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"New Towpath Code of Conduct unveiled"

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  1. chdot
    Admin

    http://www.scottishcanals.co.uk/media-centre/press-releases/new-towpath-code-of-conduct-unveiled

    "

    Share the space, drop your pace
    Considerate cyclists are welcome on the towpath. However, the towpath is not suitable for cycling fast. Fast cyclists often scare people, problems with dogs are more likely and blind corners are also hazards. If speed matters to you, you should use other routes.

    Cycling

    • When approaching other users:
    o Please give pedestrians priority
    o Ting-ting. Slow down and make yourself
    heard with a bell ring or a friendly voice to
    warn of your approach
    o Be aware that not all users will be able to
    hear a bell or call
    o Pass at a slow speed giving plenty of space
    to the other user
    o Be polite and say “thank you”

    "

    http://www.scottishcanals.co.uk/media/2743446/towpath%20code%20of%20conduct.pdf

    Posted 11 years ago #

  2. paul.mag
    Member

    "o Be aware that not all users will be able to
    hear a bell or call "

    and no-one will shoulder check

    Posted 11 years ago #

  3. Dave
    Member

    I don't have a bell on my main commuter (luckily millions of years of evolution have granted me an amazing system for vocal communication built in!)

    One result of this (combined with not listening for other people's bells) is that I approach the bridges on my commute really very carefully indeed, I treat every bridge as if I did hear a bell, I suppose.

    One irony of this is that sometimes, like today, another rider will get on my tail and ping ping ping the bridges from my back wheel, I guess they are used to just nailing through if they don't hear an answering ping (what about everyone who doesn't carry a bell, like all pedestrians for starters?) and get frustrated with my caution.

    Needless to say they can never summon up the speed to get past on the straights.

    I feel a bit like a majestic eagle being bothered by a squawking crow.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  4. gembo
    Member

    Sometimes I say ding ding sorry my bell is broken, but I like bells and I perceive that other shared path users welcome the bell to let them know you are coming.

    I would add

    Be polite and say thank you if other users show even the slightest semblance of acknowledging you and maybe moving slightly to the side

    Spotted dave in currie but heading from the west which foxed me tonight about sixish

    Posted 11 years ago #

  5. Calum
    Member

    You do see quite a bit of conflict on towpaths, but this is rooted in their farcically inadequate nature as well as inconsiderate behaviour.

    Towpaths should be at least four times as wide as they currently are, with segregation between pedestrians and cyclists. Then watch the conflict melt away. They should also have lighting and be surfaced with tarmac.

    This might seem like a bit much to ask, but it's what the Dutch would do and it's what we need to do if we want to describe them as being part of a "National Cycle Network" with a straight face.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  6. gembo
    Member

    Some bits of towpath can be widened eg at Lochrin basin but some of it is very tight. They could pave over the canal again but that might defeat the purpose?

    Posted 11 years ago #

  7. cycletrain
    Member

    More on this:More on this :

    Posted 11 years ago #

  8. Snowy
    Member

    Does anyone know if there was ever a path on the other side of the canal as well?

    Posted 11 years ago #

  9. spytfyre
    Member

    There would not have been a path on the other side.

    I took the canal this morning on the way in as I always seem to pick it up on the way home instead. Lovely sunshine and nobody coming in the opposite direction mostly walkers going to work. Nipped over FBridge at Cargo and down through the Scottish Widows to Festival Sqr to avoid 5 sets of lights. Still didn't seem to make any difference. I ting ting my bell every time and wave when people make an effort to let me pass, imho shouting excuse me can just sound like another pedestrian or maybe a jogger.

    Posted 11 years ago #

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