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Which side to pass on cycle paths?

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  • July 15, 2017 at 4:05 pm #27354
    The Gavalier

    Just wondering what people’s thoughts are on this. I commute to work by bike every day and use a couple of cycle paths. When there’s another cyclist coming the other way I always stay left as it seems to make sense as we drive/ride on the left in the UK. However there often seems to be a bit of a stand off when someone coming the other way sticks to their right, and eventually someone has to move over. What do other people do? Does it make sense to stay left or am I getting this wrong?

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  • July 15, 2017 at 8:31 pm #897293
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    The Gavalier
    dottigirl wrote:
    Just a quick note: I often ride my bike when I ‘walk’ the dogs, and I’ll often be on the side which gives the dogs most protection, or where I know they’ll pop out of the brush.

    Please think ahead and don’t have a go at someone if they’re doing similar – it’s for your sakes. I had one guy have a right go the other day – he was busy shouting from yards away. Idiot.

    If you’re walking them on a shared cycle path how can you have control of them if you’re also riding your bike?

    July 15, 2017 at 7:31 pm #897291
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    dottigirl

    Just a quick note: I often

    Just a quick note: I often ride my bike when I ‘walk’ the dogs, and I’ll often be on the side which gives the dogs most protection, or where I know they’ll pop out of the brush.

    Please think ahead and don’t have a go at someone if they’re doing similar – it’s for your sakes. I had one guy have a right go the other day – he was busy shouting from yards away. Idiot.

    July 15, 2017 at 6:47 pm #897289
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    brooksby

    FluffyKittenofTindalos wrote:

    FluffyKittenofTindalos wrote:
    Seems like such rules all fall apart entirely if its a path shared with pedestrians though.

    True. Some will keep right (I’d guess, following instructions about walking on a road with no footway). Others keep left. And others will somehow spread out across the entire path while plugged into an iPod and walking a dog.., Grrr.

    July 15, 2017 at 6:47 pm #897287
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    The Gavalier

    Maybe some people get

    Maybe some people get confused if the cycle side of a shared use path they’re riding on is in the right. 

    July 15, 2017 at 6:44 pm #897285
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    hawkinspeter

    Pass on the left and overtake

    Pass on the left and overtake on the right (except when a newbie goes the wrong way).

    July 15, 2017 at 6:31 pm #897283
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    FluffyKittenofTindalos

    Seems obvious to me that you
    Seems obvious to me that you behave as on the road and keep to the left. But its odd how often a rider coming the other way will stubbornly remain on their right. Perhaps many of those on cycle paths never actually ride on the road so aren’t aware of that rule?

    Seems like such rules all fall apart entirely if its a path shared with pedestrians though.

    July 15, 2017 at 5:58 pm #897281
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    The Gavalier
    pockstone wrote:
    skwarczek wrote:
    Stick to the left hand wall. Works for me on cycle paths, parkruns and also in a maze. 

    I do keep a look out behind in case of faster riders, so i’d move to the right for them if i have enough time. But I try to always pass on the left. 

     

    I’m seriously confused by your suggestion. Keep left , yes, but why move right when someone wants to pass you? And why pass on the left? I assume you’re writing from the UK. (Except most of what you said suggests you’re not!)

    Just use the same convention you would on the road.

    Keep left, overtake on the right.

    I regularly commute along a canal, but am amazed how many people can’t get their heads around this.

    Yes, I’m a little confused as to why you’d move to the right to allow a faster rider to pass on the inside. Like you say, same rules as you would in the road. 

    July 15, 2017 at 5:49 pm #897279
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    pockstone
    skwarczek wrote:
    Stick to the left hand wall. Works for me on cycle paths, parkruns and also in a maze. 

    I do keep a look out behind in case of faster riders, so i’d move to the right for them if i have enough time. But I try to always pass on the left. 

     

    I’m seriously confused by your suggestion. Keep left , yes, but why move right when someone wants to pass you? And why pass on the left? I assume you’re writing from the UK. (Except most of what you said suggests you’re not!)

    Just use the same convention you would on the road.

    Keep left, overtake on the right.

    I regularly commute along a canal, but am amazed how many people can’t get their heads around this.

    July 15, 2017 at 5:33 pm #897277
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    skwarczek

    Stick to the left hand wall.

    Stick to the left hand wall. Works for me on cycle paths, parkruns and also in a maze. 

    I do keep a look out behind in case of faster riders, so i’d move to the right for them if i have enough time. But I try to always pass on the left. 

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