Feeling a bit bad

Huggles

Hi Everyone,

Firstly, I would be a fairly experienced cyclist, lurker more than poster on this forum. Have gotten great advice here in the past though! I took the plunge and got a new road bike two weeks ago and have since been bitten by the bug and have several wiggle emails to prove it!

Went out for a spin last night, Clontarf-Howth and I ended up roaring at 2 walkers. They were walking side by side towards me on my side in cycle track along the coast. So despite my "move onto the path on other side of the wall" gestures, they stayed were they were. I couldn't move out as I had another cyclist coming in other direction at speed and had no time to make it to the grass. So ended up roaring at them out of sheer frustration I guess.

This is first time I have any sort of run in on the bike. Feeling a bit bad now, any thoughts?
Was I justified?

Chips Lovell

This is why I cycle on the road and not the cycle path when going down the coast road. It's always littered with walkers, joggers, rollerbladers, dogs etc.

scottreynolds

Huggles wrote: »

This is first time I have any sort of run in on the bike. Feeling a bit bad now, any thoughts?
Was I justified?

I cycle that road all the time. You need to be more patient. Its not your track nor theirs nor mine. They didn't deliberately cause you pain (although I'm sure you feel they did). Just lighten up, smile, and ride on -- its only going to ruin your day.

The cycle track is still better than the road.

I saw someone hit a small child last night on that same track -- first time I have ever seen anyone get hit. Another cyclist was yelling at both the pedo and the cyclist. I don't think he understood the concept of accident. What a dick.

Huggles

scottreynolds wrote: »

I saw someone hit a small child last night on that same track -- first time I have ever seen anyone get hit. Another cyclist was yelling at both the pedo and the cyclist. I don't think he understood the concept of accident. What a dick.

Yes it could definitely be worse I suppose.

Its just if I was cycling on their pavement I am sure I would have heard all about it.

Huggles

el tonto wrote: »

This is why I cycle on the road and not the cycle path when going down the coast road. It's always littered with walkers, joggers, rollerbladers, dogs etc.

I find that track nicer than the road just now, still getting used to MTB to Road bike, skinny wheels, vibrations etc

Captain Havoc

scottreynolds wrote: »

Another cyclist was yelling at both the pedo and the cyclist. What a dick.

Interesting choice of words

scottreynolds

jerseyeire wrote: »

Interesting choice of words

Sorry I meant pedestrian

Huggles

LOL totally didn't notice that one!

jerseyeire wrote: »

Interesting choice of words

Chips Lovell

scottreynolds wrote: »

Another cyclist was yelling at both the pedo and the cyclist. I don't think he understood the concept of accident. What a dick.

:eek:

Huggles wrote: »

I find that track nicer than the road just now, still getting used to MTB to Road bike, skinny wheels, vibrations etc

The road surface isn't the best alright, but less hassle I find than the track. When going to Howth, I'd usually use the Howth Road rather than the Coast Road. It's nice and fast.

crazydingo

I don't know the route or anything, was the cycle path adequately marked so that they would know that it was such?
If so, don't worry yourself, perhaps it will teach them some consideration in the future (although unlikely).
I've always found that the vast majority pedestrians have no consideration for cyclists with their actions (walking on cycle paths, crossing the road without looking or even worse, looking but not caring). When they do this it makes me angry, after all if I didn't show any consideration I'd just swipe them or run into them, so in order to show them how much I care I shout, the more effort I make to take care of their safety then the louder I shout, it's very therapeutic for me to release some love (and rage) in this fashion and hopefully some of them think first before they put themselves and more importantly, myself, in danger in such a fashion in the future! Win-win if you ask me
Long story short, shout away and don't feel bad (providing it isn't you in the wrong!)

