Cyclists go too fast on Bristol-Bath railway path, says cyclist injured by speeding cyclist

Was this a hit and run? Sounds like furious driving, doesn't it?

Rule #5 !

I agree! As we don't have the other side of the story we can't point the finger at anyone! Accidents happen guys!

If you will build such infrastructure, people will use it, the problem (if you want call it a problem) with the cycle path is that it's popular, and different groups of people have different expectations placed upon it. It cannot be everything to everyone, it's a fast, direct, traffic free commuter route into Bristol or Bath, it's where people go for their daily exercise regime, it's where people spend the day, it's a nature reserve, children walk to school on it, children play on it, people walk their pets on it, people go there and have picnics on it, how can you encourage all of these uses and not have conflict?

Isn't it called consideration for others?

And if it is signed then I'd guess it is for a reason - why do some people always think they know better?

Simple solution ... paint lane markings on blind corners.

The "racing" cyclist was clearly in the wrong but talk about being melodramatic!

"I consider myself a pretty strong person."

She obviously isn't.

Rob

Its simple, the offending cyclist was not in control of her situation and not in a position to read what was coming towards her, she was a danger to herself and others.
Being able to ride faster than others is not an excuse for doing so in an area of mixed users.
Regardless of what some cyclists think, this route is for a mixture of different uses, that also goes for the dog walkers who allow the dogs to wander when they can see a cyclist approach or pedestrians who walk 3 a breast oblivious to anyone else etc etc.
But to get back to the point, its not the place for training, if you enjoy the buzz of riding fast don't be a dick, enter a race and if your in a hurry it shouldn't be at the expense of others.
I ride along the canal path in Woking regularly and often encounter this type of rider, If I was spoken to like that after an incident by another cyclist, they would find their bike in the canal because "these thing happen".

Strength or weakness are clearly relative concepts, however I can entirely relate to a "strong" person being upset by being knocked over by cyclist at excessive speed and not in proper control of her bike, as is evidently the case here.

We criticise motorists - and rightly so - for exceeding speed limits or for driving without consideration for other road users. We like to see them prosecuted for this, even if sadly that happens all too infrequently.

The Bristol-Bath path is a shared-use facility, for cyclists, walkers, dog-walkers, horse riders, the disabled etc, indeed anyone not using a motor-propelled vehicle. It is not a race track and should NEVER be used as such.

Idiots on all modes of transport I'm afraid - Bristol to Bath path can be ridden quickly and safely on quieter sections with no intersections, but unfortunately many people carry that over in to the busiest bits in Bristol.... or the busiest times when the whole lot should be avoided by anyone wanting a quick journey!

Sounds like someone was going too quick for their own good.

The moral of the tale - if you want to ride fast, man up and use the road.

the path has been full of mamilnodders stomping on the pedals on their hugely expensive sportive weapons for a few years now.

it's like the thunderdome in mad max, but with a crazed weekend warrior on a lapierre, busting out some high-end dhb armour, on a collision course with a hapless family on tagalongs, rather than a bemulleted tina turner.

Sounds like some of the cycle paths in Derbyshire.

We have the added bonus of 1/2 mile former railway tunnels with dog owners who have their black labradors off the lead.

Unlike a motor vehicle crash, everyone survived with what seem minor injuries. The people involved clearly talked afterwards, and I would think more was said - perhaps even sorry - than what quoted.

Lets get more paths and better road infrastructure created so more options open to the growing number of people who ride.

Ensuring there is a thorough cycle training regime at schools will help generations grow up knowing more about safe cycling. Parents can help too by setting a good example.

I find it a bit depressing that commentators are in turn knocking pedestrians. Surely the duty of care and consideration extends from the 'stronger' to the less strong. So in general, motorists should yield for cyclists, and in turn cyclists should yield for pedestrians.

There's actually nothing wrong with dogs off the leads, or children playing. Slow down -if you want to speed along get on the road or a non shared use path

All this comments seem to miss the point that Ms Tanner appears to have been riding a bike actually.

The newspaper photo shows her in cycling garb holding her bike, and the text clearly states "knocked off"

Does look like the other party was at fault based on the onesided evidence given.

I wonder if people would say that if it was a car on the wrong side ?

But your right we dont have the full story.

I blame Strava

Probably right, in a way, about dogs off leads, but dogs on those extending leads?! They make life 'interesting'.

I blame strava too. completely ridiculous to have a segment along the path. it should be removed. in fact i've tried to report it in the past

on a separate note, strava is the fucking pits. i hate it.

How is it okay to have a dog off the lead close to people on bikes? How slow should a cyclist go to pass a dog ?
This rankles as I used to commute on this type of path but was increasingly frustrated at having to slow every few hundred yards to walking speed for people or dogs. On one occasion a guys dog jumped out of the hedge and nearly took me down at which point the dog owner shouted at me!
I wasn't speeding - I was on a hybrid riding conservatively on a dead straight path.

Anyway I now ride on the road to work instead but its annoying that this path has been funded by money designated to improve cycling facilities but instead its a dog exercise track and toilet.

