Courtesy in shared spaces

A couple of things have got me thinking recently.

One of them was someone speculating that the growth in gravel/all road was people looking to take advantage of riding on spaces where there aren't motor vehicles with the associated dangers, with gravel bikes providing you with the opportunity to ride out (as opposed to drive) out to these spaces - something that's harder to do on a MTB).

The other point was taking part in an organised all road/gravel event recently where I found myself riding through a public park with a group of random 20 somethings (bearing in mind I'm definitely closer to 50 than 40) who managed to trigger a Mum who had a child nearby. Now I'd describe the cyclists as riding comfortably within their abilities but it was definitely enough to unnerve the Mum. Some of the cyclists seemed to almost laugh off the situation although a chat with some of did get them reflecting on why she might have been concerned.

Now what I find myself worrying about is we're treating pedestrians and other vulnerable users in much the same way as motorists are treating us on the roads - us being the faster heavier and ultimately more dangerous objects.

I know this isn't a new thing but I reckon there's a lot more the cycle community can do to be courteous in shared spaces. Suggestions include calling out when you're approaching so you don't seemingly land out of the blue, lower your speed to something that's not only safe but is going to leave other shared space users feeling safe particularly when there's children about.

I do feel like centrist Dad with these comments (despite the fact that I've got no kids of my own) having done alley cats and other tomfoolery in my yoof. That being said, I do believe we need to look out for the more vulnerable both because it's right also because we may face increasing limitations on the used of shared spaces if we don't.

Keen to hear other peoples thoughts on this...

My 2p
Most shared space is awful.
As cyclists we should leave space, we should slow down around people, however;
Pedestrians know they are not in any real danger, the shock is not for fear of harm it is because you are in their space and they don’t like it.
If they had any sense that they could really get hurt they wouldn’t behave the way they do. People don’t walk on share paths as they do on the side of the road or in a car park because they know that cars maim/kill you, but bikes bruise you in the vast majority of the time. You only have to see the way people look at you, actually see you and yet still decide to step out in front of you to see they know that the consequences are bearable.
Having said that, if you want to smash that segment along that old railway line get up super early before others are about, but still be prepared to slow down or stop for that chap with his spaniel on a black extendable lead, 20m behind him in the bushes on the other side of the track to him…

Obviously cyclists bear the brunt of the responsibility but fuck me I’d like to see some more self awareness from pedestrians sometimes - I cycle down a few shared use spaces that are quite main cycle commute routes and good alternatives to busy roads -
Just something simple as not walking in the middle of the path glued to a phone in a zig zag motion would be nice

Don’t get me started on dog walkers who think their choice of pet gives them some god-given divine rights no one else has

Now what I find myself worrying about is we're treating pedestrians and other vulnerable users in much the same way as motorists are treating us on the roads - us being the faster heavier and ultimately more dangerous objects.

I know this isn't a new thing but I reckon there's a lot more the cycle community can do to be courteous in shared spaces.

100% agree. Peds are more vulnerable than cyclists, we should treat them as we'd wish to be treated by cars. A lot of cyclists don't do this.

Now I'd describe the cyclists as riding comfortably within their abilities but it was definitely enough to unnerve the Mum.

This is a big part of the problem. You can be absolutely confident that you can stop in time and are giving pedestrians enough space, but they clearly still find it disconcerting.

^ this

Its similar to a tailgating driver, they know they can stop, but its still disconcerting on the bike.

You see peds you half your speed IMO and give plenty of space, ideally interact/make eye contact.

Threads like these could be grouped into 'some people are cunts no matter what mode of transport they are using'.

Most shared space is awful.

I don't think blaming the quality of the shared space is the answer here, it's about human behaviour.

Pedestrians know they are not in any real danger, the shock is not for fear of harm it is because you are in their space and they don’t like it.

Disagree. Being buzzed by a cyclist doing any speed as a pedestrian doesn't feel great, not because "we're in their space" but because relatively we tend to be going much faster. It's disconcerting at best.

If they had any sense that they could really get hurt they wouldn’t behave the way they do. People don’t walk on share paths as they do on the side of the road or in a car park because they know that cars maim/kill you, but bikes bruise you in the vast majority of the time.

Perhaps they don't behave like they're on the side of the road or in a car park because they're not? They're in what should be a safe space away from motor vehicles, where they can relax.

You only have to see the way people look at you, actually see you and yet still decide to step out in front of you to see they know that the consequences are bearable.

I'm pretty sure this is about misjudging speed and distance - I don't think pedestrians do this deliberately or knowingly.

Don’t get me started on dog walkers who think their choice of pet gives them some god-given divine rights no one else has

Just for some balance: I see at least as many dog walkers who crouch down by the side of the path, out of the way, holding their beloved pets and looking petrified that they will bolt, however slow I go.

Shared space is a challenge, mixing cyclists and pedestrians always degrades the usefulness of the path as a place to get from A to B quickly on a bike. Add to that the fact that many shared paths are in nice locations where pedestrians might just be out for a relaxing stroll and there's plenty of potential for conflict.

Ultimately it's cyclists' responsibility not to ride into pedestrians or cause them alarm. I disagree that pedestrians know that they're not in any harm; our brains just don't do that type of analysis immediately after the sudden unexpected appearance of a fast moving object from behind us. Some pedestrians might resent us being there but (the inevitable small percentage of misanthropes aside) that's because the design isn't really optimal for anyone.

All you can do is leave smashing Strava segments for the road, cycle slowly around pedestrians, bear in mind that there might be various reasons why they're less aware of you than you'd like, and try to judge the perfect moment to ring your bell/say something where you're near enough for them to hear you but far enough away not to startle them.

I think there's a lot to be said for each group stepping inside the other's shoes...and it's a lot easier for us as cyclists to imagine the situation of being a ped who doesn't cyclist than the other way around.