*Rant over*

Huggles

It is a whole tarmaced lane all on its own, very clearly marked cycle track. Probably one of teh better ones in the city?

crazydingo wrote: »

I don't know the route or anything, was the cycle path adequately marked so that they would know that it was such?
If so, don't worry yourself, perhaps it will teach them some consideration in the future (although unlikely).
I've always found that the vast majority pedestrians have no consideration for cyclists with their actions (walking on cycle paths, crossing the road without looking or even worse, looking but not caring). When they do this it makes me angry, after all if I didn't show any consideration I'd just swipe them or run into them, so in order to show them how much I care I shout, the more effort I make to take care of their safety then the louder I shout, it's very therapeutic for me to release some love (and rage) in this fashion and hopefully some of them think first before they put themselves and more importantly, myself, in danger in such a fashion in the future! Win-win if you ask me
Long story short, shout away and don't feel bad (providing it isn't you in the wrong!)

*Rant over*

petethedrummer

Though there are clear markings, this is what happens when you start segregating different road/footpath users with lines. People can get territorial.

If you're using this route as part of your commute, then maybe say something but don't get too aggressive. your journey will have taken 10 seconds longer??

If you're looking to train, I'd just go elsewhere. you're probably not taking in the view, so you could be any road. Most people along there are out to enjoy themselves and probably aren't deliberately trying to ruin your day.

Huggles

No not a commute just training. Yes you are correct, it did slow me down, the point is though its a cycle track not pedestrian path/cycle track. The pedestrian path is actually on the other side of a small wall so its just beggars belief really.

EDIT: I meant to say its nothing to do with day ruining more to do with, don't wanna see anyone get hurt.

petethedrummer wrote: »

Though there are clear markings, this is what happens when you start segregating different road/footpath users with lines. People can get territorial.

If you're using this route as part of your commute, then maybe say something but don't get too aggressive. your journey will have taken 10 seconds longer??

If you're looking to train, I'd just go elsewhere. you're probably not taking in the view, so you could be any road. Most people along there are out to enjoy themselves and probably aren't deliberately trying to ruin your day.

Chips Lovell

Huggles wrote: »

Nthe point is though its a cycle track not pedestrian path/cycle track. The pedestrian path is actually on the other side of a small wall so its just beggars belief really.

There's a pedestrian path alongside that cycle lane too. The cycle lane only occupies half the path. To be honest, as with the Phoenix Park, so many people treat it as a footpath that even though it is legally a cycle lane, there's not much you can do about it. You can either roar at people which doesn't achieve much, just accept that there will be obstacles or cycle on the road.

Huggles

Are you referring to pedestrian path that is divided by the small wall? I'm fairly sure teh tarmac portion is just cycle path, could be wrong but I am sure its just bikes.

el tonto wrote: »

There's a pedestrian path alongside that cycle lane too. The cycle lane only occupies half the path. To be honest, as with the Phoenix Park, so many people treat it as a footpath that even though it is legally a cycle lane, there's not much you can do about it. You can either roar at people which doesn't achieve much, just accept that there will be obstacles or cycle on the road.

Chips Lovell

Huggles wrote: »

Are you referring to pedestrian path that is divided by the small wall? I'm fairly sure teh tarmac portion is just cycle path, could be wrong but I am sure its just bikes.

Actually you're right, it depends on the section (it was the "small wall" that threw me). One part has a footpath alongside it, namely the bit between Sutton Cross and Bull Island. Bull Island to Clontarf is just cycle lane, with separate footpaths next to the sea and along the road.

Huggles

Spot On. It happened right across from Castle Avenue on the tarmac

el tonto wrote: »

Actually you're right, it depends on the section (it was the "small wall" that threw me). One part has a footpath alongside it, namely the bit between Sutton Cross and Bull Island. Bull Island to Clontarf is just cycle lane, with separate footpaths next to the sea and along the road.

petethedrummer

Well you can learn to live with it, go elsewhere or try to educate everyone.

For training I really would take another route.

Chips Lovell

It's an issue that's come up plenty of times here re. the Phoenix Park. The general consensus is that roaring at people doesn't help. You're not going to educate everyone as pete says and I reckon people end up resenting you rather than changing their behaviour.

Nietzschean

well just be glad you didn't run into an atheltics club on the cycle path.....
though tbh on that section the thing that annoys me most is the car park section where all the cars back in so far they take up half the footpath...i've ended up on the grass there more that once..

