Bike riders on paths
Posted by: CAT17
15th Jul 2011 10:02pm
I was nearly skilled by a bike rider on the foot path near my home. I had to stop as the path was not wide enough for he and I to pass without contact. He glared at me and virtually told me to "get out of the way" I said that it was he that should not be on the path and he yelled at me that he had every right to ride on the path. I was pretty sure that that was not right so rang the police when I arrived home to check and YES I am right ONLY pedestrians are allowed on paths. No bikes scooters, skateboards etc are allowed. It is a bit rich when you cant even walk safely on a path and even richer when a young kid has a go at you for doing so!
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Comments 16
alexnicolaidis
Bike riders should be allowed on paths, at least they aren't on the roads. There is nothing I cant stand more than being stuck behind a cyclist on the road, travelling at 30km/h. Keeping cyclists on foot paths is generally a lot safer than having them causing trouble on the roads.
Hol94
theres bike lanes for a reaosn
Knocky
yes I agree one should only ride on the road. If a bike rider is caught on the foot parth there should be a hefty fine.
Instnx
Maybe the government should half the size of our property front nature strip on roads (where suitable) & convert it into a more spacious bicycle lanes with a barrier so there is plenty of distance between "car and cyclist" - this is effect will minimise danger/injury & death & will avoid cyclist utilising foot paths. This wont effect plantation as lawn is still present. Ultimately the government owns the front nature strip with restrictions to property owners whilst we Australian people are maintaining it with effort & paying rates! No Logic...haha!
Horatio47
I agee. I don't see too many but the few I've seen ride the footpath in the evening, no lights and no helmet. Age range: 20-45
PGS
I'm curious - what skill did the rider almost give you?
You seem to be skilled in dodging bikes already. :-)
cafe adam
I ride Motorcycles, mtb and road racing bicycle, I never ride on footpaths, I had a friend hit by a car while the driver was on mobile, I am very choosy where I rtide my bikes, I never want to endanger others.
People in general just have no respect for others these days. Paths are for walking pretty simple.
CAT17
Hi cafe adam thanks for your reply - you are one of the few gentlemen when it comes to bikes etc. I think what has happened to the humanrace is the fact that we just don't seem to care about each other. I try to respect others when I am using the footpath - I use a shopping trolley and I am very careful I dont pump into people or run over their toes. I always say "excuse me" if I am trying to come along the path with my trolley - most people are helpful and stay out of the way - but ofcourse there is always someone who obviously "owns" the path and just stay put. These people I have to go round as they just wont move. Happy riding cafe adam and do be careful, some drivers also think they "own" the roads.
Anonymous
i agree
CAT17
Hi Jack Thanks for your reply. I am still dodging scooters, but I must admit I am becoming quiet a "mover" at stepping out of the way. Now I have to watchout for the long skate boards as well?? Oh life wasn't meant to be easy!
dthought
Hi Cat
I disagree about the scooters. I let my kids ride scooters to and from the shops. But I don't do it unspervised and I remind them to ensure they respect the rights of other walkers. Scooters can only be used on the footpath, especially by little kids. I also ride a foot powered scooter myself (mid-40's dad) especially when I am with my kids.
If you want to talk about wheels on the footpath then elderly people in their powered chairs are just as savage and selfish as some junior bike riders. We have a couple in our town who seem to be only to happy to charge at pedestrians when they get the chance.
Captain Slog
Hi Everyone,
I agree with CAT17, and "dthought." Foot Paths are for FOOT Traffic only. The ONLY Exceptions are small kids and Posties.
In the kid's case, they MUST be taught by their parents that they can ONLY ride on the footpaths because it is far too dangerous for them to ride on the roads. They should also be taught that they MUST be aware of people walking down the paths, and to be careful not to hit them. Also, to slow down and watch out at Driveways in case a car is backing out.
In the Postie's case, they have a LEGAL Right to ride on the Footpaths because they would otherwise not be able to do their jobs. They too, being adults also know, or should, that they, too, need to be very careful of prdestrians.
The real problem these days is most people can't be bothered to teach their kids about Road Safety or how to ride their bikes safely. Most kids, and or adults don't even CARE about Road Safety and tend to ride anywhere they like in all directions as if it was their right to do whatever they like. Even to the point of, as I saw with one absolute IDIOT, doing one wheel stands and "Tricks" on a busy road. They have even taken over the Shopping Malls.
People NEED to be educated about Road Safety. We were taught in School about it. THe Traffic Cops used to come to our School every month to instruct kids about their bikes and their LEGAL Requirements, such as BELL or HORN, Brakes, Lights, Reflectors and how to behave on the Roads. Using Turning Signals, etc.
These days, Bike Manufacturers must think that EVERYONE is into Mountain Biking or Road Racing ala Tour de France, because just about EVERY bike you see today has. . . NO MUD GUARDS!!! Mud Guards are there for a reason! So you don't get CRAP up your back when you're out in wet weather. It is also a place to have a Rear Red Reflector and Strip. In the front, you don't get the muck flicked up and all over your feet. Also, today's bikes arre ALL those crappy things with 10+ Speeds and those crappy damned Shifters and Derailers.
I grew up in an age where only Racing bikes had that crap on them (See above comments about that.), and we all had either One Speed with either Foot Brake or Free Wheel and Hand Brakes, or a Three Speed Sturny Archer Type Bike. ALL had Mud Guards and all the fittings.
Bikes are a mode of TRANSPORT, just like a Motor Bike and a car is, and should be treated as such.
Imagine how the world would look if people in cars behaved they way cyclists do. Oh! They do! In CHINA and ASIA General. We saw it not only on TV, but You Tube has a lot of this stupid behaviour. Just look up "Bad Day for Scooter Rider in China." What a NUTTER!!! Bloody hilarious though.
CAT17
Hey I agree about the "gofers" pension day can be quite a challenge to get to the shops and back without being run down. Sorry to let you know but it is against the law (I checked) to scoot on the paths. Check with your Police Station because if you do injure someone with your scooters it could be a bit expensive if they decide to sue you. Let your little ones scoot at the park, much safer for all.
CAT17
Hey I have nothing against superised scooters, but unfortunately not all parents are like you. I agree the olds should be considerate too. I just think if all "wheelies" took the time to be careful on the paths they are sharing we would be safe. By the way I am in my 60's and very active but bkes on paths are against the law and that's that. Happy scooting SAFELY!!
CAT17
Thanks for the reply I must admit it is a trying time for seniors and particularly the elderly. I live in a suburb that has many elderly and many walk with a stick or frame. It is school holidays here at the moment and it is "hairy" on the paths. Those little wheeled skooters that even very small children ride are every where. Why do their parents allow them to ride them on the path? They are small (the children I mean) and when they are on wheels it is easy to be "run over" by them.They love to drop them down where ever they stop and people have to step over them too. I nearly tripped over one in the library?? The little girl was so engrossed in her book she had no idea who or what was around her! Oh am I getting old or are others feeling the same as me? I live in an appartment building and unfortunately there are a few "holiday rentals" in the buildimg - Got to be careful in the passage ways and even the lift! Where are their parents? Do they know what their children are up to? Safe "path negotiating" to all!
White Crane
I agree with you...I have been more fortunate..they usually give way to me on the footpath..I fear for the elderly whom it takes little to unbalance..