On a separate note I really hate the term 'mamilnodder'. What is exactly wrong with middle aged men in Lycra riding expensive (or indeed any) bikes? Is cycling only a pastime that's to be reserved for specially 'pure' cycling types who were born to it or something and ride their bikes in an approved keepers-of-the-true-flame style?

Sorry to go off on one, but terms like 'nodder' and 'fred' piss me off… but you might have guessed that already

On a separate, separate note you're right about it being like Mad Max down there… the most stressful ride I ever did was on the bike path one May bank holiday more than 10 years ago now when my then five year old daughter and a hundred or more other kids took part in the Blue Peter Ride for Life. They weren't so much the problem, nor were the families and dog walkers out on the route, but then add in all sorts of other people on bikes with lane disclipline and handling skills on about a par with the kids and top it off with blokes on race bikes and in various club colours, and who weren't Johnny-come-lately cyclists, barrelling through the throng at breakneck speeds heading home from training rides I'd guess and accidents were bound to happen. And they duly did. I've never been so glad to finish a bike ride. Oh, and that was a good decade before Strava existed.

point taken regarding mamil/nodder - it was a flippant comment. however, i think you're overly defensive here. it's not like it's inaccurate - the middle aged man in lycra is one of the singular defining features of the current bike boom - or offensive. we're getting our fair share of mamils and nodders into the bristol clubs these days and they are all entirely welcome. if we were keeping the flame we'd be riding fixed over the tourmalet and whispering 'assassins' at the organisers.

anyway - club cyclist, nodder, chopper, racing whippet, etc - they all need to ride slowly and considerately on the cycle path or ride on the road. unfortunately it just doesn't happen.

On a shared use path? As I say, to me there's an unspoken hierarchy of sharing with the other sections of users. id suggest you be prepared to slow to a halt if you see pedestrians ahead, its just good manners, as mentioned if you're out breaking speed records then try the road?

Yes, totally agree that's the way it should be, but too often it isn't.

And sorry wasn't meaning to have a pop at you, just one of my pet hates that I haven't had the chance to sound off about,(being middle-aged and not averse to donning Lycra*) and you gave me the opportunity to unload.

*Sometimes even to go cycling

Have to say I resent dogs off the lead on a shared path, and ts got nothing to do with strava or speeding. Why does curtious behaviour only sit on the shoulders of the cyclist? Whetger you are riding at ten or twenty mph, a loose dog is a damn right pain in the arse. If they arent trying to run under your wheels, they are trying to bite you.
A shared path is after all a public highway of sorts, and no dog owner would let their dog loose on a road with cars hey?
I say, want rag along on your bike... Find a road, want to let your dog off the lead, find a footpath or field.

Agreed. Also see rule #81.

I've been ridden into by a rather large gentleman travelling at speed squeezed into his race gear on the Railway Path. He blamed me for being in the way when he was coming the other way. Still, I'm sure having several holes in my ankle from my chain-ring puncturing it, shredding my shoes and ripping a pair of jeans was worth it if it meant he got nearer the top of the Strava leaderboard!

As has already been said, there's a time and a place, and blind corners and intersections with schools and local neighbourhoods on a shared use path isn't it.

Near sunderland there is a hardpack path among trees with a few blind turns and while it is very fun to fly past them at top speed, once you actually think of what could happen it's not hard to slow down.

etc etc etc

Bottom line; be considerate

Hmm, I am a very considerate cyclist and I love Strava, It doesn't make me rush through zebra crossings, traffic lights etc, it's the poor cyclist that chooses to do that.

To anyone who would fly around a blind bend too fast, just think how you would feel if you hit some mothers toddler because you were going too fast to avoid the collision and now slow the f*** down.

Just sounds like a one-sided story. I have no idea what the relevance of the cyclist wearing 'full racing gear' is, nor that she was out of her saddle.

I have to say that the 'victims' complaints don't make her sound strong at all. A better argument would be made if it was combined with facts and data about other cyclists and the likelihood of a fatal crash. It looks like a colourful bruise, but hardly life threatening.

Hopefully this nice young lady will get a better perspective on it all and begin to enjoy cycling again.

Would love to hear the alternative perspective.

I spend huge amounts of time out of the saddle, a bad habit from many years of single speed mountain biking.

Dogs this, people that..............you would think they were trespassing on a cycle only path. Its open to all so we just have to live with it and stop saying everyone else is in the wrong.

shared dogs on leads racing for strava segments are the REAL problem. when will someone take down these sick, segment-chasing stray hounds.

We live on a cul-de-sac that backs onto the path. At weekends it fills up with cars with bike racks on, overspill from the car park at the steam railway. The path is rammed at weekends with people who just want a quiet place to ride their bike, and rammed at commuter time with people who want a traffic- and hill-free ride to work.

The solution isn't white lines down the middle of the path (you can still see the faded remnants of these in places) or nagging laminated notices, it's more high-spec traffic-free paths to cater to this demand.

