"What you are thinking of there is a park"
No, paths are social space, I personally use them for cycling, playing chase with the boy, walking the dog off the lead, and sometimes in a group walking 4 abreast. Definitely social space.
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Debate!
Dog Crash
(47 posts)-
Posted 6 years ago #
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Well....Don't be surprised if you come into conflict with people who are using the cycle path to ride a bike and attempting to equitably share the space.
Posted 6 years ago # -
I must confess, I am intrigued. When you go out for a walk with family or friends, do you always walk in single file at a constant speed along the left of the path?
Have you never been tempted to shoulder check a loved one as a joke, or flick the ball out of your child's hand, and then chase them?
Posted 6 years ago # -
If I go for a walk on the NEPN (& I quite often do) then I am happy to walk two abreast by the side of the path. I don't throw myself onto the verge to make space for cyclists, but I absolutely remain aware that I am sharing the space with people on bikes, so if I am about to move from one side of the path to the other I check over my shoulder to see if it is safe to move. I do this because I think it is the considerate, careful and sociable thing to do. As a pedestrian on a cyclepath I have a responsibility to other people using the path. Just as I do when I am cycling: I tend to regard those who think that because they are pedestrians and have 'priority' over cyclists, that they can just behave as they like, as being selfish, inconsiderate and displaying a sense of entitlement which sums up a lot of what is wrong with modern society. So, no. I don't do anything which might carelessly endanger someone elses safety when I'm on a cyclepath because I like to think I am a responsible adult who is aware that I am sharing public space with other people.
I once witnessed an elderly woman arguing on her phone who waved her walking stick at ninety degrees across the path. This caused a passing cyclist to swerve off the path and into a bush. That'll teach him to expect the unexpected eh? Especially since he was aged about 8.Posted 6 years ago # -
But we expect motorists to be able to anticipate a cyclist swerving on a road because of a pot hole?
Posted 6 years ago # -
Yes, that doesn't mean that it entitles me, as a cyclist, to weave merrily across the road on a whim and to take no notice of any motor vehicles in the vicinity.
If I am cycling on a cycle path I take due cognisance of other people using the path. It doesn't give then carte blanche to behave like a selfish, entitled idiot.Posted 6 years ago # -
Maybe stables should give their horses a break from those inconvenient saddles, reins and halters and send them out unencumbered to play on the roads, or Farmer Giles could open his gates and let his cattle run free on the lanes. They can always blame drivers afterwards if there's a incident.
I know, it sounds ridiculous. Seems to be what some inconsiderate dog owners think regarding shared paths and cyclists though
Posted 6 years ago # -
The actual problem is that cyclists (on the evidence of this thread) view cycle paths in the same vane as roads .
None of the other users view paths in this manor.
Posted 6 years ago # -
Nope. I view them as cyclepaths, and if you take from what I've said that I think it gives me sole rights as a cyclist to bulldoze everyone out of the way then I'm afraid you haven't read my posts properly. I believe in using the paths safely with a sense of responsibilty to other people. Whether I am on foot or on two wheels. Does that give you a problem? I can't believe that you can apparently make the case for acting without any consideration the consequences of your actions. Sounds to me like the attitude of an awful lot of drivers. In their case it's because they are surrounded by 1.5 tons of car. In your case its just because you are on foot. Let's return to the OP. what do you think? The cyclist's at fault, obvs.
EDIT. You might notice the signs up on the cyclepath. "Have consideration for other path users"
Don't you think that is a good idea?Posted 6 years ago # -
Not sure why there is so mch heat in this thread.?
I know most of the dogs and owners on the WoL Path from Balerno to canal. Some fine individuals. Likewise I know most of the cyclists, again some fine individuals.
There are unreason able dog walkers, unreasonable cyclists and unreasonable dogs ( very few of them, but I am most considerate of their randomness).
The thing is, to lesser or greater extent we do all just rub Lang, occasional disagreement but we share the path. Sharing the path does not mean big love or even mutual respect, it just means we rub along without losing the plot. The original post at top of thread does suggest mischief or stupidity by a dog owner/ walker. Dog walkers who walk six dogs get my goat
Posted 6 years ago # -
Dog walkers who walk six dogs get my goat
Hexahounds abound. Don't like them.
Posted 6 years ago # -
I presume then I should stop playing with my son whilst on any path?
When I'm on my bike and come across people enjoying frivolous family time whilst out for a walk, I slow down and smile on the way past. Sometimes I even have to stop and dismount, I'd rather that than impose some sort of false morality on them for being happy!
Is it any wonder the council is throwing up barriers everywhere to slow us down. I have had a local councillor (Fife) approach my group citing concerns over cyclists going too fast on paths (we had a debate, then some of the group started to verbally abuse her. I had to put a stop to that). As mentioned before local concerns amount to dog fouling, and irresponsible cyclists. I'm not aware of any concerns raised with the community council about irresponsible pedestrians.
Posted 6 years ago # -
(Any heat coming from me is purely perceived, I enjoy the debate. I do confess to being annoyed at the suggestion all dog owners leave mess, we don't- especially when it comes from cyclists, you know the red light thing...)
Posted 6 years ago # -
Just wish t point out there is no actual disagreement in any of thes posts so everybody, like, err, just take it down a notch
Posted 6 years ago # -
I'm not aware of any concerns raised with the community council about irresponsible pedestrians.
Perhaps you should direct the council's attention to the OPPosted 6 years ago # -
Hmm, I should have put the boy to bed half an hour ago.
I am being an irresponsible parent... ;)
Posted 6 years ago # -
No. I can vouch for the fact that @unhurt is a rather charming human being.
I like dogs a great deal and will happily take even accidental comparisons as a compliment. (I slow down to look at dogs on shared use paths, at which point the accompanying humans often apologise because they think I'm eyeing the beast with trepidation rather than admiration.)
Posted 6 years ago #
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