obnoxious cyclist

horizon · Post by **horizon** » 5 May 2011, 7:15pm

Well, what I meant was that the powers-that-be hail canal paths as a traffic free route to absolve them of the responsibility of doing anything on road - that's certainly what happened in the case I referred to. As an added resource, you're right - canal paths are brilliant.

graymee · Post by **graymee** » 7 May 2011, 11:53am

Having read the posts on this thread it would appear that there were two obnoxious (and inconsiderate) cyclists on the towpath.

Mawsley · Post by **Mawsley** » 7 May 2011, 1:35pm

I'm getting really disappointed with this and the other cycle forum.

I thought it would be good natured and informative but it comes across that most are either trolls hunting for shock reactions by being rude or condescending know-alls being sanctimonious.

Is this really what the CTC wants to be associated with?

largeallan · Post by **largeallan** » 7 May 2011, 4:19pm

Mawsley wrote:I'm getting really disappointed with this and the other cycle forum.

I thought it would be good natured and informative but it comes across that most are either trolls hunting for shock reactions by being rude or condescending know-alls being sanctimonious.

Is this really what the CTC wants to be associated with?

I think the whole original post is a wind up to be honest...isn't it? :shock:

meic · Post by **meic** » 7 May 2011, 9:33pm

Mawsley wrote:I'm getting really disappointed with this and the other cycle forum.

I thought it would be good natured and informative but it comes across that most are either trolls hunting for shock reactions by being rude or condescending know-alls being sanctimonious.

Is this really what the CTC wants to be associated with?

No, they dont want to be associated with the forum at all, the forum is an even bigger problem to the CTC than it is for you. :lol:

kevincairns2008 · Post by **kevincairns2008** » 10 May 2011, 11:28am

I have come across walkers that don't consider anybody else and in a mind of their own,the problem is that some walkers walk where they like on marked cycle/footpaths/brideways.I have a Air horn that is very good for clearing people out of the way,instead of shouting at them,also the same with car drivers when they do something wrong ie:driving on marked cycleways at the side of the road.I do my best to be aware of everybody around me and so should everybody else.

thelawnet · Post by **thelawnet** » 10 May 2011, 2:06pm

kevincairns2008 wrote:I have come across walkers that don't consider anybody else and in a mind of their own

Generally speaking they do have right of way in most situations.

If you're walking along a nice quiet path you have a right to be more relaxed than if you were crossing a busy main road. You should expect that.

,the problem is that some walkers walk where they like on marked cycle/footpaths/brideways.I have a Air horn that is very good for clearing people out of the way,instead of shouting at them,also the same with car drivers when they do something wrong ie:driving on marked cycleways at the side of the road.I do my best to be aware of everybody around me and so should everybody else.

On paths with a line down the middle pedestrians should keep to the pedestrian side, but sometimes there's reasons why they don't - perhaps it's overgrown, it's right next to a busy road, whatever. If you can take evasive action then just do that, no point in antagonising people.

If I want to cycle quickly I will use the road. On shared paths and bridleways pedestrians dogs and the like are going to be there, no they are not going to pay as much attention as you, they are walking along at 2-3mph and you are doing 20mph, the situations are not comparable.

Mawsley · Post by **Mawsley** » 10 May 2011, 2:51pm

meic wrote:
Mawsley wrote:I'm getting really disappointed with this and the other cycle forum.

I thought it would be good natured and informative but it comes across that most are either trolls hunting for shock reactions by being rude or condescending know-alls being sanctimonious.

Is this really what the CTC wants to be associated with?

No, they dont want to be associated with the forum at all, the forum is an even bigger problem to the CTC than it is for you.

Not the forum for me, just the rudeness and lack of humour that some people seem to have.

I wonder if there's a correlation between humour failure and bike value? Now there's a thread I'd like to read

kevincairns2008 · Post by **kevincairns2008** » 10 May 2011, 3:04pm

Mawsley · Post by **Mawsley** » 10 May 2011, 3:08pm

kevincairns2008 wrote:Regarding bridgeways,sometimes you get groups of walkers that choose to walk across the whole of the path and don't consider other path users ie:horse riders and cyclists and walk around with their head in the clouds,the countryside is for everybody to enjoy,not just people walking around in a day dream.