It would also help if they were a bit more direct than the Railway Path; there's a tendency for commuters to ride as fast as they can in order to try and make up for the extra distance, and the fiddly way it links into town at the Bristol end.

I'm out of the saddle now. Unfortunately.

Argh! No! You can't do that! If you build more paths, you'll only encourage more cyclists and Bristol doesn't want that. It's not like it's a cycling city. Oh, hang on a minute

Anyway, there's no more money. Bristol isn't building any more roads at the moment. It's not like they're building the missing south-western Bristol link road between the A38 and the A370. Oh, hang on a minute

Also... traffic-free??? Car-free maybe...

Oh well, there's no political will. It won't change. It's not like any of the candidates for Mayor of Bristol are pro-cycling. Oh, hang on a minute http://www.jonrogers.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id... (other candidates may be pro-cycling, but I've yet to find them: the greens want to build a bus station at Temple Meads, but don't mention anything for cycling in their plan for Bristol, which has attracted some comment)

Strava. Hmmmm. It's only a matter of time before the press get hold of this and paint it as illegal road racing and paint all cyclists as TT nuts with no regard for others safety.

Aside it being anti-social for other road users to be honest I can't see the point of Strava. When I go out on my local training run it's me against my clock and the weather that day. I don't what to know what time someone else is doing on another day.

Advertisers keep pushing social media links to these Apps because they hope to grow their client lists in order to sell the company for a profit - it has nothing to do with all being together in a happy racing fraternity.

Risking your life to beat the time of someone you don't know and will probably never meet who set the time on a different day with different conditions and different gearing just seems pointless and a bit sad.

Go join a club, meet people you don't like and kick their arse in person each week. It's much more satisfying believe me.

a.jumper, you can read cycling-focused interviews with all of Bristol's mayoral candidates here:

http://www.lifecycleuk.org.uk/node/154

Jon Rogers is a big supporter of Bristol cycling. Unfortunately he's also the sole mayoral candidate who supports the Council's ill-thought-out scheme to drive a high speed bus route through South Bristol, which would involve degrading or even removing a lot of the semi-decent cycle infrastructure there:

http://stopbrt2.org.uk/

It's only a matter of time before the press get hold of this... and paint all cyclists as... nuts with no regard for others safety

Ahem. I take it you don't read the local papers much?

Not a fan of Strava, but isn't it just the latest manifestation of the long-standing phenomenon of competitive urges being indulged outside a formally organised and marshalled race?

See also speedometers, Cat 6 racing ("The Game"), alleycats, and various other things that have failed to bring about the end of cycling. Even the sole organised TT I've done was held on open roads without a marshall in sight.

Thanks for those. Sadly, pro-cycling does not mean infallible. Also, it's interesting which candidates are pro-cycling when interviewed about cycling, but don't think it's worth putting in their online manifesto! (Green, Labour...)

Bit more on the mayoral candidates' attitudes to cycling here:

http://www.greaterbristol.com/pages/75questions.html#eleven

All of them seem fairly wishy-washy to be honest, but Jon Roger's invocation of antisocial cycling is worrying, and he seems to be promoting the feeble (and blame-shifting) "let's all be nice to each other" ethos over actual street level improvements for walkers and cyclists.

There's a mayoral hustings on transport and active travel on 30 October. You have to pre-register but if you're interested in cycling it might be good to go along and ask them a few awkward questions.

http://www.lifecycleuk.org.uk/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=498

The growth in cycling is a wonderful problem to have and we know a little about this!

http://canalrivertrust.org.uk/see-and-do/cycling/share-the-space-drop-yo...

It's vital that everyone uses Greenways with consideration for others.

Greenways, such as this one, which are spaced use spaces - often with a pedestrian priority - are becoming more heavily used, especially for commuting, as many people perceived the road networks around them are not safe enough.

This isn't really what they are designed for, however, and routes like this can only do so much to absorb this growth. Highways agencies MUST do more to cater for the changing demands of road users and provide range of suitable safe routes for all.

This is why we, at Canal & River Trust, are actively working with TFL and London boroughs to promote alternative routes around Towpath Greenways.

http://jobs.guardian.co.uk/job/4518447/strategic-cycle-routes-coordinator/

The Regents' Canal - for example - can sometimes experience 500 cyclists in an hour at peak commuting times (The towpath is less than 2 meters wide in places and often overwhelmed) and there is evidence that many people no longer feel safe to walk or cycle there as a result.

Our fantastic Volunteer Towpath Ranger team work hard to encourage considerate use by all towpath visitors and with TFL's help we have implemented a wide range of physical measures on the towpath (including signage, speed bumps, chicanes, better surfacing, widening and more subtle design features) to improve the experience for all users of the towpath. (Over the past 5 years we have invested some £4 million across the 100 mile London network in this way.)

Dick Vincent
London Towpath Ranger

Sadly I'm away that day, but I hope other readers can go.

being nice is no protection, sadly. I've been abused just for riding on the road. Enforcement is needed, else some will ignore the rules because it benefits them in the short term. Some of all modes of transport. And the ones with big metal will win, until enough do it to cause chaos.