Cycling Lanes, Pedestrians and Roller Bladers

Jason_77

Hey all,

Do you cycle in the Phoenix Park?
Have you had problems with pedestrians and/or roller bladers on the cycle track?

Yesterday, the road was very busy (as it is most Sundays), so I kept to the cycle track. However, I think the road may have been safer.
Following a warning sign to two roller bladers, one of them decides to cross the cycle lane and knock me off the bike, actually I should say poleaxe me off the bike.

What is the etiquette for using the cycle lanes, are roller bladers permitted to use these? I know there is nothing legal here, but surely there is some sort of agreement?

Have others had such problems?

cathald

The quality of some of the cycle lanes are a problem too. The one between rte and belfield is an absolute disgrace, full of storm drains, crap tarmac and holes

digitalage

On sir john rogersons quay I have givin up asking people to move off the lane, now if they get in my way I'll hit them, the ones you hit won't get in the cycle lane again it seems to be working as I only hit one person last week.

kenmc

Is this like the 'carrot and stick' technique without the carrot? What do you use to hit them with? Front wheel? Handlebars? Bunch of 5s? Better be careful that some gouger doesn't wait for you the next morning with piano wire tied to a lamp-post or something..... you'd need to change your jacket/bag/bike colour every day!

Blackgrape

sound like a lot of potential fun with an airhorn??

digitalage

kenmc I think your imagination is runnning away with piano wire. Since I changed my bike and the wheels are alot thinner I try to hit them with my handle bars, was considering on getting an airhorn off dealextreme.

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.11103

Caroline_ie

... Roller blades, mammies walking the dogs, and small children on their pushbikes... and wghen you cycle past them, they look at you as if you were on their way. Blood boiling! So many times I have told them to walk on the pedestrian path ...
In the summer, when they all go to the park, they park their car on the side of the road and unload everything: buggy, kids, dogs, on the cycling lane.
We were in touch with the Park rangers, but they said there's nothing they can do about it ...

Chips Lovell

Seriously, just cycle on the road. It's safer.

Caroline_ie

That's what I do too.

daymobrew

Jason_77 wrote: »

Hey all,

Do you cycle in the Phoenix Park?
Have you had problems with pedestrians and/or roller bladers on the cycle track?

Yesterday, the road was very busy (as it is most Sundays), so I kept to the cycle track. However, I think the road may have been safer.
Following a warning sign to two roller bladers, one of them decides to cross the cycle lane and knock me off the bike, actually I should say poleaxe me off the bike.

What is the etiquette for using the cycle lanes, are roller bladers permitted to use these? I know there is nothing legal here, but surely there is some sort of agreement?

Have others had such problems?

The Park Rangers acknowledge that the "cycle lane" in the Phoenix Park is the source of the most complaints from cyclists. I think that they are too busy counting the complaints to actually do anything about them. Apparently the paths used to be the other way around - pedestrian one adjacent to the road.

Roller bladers are a border case - they are going to fast for the pedestrian lane but are too side-to-side to share the cycle lane.

Etiquette - deep breaths and patience are needed.

Tell us more about this "warning sign" and the poleaxing. The poleaxing sounds like a deliberate assault that I would have reported to the Gardai (a 999 call would have been in order here).

petethedrummer

Are you training? or just using the park to get somewhere?
If you were training i'd use the outer roads. If its just for getting somewhere I'd crawl along the cycle lane or use the road. I know it would be nice to try and educate everyone to use the road properly but you'd be along time at it.
I guess most people in the park are there to enjoy themselves and don't really think about sticking to lane rules. Maybe that's the right attitude on a Sunday in the park.

blorg

I just use the road, making sure to stay far enough out of the reach of any doors. Colliding with people isn't going to do anyone any good.

Chips Lovell

petethedrummer wrote: »

If you were training i'd use the outer roads.

I think this is a key point. If you're flying along at 40kph+ it just isn't safe to be sharing space with pedestrians. Sure they're in the wrong by being there, but unless you want to start mowing people down like our friend above, staying on the road seems to be the more prudent choice. The downside is the occasional verbal altercation with motorists, particuarly taxi drivers, who want to know why you're not cycling on the the bike path. I'd take that any day over the risk of a collision though to be honest.

How Strange

I used to cycle down the Naas Road into town from the main longmile rd/naas rd junction into town and once a bus came so close to me that I came off my bike. Luckily I was going very slow so could jump off. From then on I used the footpaths because you either cycle in the middle of the roadway and obstruct the traffic (so they don't run you over) or cycle on the footpath. I would always yield to pedestrians but used to get people shouting at me for being on the footpath.That stretch of road is treacherous but it was my route in and out of work.

