natural surface trails, is that walkers either respond positively to my Timber bell ("Thanks for the bell!") or they don't react at all. When I started riding there a few years ago, I would call out "on your left" as I rode up behind them, but most people would move left. Now I just call out "bicycle", which works about 98% of the time. People move to the right (I'm in the US, so "keep right except to pass").

I also have a bushy white beard, which may defuse people who want to rant at a thoughtless teenager, but then see an old geezer.

My big complaint is that my town refuses to ticket people who park in bike lanes. I have contacted the local police and local town officials, but nothing gets done.

View attachment 103791

You need Cycling Mikey!!!!

CyclingMikey

Life on the road from a helmet camera. Sometimes interesting, sometimes scary, but almost always fun. I'm a driver too, I love cars, but I don't like dangerous driving and people taking risks with vulnerable road users. Someone has to stand up against the endemic road crime on our public...

www.youtube.com

 

[Mik3F]

Whats even worse is the dog walkers who use the Bike Tracks to walk their dogs on, nothing worse than racing down a trail to be confronted by a dog walker who doesnt want to get out of the way

 

[Paulquattro]

You need Cycling Mikey!!!!

CyclingMikey

Life on the road from a helmet camera. Sometimes interesting, sometimes scary, but almost always fun. I'm a driver too, I love cars, but I don't like dangerous driving and people taking risks with vulnerable road users. Someone has to stand up against the endemic road crime on our public...

www.youtube.com

That dick is a bad front man for cycling
He makes his own drama a lot of the time just for you tube hits
Jeremy vine is another one
Total Bell Ends .

 

[Chedhead]

Alternatives

 

[steve_sordy]

Whats even worse is the dog walkers who use the Bike Tracks to walk their dogs on, nothing worse than racing down a trail to be confronted by a dog walker who doesnt want to get out of the way

A mate of mine (R.I.P.) was cycling with his dog and met a big guy walking up the trail with three Dobermans. At the time, my mate was in his mid 60's and looked older because he was recovering from his third bout of cancer. The big guy knocked him off his bike and while he was on the floor the Dobermans set about his dog.

Some facts to set the scene for what happened next.

My mate used to be a Sergeant Major in the Special Boat Service. He says that the SBS do everything that the SAS does but wearing a wetsuit and flippers! He was an instructor in four different martial arts. Cancers apart, he was still very fit. His dog was an Akita. The Akita is a Japanese fighting dog and they have three different types: big, very big and OMFG! His dog, Kato, was of the OMFG! size and it was an alpha dog as well. (Yikes!)

My mate rose to his feet whilst listening to a stream of invective about old farts who think they can ride blocking the trail........ He knocked the big guy to the floor with one punch. Kato had ripped lumps out of two of the Dobermans and all three had fled, leaving their owner on the floor. As an ex-member of the special forces, wherever he lives he has to report his presence to the local police. As a consequence, he had a good relationship with them. He called the police, they came and arrested the guy for assault and breach of the peace, and probably for failure to control dangerous dogs and anything else they could think of.

Don't you just love a happy ending!

 

[Mik3F]

Sounds like he got just what he deserved (the bloke, not your mate)

 

[Swiss Roll]

Here in the UK, I started off without a bell because it felt rude, but then people started yelling "get a bell!"

So, after calling out, coughing, using the rattle from the sexy rear hub, all without much success, I bought a bell. Only for people to jump like hell and get irritated.

The lesson I learned is that no matter what you do, some people just don't like anyone else on the trail. Excessive politeness and a white beard work, especially at this time of year!

But bells seem to upset more people than no bell.

I have one bike with a bell on it, but i never ring it, i feell like a total karen if i do. I used to have one of those kids squeaky toy things you see in bike shops, but it used to really make people jump (though most people found it funny after the jumpscare), so i stopped using it, and now just try to be patient. i do do my old tactic of slamming on the brakes, if i feel they are being particularly selfish.

 

[Swiss Roll]

My experience on my regular ride, which is a mixed use public park with natural surface trails, is that walkers either respond positively to my Timber bell ("Thanks for the bell!") or they don't react at all. When I started riding there a few years ago, I would call out "on your left" as I rode up behind them, but most people would move left. Now I just call out "bicycle", which works about 98% of the time. People move to the right (I'm in the US, so "keep right except to pass").

I also have a bushy white beard, which may defuse people who want to rant at a thoughtless teenager, but then see an old geezer.

My big complaint is that my town refuses to ticket people who park in bike lanes. I have contacted the local police and local town officials, but nothing gets done.

View attachment 103791

At rush hour here where i live, i often ride on roads with traffic at a standstill, with 100s of m of empty painted bike lane along the side, but there is always one asshole who feels the need to drift into the bike lane, and block it. its really the same mindset with peds in bike lanes, they just don't think it's right!!!

 

[steve_sordy]

I have one bike with a bell on it, but i never ring it, i feell like a total karen if i do. I used to have one of those kids squeaky toy things you see in bike shops, but it used to really make people jump (though most people found it funny after the jumpscare), so i stopped using it, and now just try to be patient. i do do my old tactic of slamming on the brakes, if i feel they are being particularly selfish.