Raam

Nietzschean wrote: »

well just be glad you didn't run into an atheltics club on the cycle path.....
though tbh on that section the thing that annoys me most is the car park section where all the cars back in so far they take up half the footpath...i've ended up on the grass there more that once..

Aye those lads are there a lot in the evenings. I just call "LEFT!" and the red sea parts.

monument

Get a bell... or even a horn.

Maybe I just don't cycle at busy times (or I'm too used to the Phoenix Park), but along the coast road -- all parts of it -- I rarely find peds a problem.

Huggles wrote: »

It is a whole tarmaced lane all on its own, very clearly marked cycle track. Probably one of teh better ones in the city?

Yes, it's one of the best in the city. And, still it's small in a large section for a two-way cycle track.

el tonto wrote: »

There's a pedestrian path alongside that cycle lane too. The cycle lane only occupies half the path....

Where the cycle track is beside the foot pad, there's much of it where the cycle tracks take up far less than half.

el tonto wrote: »

To be honest, as with the Phoenix Park, so many people treat it as a footpath that even though it is legally a cycle lane, there's not much you can do about it.

As far as I can tell, the tracks Phoenix Park are more of a grey area than actual legal cycle tracks.

Húrin

Huggles wrote: »

Was I justified?

No .But I know in situations like that free will sometimes takes a short holiday. I think that such outbursts antagonise people towards "lycra warriors" and perhaps cyclists in general.

scottreynolds wrote: »

I saw someone hit a small child last night on that same track -- first time I have ever seen anyone get hit. Another cyclist was yelling at both the pedo and the cyclist. I don't think he understood the concept of accident. What a dick.

Did the pedo hit the child or did a cyclist hit him?

scottreynolds

Húrin wrote: »

No .But I know in situations like that free will sometimes takes a short holiday. I think that such outbursts antagonise people towards "lycra warriors" and perhaps cyclists in general.



Did the pedo hit the child or did a cyclist hit him?

I just caught the end of it didn't see the cause -- suffice to sy cyclists are blameless.

blorg

Nietzschean wrote: »

well just be glad you didn't run into an atheltics club on the cycle path.....

I had a run in with one of them a few years back. Don't cycle that path much any more, go up the hills in Wicklow instead. Generally though it is fine and wide enough to get around people, I would just yell at them that you are overtaking.

I got a bell specifically for cycling that track, it wasn't much use to be honest. A horn might do the job but so does yelling and you can specify "on your right" etc.

tomasrojo

Huggles wrote: »

It is a whole tarmaced lane all on its own, very clearly marked cycle track. Probably one of teh better ones in the city?

The Clontarf/Howth cycle lane is one of the best ones by accident rather than design. The main problem with all cycle lanes (apart from the risk of pedestrian collisions) is how motorised traffic and cyclists merge at junctions, which are the points of maximum hazard.

The Clontarft/Howth cycle lane has very few junctions, down to the paucity of motorists who wish to drive into the sea. Hence it allows you to cycle completely segregated for very long sections.

lukester

An aside, generally don't like cycle paths, but the grooved section of the coast road out to Howth is lethal in the wet. Nearly came off on some overbanding, not pleasant. I'll try the Howth Rd next time.

thebouldwhacker

scottreynolds wrote: »

I cycle that road all the time. You need to be more patient. Its not your track nor theirs nor mine. They didn't deliberately cause you pain (although I'm sure you feel they did). Just lighten up, smile, and ride on -- its only going to ruin your day.

The cycle track is still better than the road.

I saw someone hit a small child last night on that same track -- first time I have ever seen anyone get hit. Another cyclist was yelling at both the pedo and the cyclist. I don't think he understood the concept of accident. What a dick.

jerseyeire wrote: »

Interesting choice of words

scottreynolds wrote: »

Sorry I meant pedestrian

LOL Class:D Thats how rumors get started!!

I can see it now......

The Sun: Opps, Jackson was a pedestrian, not a pedophile: Sorry about that says accuser...
I meant to say Micheal would take us for a WALK at night not a W**K

:)