Don't get me started on cycling in Dublin.

Jason_77

Thanks for the replies folks.

For the warning, I shouted 'coming through'. Prior to this warning, the roller bladers were on either side of the track on the grass verges . When she heard the shout she said she panicked and just crossed. I asked did she see me and she said yes, but she didn't know why she crossed.
It was an accident to be fair, but something needs to be done about the use of cycle lanes. Plus it doesn't help me much today as I am in a wee bit of pain, especially my neck and side of head (got a good thump off the ground).

I am training, not just commuting. I normally use the roads but yesterday the main avenue in the park was extremely busy, hence my reason for using the cycle lanes. Agree that the outer roads are better, was on these for most of the time in the saddle.

zorkmundsson

was on the phoenix park cycleway yesterday and i agree, it was fairly chockablock. my biggest problem is small kids wandering ahead/behind their parents; liable to do almost anything, fall, stop dead, walk in front of you. feel bad about shouting at the parents in front of their kids, but it might be necessary if it keeps up in future i think.

niceonetom

ah, the phoenix-park-cyclelane-issue...

i've taken to 'buzzing' some pedestrians. it's not big. it's definitely not clever. it might even be plain wrong. but it is fun. shameful, irresponsible fun. this would qualify as antisocial behavior i suppose, but i've tired of alternately asking, scolding, begging, ignoring, and accepting peds in my lane.

by 'buzzing' i mean getting up a good pace and passing them as near as you dare, from behind. you know you've got it right when you hear a distinctive " 'kin 'ell" or involuntary squeal from your chosen target. i'm careful who i pick on though, no oldies or kids etc.

if self preservation is added to the list of reasons pedestrians shouldn't use the cycle lane, i'm ok with that. being polite/law abiding is not a strong motivator for most. fear is.

zzap64

niceonetom wrote: »

i've taken to 'buzzing' some pedestrians. it's not big. it's definitely not clever. it might even be plain wrong. but it is fun.

I used to do that on the coast road cycle paths near Clontarf. There's a pedestrian path on both sides of the cycle path but would they walk on them? Like f***!

I've always liked the idea of getting an air horn, but it would probably shock them too much and they'd freeze rather than get out of the way

Anyway, you cyclists in Dublin don't know how lucky you have it. I used to think Dublin was a terrible place for cycling until I moved down to Navan. Some terrible quality roads, drivers who have never seen a cyclist before and love cutting you off etc. and kids using you for target practice. The joy!! :eek:

Chips Lovell

niceonetom wrote: »

i've taken to 'buzzing' some pedestrians.

While I can understand the frustration, what happens if the pedestrian suddenly drifts in your direction at the last moment? It can and does happen.

niceonetom

el tonto wrote: »

While I can understand the frustration, what happens if the pedestrian suddenly drifts in your direction at the last moment? It can and does happen.

nothing good obviously. why ask questions you know the answer to?

the key is to do it to the right type of pedestrian and not to get so close to as to bring about any real danger while still being close enough to get the desired yelp. i'm cheeky, not psycho, and have a healthy fear of pain. if you feel the need to tell me i'm irresponsible etc. knock yourself out.

Enduro

getting up a good pace and passing them as near as you dare, from behind. you know you've got it right when you hear a distinctive " 'kin 'ell" or involuntary squeal from your chosen target.

"Tower, This is Ghostrider Requesting A Fly-by"

Ghost Rider

You've just given me another reason to hate my name.

Enduro wrote: »

"Tower, This is Ghostrider Requesting A Fly-by"

kenmc

zzap64 wrote: »

I've always liked the idea of getting an air horn, but it would probably shock them too much and they'd freeze rather than get out of the way

I find it pretty effective on my commute, if you let it off far enough behind they have time to look around see you and move. if they don't then just lay on it the horn until they do hear you, and hit the brakes too. If you're right behind them as they turn they get the fright of their lives. People need to be trained. Noise, fright and pain are often good training tools I think a cattle prod is the ultimate though, but they're a bit heavy to carry on a bike.

Glowing

I had to shout at a woman this morning - she had crossed the road to her friends SUV which was parked half-on, half-off the cycle lane, and never once glanced left, and was just about to open the door right in my path.

Idiot.

Caroline_ie

... 'Buzzin' is a bit harsh now ... most of the roller bladers in the park can't skate ...