"Hell is other people"

ross980 · Post by **ross980** » 14 May 2011, 4:18pm

I ignored him as I was doing about 14mph which I felt was more than fast enough on a narrow shared path

Do you drive? Do you steadfastly sit in outside lane of a motorway at 70mph? Just wondering. Back on topic, sorry to break it to the OP but it isn't your responsibility (or right) to dictate what speed other people ride at (I'm not condoning the other rider's behaviour btw)

He passed me then I sat on his back wheel at 19-20mph

And therefore greatly increased the chance (and consequences) of an accident occurring. :roll:

Perhaps your intentions were good, but your behaviour (imho) was at best sanctimonious and at worse obnoxious/dangerous.

Edwards · Post by **Edwards** » 14 May 2011, 7:17pm

In September 09 I was riding along the canal towpath into Brum when I saw a Police Officer (not PCSO) riding towards me on the towpath. We both stopped for a chat.
He informed me that he was there at the invitation of British Waterways as there had been a lot of complaints about inconsiderate and fast cyclists on the towpath.
We were talking about the permit system and he told me the the system allows BW to close the towpaths to cyclists at any time and in any place they like. We are there by invitation not as a right, so the invitation can be withdrawn at any time.
During this conversation as if to illustrate his point a cyclist came speeding up behind me I think going to squeeze past at speed. He must have realised it was a cop and skidded to a halt. Then he was basically told what I had been but if he did not slowdown and was caught again his permit to use the path would be withdrawn.
It made me wonder if there are to many problems whether BW will ban bikes not being used by people with boats on there?
Yes I do understand there is not much enforcement of speed by BW but they pay to maintain the towpaths. So named so the boats can be towed along the canal not really for cyclists. So why should they put up with the problem cyclists?
I am wondering what will happen when the govt sells off the canals to the highest bidder?

LANDSURFER74 · Post by **LANDSURFER74** » 14 May 2011, 10:55pm

I was riding along the canal between Rotherham and Medowhall last year when a family , mum, dad and 2 girls under 12 came riding towards me.
Both children where wearing automatic life jackets.
'Oh god, panicing parents', i thought . Wrong!
The adults stopped and we chatted as the girls wobbled , laughing, along the towpath ...
'Life jackets are a bit over the top ' , i said.. 'not realy ', said mum...
They've fallen in twice this year already .... !!
'Well why are you still riding this way', says I ...
'It's only water ' said Dad.

Respect to the Blundell family from Atercliffe, Sheffield ... and not a helmet in sight!!!

thelawnet · Post by **thelawnet** » 14 May 2011, 11:32pm

ross980 wrote:
I ignored him as I was doing about 14mph which I felt was more than fast enough on a narrow shared path

Do you drive? Do you steadfastly sit in outside lane of a motorway at 70mph? Just wondering. Back on topic, sorry to break it to the OP but it isn't your responsibility (or right) to dictate what speed other people ride at (I'm not condoning the other rider's behaviour btw)

Motorways have got 2 or more lanes. A better analogy would be with a 30mph single carrigaeway road. If I want to drive along such a road at 20mph, then yes, in fact I can dictate the speed other people drive at. It's fairly common. I was just driving home now, the road was a 50mph limit the car in front was doing 35mph, it wasn't safe to overtake so I sat behind him for 3 miles. No big deal, no harm done.

He passed me then I sat on his back wheel at 19-20mph

And therefore greatly increased the chance (and consequences) of an accident occurring.
Perhaps your intentions were good, but your behaviour (imho) was at best sanctimonious and at worse obnoxious/dangerous.

'Sat on his back wheel' was perhaps not the best term to use. TBH I don't like to ride to close to other bikes, but I kept pace at a safe disance behind him.

gilesjuk · Post by **gilesjuk** » 15 May 2011, 12:26am

I suspect quite a few canal boat owners cycle along towpaths to get to shops and the pub. So banning cyclists isn't likely.

My granddad had one of those motorbikes with pedals, probably so he could cycle along the path then start the engine once on the road.

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