Paul Barnard

Lately I have encountered a lot of skaters on the path. It wouldn't be that big of a deal, but they do that Apolo Ohno back and forth thing, eating up the entire path in the process. I am not a skater, but apparently the swerving thing is necessary to maintain a 3 MPH pace. I am not sure that the skaters are aware that their necks allow them to look over their shoulders.

Today was a first. There are several horse stables adjacent to the MS River levee path in the NOLA area. I encounter horses from time to time. The riders are normally good about keeping to one side and monitoring their surroundings. As I came up behind one today, it was moving erratically back and forth across the path. While well behind the horse, and at a volume that I hoped wouldn't startle the horse or rider, I announced my presence. No response. I announced again. No response. When they horse drifted off to the right side, I accelerated past. I looked at the rider as I did. The rider was texting and riding.

I know it's called PAYING attention, but it's actually free. And remarkably easy as an added bonus. That is all.

Russ5415

Hi from Baton rouge. All multi use paths have the issue. I found walkers with earbuds to be the worst when I'm comes to being unaware of their surroundings and easily startled. Rarely encounter horses. But when I do I'm uber cautious as a spooked horse is dangerous for everyone.

biker128pedal

Talk when approaching horse(s). They are normally smarter than their riders. Watch the horses ears. They will point your way to listen. Also watch the riders hands and heals. They will startle and spook their own horse then blame you. Then tell them to take dressage lessons and learn how to really control a horse.

Paul Barnard

Once you get out away from NOLA, these paths are quite good, with very little traffic of any sort. I can easily avoid the higher traffic areas, but a morbid sense of curiosity gets the best of me. And hey, if I didn't have that weird curiosity about me, we wouldn't have awesome threads like this. Yah, I am not too keen on spooking a horse either. Have you seen the teeth on those things?

Paul Barnard

This was the first rider who thought paying attention costs money. Most of them are very good. Most of the time they see me coming and move to the side. I always pass with minimal speed disparity. When they don't seem to notice me, I slowly approach, slow down to match speed from about 15 feet behind and say "I am coming up behind you." This was the first time a rider has not acknowledged me. I thought it was kinda funny that it was a distracted riding situation.

Rolla

Kind of like when I open these threads.

UniChris

Many of the more "wide slice" skaters are actually moving along at a pretty good clip not out of of the range of expectable path cycling speeds.

But regardless, this is what bells are for. People need to be willing to pull things in to occupying only their directional half of the path, regardless if that's their personal movement pattern, their family biking group, their walk with a friend, or their family or dog walk.

And then people who want to pass need to be willing to wait until the oncoming lane is clear.

Expecting to be able to pass someone while using only the half of the path for your direction is more than a bit like a driver who insists they have an inalienable right to pass a cyclist without waiting for an opening in the oncoming lane...

And yes, I'm spoiled, because the overwhelming majority of users of all modes around here actually get it. Things like the day last week when someone continued walking spaced enough from her friend that she remained well over in the opposing lane after the first bell, the second, and as I passed on its far edge ringing continuously are really the exception.

Saturday was the kind of warm preview-of-spring day that had absolutely everyone out on the path, and for a minute I was concerned but people really just got it - only shouting I did was to the under-10 riders in our own group, and that was more precautionary than actually needed, as it's the environment in which they've learned to bike.

Paul Barnard

lololol. This is quality content right here. Have you ever read of a horse rider who is distracted by his phone swerving back and forth across the path?

Rolla

https://forums.horseandhound.co.uk/t...seback.744972/

dedhed

I liked this one.

Quite apart from the legalities I think it's a total discourtesy to the horse to use a phone while riding. I know others don't see it the same way and there are such things as emergencies, but it's something I hate to see either out and about or in the school.
Lol what? My horse has never turned round whilst I've been snapchatting him to my friends and flashed a look of disgust at me

Kat12

It's the hooves, speed, and sheer mass you should worry more about! I imagine a spooked horse jumping into you probably feels much like being doored... by half a car.


Maybe if he was riding while drunk?

UniChris

Each of the few times I've been on a horse, I had to face the reality that the horse knew what it was doing, and I... did not.

It's not quite riding in the back seat of the self-driving car, but closer to that than most other modes.

I remember once riding the East River Greenway and ringing my bell which prompted a little dog who clearly knew a few things about sharing a path to smartly move in behind his oblivious human.

urbanknight

I'm not too fond of paths. Motor vehicle drivers tend to act more predictably, even if they aren't following the laws to a T.

Kabuki12

I quit multi use paths a few years ago, before the whole COVID thing hit. In concept , the MUP is a great idea. In reality it is far more frustrating than it is worth. Here, in my area , even the bike lanes are not used correctly , but at least there is room to go around . I gave up trying to expect folks to do the right thing , I just go around .

nomadmax 

Riding an MUP path is a lot like going to the drive thru with a big order during rush hour. If you think you're EVER gonna get what you want, you're just frustrating yourself for no good reason.

indyfabz

There’s an A&S forum precisely for threads like this. But you already know that.

Paul Barnard

I didn't intend for this one to be taken seriously. A lighter hearted look at paths.

hevysrf

In my experience, the MUP signage directs bicycles to yield to all other users. I'm so slow that it's not usually a problem.

livedarklions

You're just riding on the wrong MUPs. Some of them are fantastic.

ofajen

Yeah, people move and stay here for our trails. People visit from all over the world to use the larger route across the state.

I gave up dedicated road riding thirty years ago because our trails are more enjoyable and a safer place to ride. I ride thousands of miles each year on our trails and by far the biggest nuisance is ice left after a big snow.

Otto

Reflector Guy

We must be riding on the same trails. No complaints here.

livedarklions

Some MUPs are great places to ride, some are crap. Just like roads.

I find in these discussions people just assume that all MUPs are alike. There's MUPs where I can ride fast for miles without encountering anyone else. There's other ones I won't ride on because they're really pedestrian paths with bikes "allowed".

indyfabz

Yeah. Riding conditions can even vary greatly based on the day of the week and time of day.

livedarklions

And section of path. For example, the Minuteman in the Boston area is completely different in terms of on-path traffic at one end than the other.

pdlamb

Are you sure that wasn't a scene out of Blazing Saddles?