The quality of infrastructure is reliant imo, most shouldn’t be shared and a path with a picture of a bike/ped isn’t infrastructure. It’s a problem/incident waiting to happen. If there are no other options, it’s narrow etc and there are peds around riders should walk imo.
‘Buzzing’
I’ll disagree on this one, people are spooked yes, but they also know that they are unlikely to come to any real harm. My choice of words may have been poor with ‘we’re in their space’ as they are not expecting a cyclist on the path, no matter signage etc and think you are in the wrong so react to that shock and the law breaking they perceive.
‘Not a road’
Whilst this is true in good shared use areas peds should expect to encounter cyclists. On a footpath next to a road most peds don’t react to a car passing at 45kph with maybe 1m of space, because of the way it is designed.
‘Stepping out’
I’ll concede that it’s not a deliberate act. In fact I think in some ways it’s good, because it shows at a deeper level people know that people on bikes aren’t going to hit them, unless there is no possibility of avoiding them. We are after all people on bikes, people on foot can see that.

As @amey said it’s really about cunts.

99.9% of people, riders, walker, dog owners and even rollerbladers are chill and this is not an issue.

Love, Peas X

depending on route, between 3 and 7 miles of my regular commute is along shared paths, canal paths and through a country park.

there are plenty of dog walkers and families with young kids depending on the time of day / season.
just be courteous and ride slow, give a cheery hello, occasionally stop to give a friendly dog a bit of fuss, no problems.

imo it's much better to lead by example and show that not all people riding bikes are cunts!

Yup totally agree.

I find it helps to imagine every ped is a cyclist and you're a driver.

Kill em with kindness and courtesy.

Also worth throwing into the pot here is that many people just flatly hate and fear cycles, whatever you're doing. Just physically being near is enough, there's not much you can do about that, however nicely you're riding.

Same thing with gangs of youths in hoodies, they may not be doing anything wrong but the presence is enough for some people to call the police.

a chat with some of did get them reflecting on why she might have been concerned.

You spoke to them? Big credit if you did.

Amey hit the nail on head. Some people are having a bad day or whatever, best to try and be considerate.

Just for some balance: I see at least as many dog walkers who crouch down by the side of the path, out of the way, holding their beloved pets and looking petrified that they will bolt, however slow I go.

I'll totally do that, partly because my dogs are dickheads and could be off after a squirrel straight under your wheels and partly to make it completely clear to the cyclist that they're fine to ride past. Hopefully I manage to do it without the petrified demeanour, though.

In the last year i've taken to using two shared spaces fairly regularly. I use Surrey Canal walk into Peckham to avoid OKR on my way home and i take the dog along the SE Waterlink way.

General vibe, a lot of people ride like twats on these paths. Probably not popular but i think pedestrians using those paths should be able to switch off and walk in any which way they choose. Life's hard enough and going for a walk might be the only chance that person has to try and relax and enjoy life.

ding ding, smile, nod.

That Surrey canal bit is an absolute nightmare anytime I cycle along it. So many knobs just blasting along it super close to people walking. There’s some pretty tight parts as well where people just force their way through.

I’m very much on the side of just chill out and take it slow then pass people when there’s a nice wide area to give enough space for people. I also hate bells as I feel like I’m just passive aggressively forcing people out of my way, but that’s probably just a me thing.

ding ding, smile, nod

Don’t you ding at me wanker cyclist! Get off the path.

smile, nod

Where’s your bell wanker cyclist! Get off the path.

Rinse. Repeat.

Do you drive an Audi when you’re not on your bike?

Meh. When I'm walking, some of the cunts on (busy) shared paths are going fast enough that it would fucking hurt a lot if they hit me, and I'm a bloke, I'm not that fragile, and I ride enough to be able to judge how fast and how close I'd find acceptable.

Human contact - "excuse me" rather than "on your right" or the ding of a bell - and visibly slowing go a very long way, IMO.

(Yes, "visibly slowing" when you're approaching from behind means you're going fucking slowly when you pass. Oh dear. You're on a shared path. If you want to race, fuck off to a track, or ride up the A2.)

That's what big car wants us to do, fight over scraps of infrastructure while they take up most of it and confidently smash you to bits if you don't get out of the way quick enough.

I went past a lady running in a cycle lane once, a totally quiet road leading from temple mills to the qeop, with a footpath on a bridge, separated from the road, and she shouted at me for not dinging my bell.

I stopped to explain I was on my way to a duathlon and I don't normally bother with a bell for a duathlon, but I don't think I got anywhere. I wasn't going fast either, I am unable to

Lots to agree with here, glad to see the general vibe is towards pedestrian priority. This from Jono sums it up for me:

Probably not popular but i think pedestrians using those paths should be able to switch off and walk in any which way they choose

The motor vehicle comparison is an important one. Fast moving vehicles have made the spaces where we live harder to navigate safely. It is the immediate vicinity of our homes where we are most likely to be walking, playing, meeting people, doing the most basic things that give us quality of life. Prioritising through-traffic makes this harder. If you're on a bike, you are through traffic.

I am an advocate for pedestrian priority in almost all situations. On shared paths, slow to walking pace, say hello and tell them which side you are passing. You might have to stop for unpredictable kids, or groups spanning the whole path. I apply the same to residential streets, and paths that have a painted cycle and ped lane; people will walk into what you might think is 'your' lane. A healthy society is one where people can and do safely walk wherever they want at all times.

Actually easier than expected...their reaction was surprise at the response from the startled pedestrian and explaining to them what it's like on the other foot seemed to be received well(ish). Here I'd stress the importance of not pointing the finger which is likely to get people's heckles up although there's always going to be some people who don't take it well