The Cycling lanes in the park were deserted yesterday afternoon after work on my way back home

Caroline_ie

Glowing wrote: »

I had to shout at a woman this morning - she had crossed the road to her friends SUV which was parked half-on, half-off the cycle lane, and never once glanced left, and was just about to open the door right in my path.

Idiot.

... and an SUV backed into me yesterday in Renelagh ... someone in his car shouted at him when he saw I was trying to save my own life ...

Builderfromhell

One of my brakes makes aloud squeaking noise when I pull it even a little. I use this to alert pedestrians I see from a distance. Not only on cyclelanes but typically people walking on car side of road sometimes on a mobile. They'll likely turn to cross the road without looking.

niceonetom

Caroline_ie wrote: »

... 'Buzzin' is a bit harsh now ... most of the roller bladers in the park can't skate ...

i actually leave the rollerbladers alone. too much side-to-side stuff to go anywhere near them. withering looks only.

they are ridiculous though aren't they? particularly the fellas humouring their girlfriends and trying (and failing) not to look like complete arses as they try to keep up/not fall in a panting heap. the speed-walkers also crack me up.

Caroline_ie

niceonetom wrote: »

i actually leave the rollerbladers alone. too much side-to-side stuff to go anywhere near them. withering looks only.

they are ridiculous though aren't they? particularly the fellas humouring their girlfriends and trying (and failing) not to look like complete arses as they try to keep up/not fall in a panting heap. the speed-walkers also crack me up.

I agree and it seems to be always the same type of people roller staking ( or trying to ) ...

'Dog Power walking' middle aged women are funny, with their tracksuit bottoms and running shoes and full make up on...

Stark

They also seem to be the most stubborn about using the cycle lane, and many times I've seen them deliberately step off a footpath and onto a cycle lane if they see one. If anyone's in need of an airhorn or a "buzzing" as someone mentioned... :mad:

DaDa

If the park authorities really wanted to do something about it then the simple word "ONLY" under each bicycle symbol, and more of them would go a long way to letting people know what that lane is for.

But at the end of the day, this is Ireland... and on a Sunday everyone tries to chill and relax. In keeping with that spirit (God knows we all need more of it) I don't get uptight about it.

SerialComplaint

digitalage wrote: »

was considering on getting an airhorn off dealextreme.
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.11103

I wonder how close you can get the button to the normal hand position. I wouldn't want to be moving a hand away from the brake lever at a time like this.

niceonetom wrote: »

i've taken to 'buzzing' some pedestrians. it's not big. it's definitely not clever. it might even be plain wrong. but it is fun. shameful, irresponsible fun. this would qualify as antisocial behavior i suppose, but i've tired of alternately asking, scolding, begging, ignoring, and accepting peds in my lane.

by 'buzzing' i mean getting up a good pace and passing them as near as you dare, from behind. you know you've got it right when you hear a distinctive " 'kin 'ell" or involuntary squeal from your chosen target. i'm careful who i pick on though, no oldies or kids etc.

I do a bit of this. I tend to roar 'Cycle Lane' in their ears from about 6 inches away. If I roar earlier, they might well jump in the wrong direction, so I wait until I am too close for them to jump. The roars are lost on the iPod-ed ones, mind you.

Would anyone be up for a 'Reclaim the Cycle Lane' mass cycle around the Phoenix park some day?

Stark

SerialComplaint wrote: »

Would anyone be up for a 'Reclaim the Cycle Lane' mass cycle around the Phoenix park some day?

Sounds like a plan

blorg

Down with this sort of thing- does no-one any good. What you fail to comprehend is the innate folly of off-road cycle lanes which are simply unsuitable for cycling on at any more than maybe 2-3x walking pace. Just use the road. Speed limit in the park is 50km/h anyway.

Reclaim the streets and I would be well with you.

Caroline_ie

SerialComplaint wrote: »

Would anyone be up for a 'Reclaim the Cycle Lane' mass cycle around the Phoenix park some day?

On sunday afternoon when the weather is nice to reach more people

Jumpy

niceonetom wrote: »

i actually leave the rollerbladers alone. too much side-to-side stuff to go anywhere near them. withering looks only.

they are ridiculous though aren't they? particularly the fellas humouring their girlfriends and trying (and failing) not to look like complete arses as they try to keep up/not fall in a panting heap. the speed-walkers also crack me up.

Heh, when we were training in Centennial Park in Sydney, groups of us actually used to pass the cyclist teams doing theirs. Obviously the pros could beat us, but the swearing out of some of them when we skated past was actually quite funny.
Never assume that a bike can beat a skater