First tumble

Mick5

Hey, took my first tumble today in phoenix park. And it was unsuprisingly related to the large numbers of people who insist on walking on the cycle path. I was approaching a large group of people and had to move to the grass to go by them. Next thing a child moved out further and I swerved out wider and the back wheel slid on the damp grass as a I braked and I did a few slides back and forth before it went out from under me. Not hurt or anything or even annoyed to be honest- it was p[robably my own fault for not slowing down enough. I am however fed up of people on the cycle path...

Lumen

If you don't enjoy the ped-dodging, just use the road.

Attempting to use the path gives me a pleasant little rush of moral superiority hormones every time I take to the grass. I firmly believe that these hormones decrease stress and ward off ingrowing leg stubble, cancer, and other maladies from which the committed cyclist is at risk.

blorg

I find yelling at them generally gets them out of the way. Just an "on your right" indication that you are overtaking, nothing abusive at all. You want to do it loud though and from a bit of a distance so they have a chance to react. They generally jump pretty sharpish for me. I then give them a thank you wave. You need to be ready to stop at all times of course. I wouldn't say I don't enjoy it, it hones your bike handling skills and I will often take the path just to do a bit of ped-dodging. "ON YOUR RIGHT!"

**Timbuk2**

You could always attach a siren to your bike

On a serious note - just use the road. It's much easier for cars to overtake you than it is for you to dodge peds.

Wez

I had to hop up onto the path to get passed a car in town recently, kept up the pace though, and as I passed a shopfront (South Suffolk st. I think), some girl stepped right out infront of me (I shouldn't have been there obviously) but I barely skimmed her handbag, say it scared the ****e out of her, it did me!

Love whipping in and out of them on Stephen's Green, like a moving slalom course!

Can be very annoying when people saunter along in the cycle lane though - grinds my gears!

Jawgap

I tend to stick to the road in the Park, but I'm usually there quiet early so there's no parked cars (or very few) to contend with on Chesterfield Avenue.

If I do take the path it's generally because I'm in no rush or just dawdling along. I figure if you use the path, even though it is a cycle path, you're going to get pedestrians on it or "cycle salmon." I think you just have to accept that or use the road.

My own pet favourite are the "ladies who walk" - girls and ladies out power-walking particularly on the new stretch of cycle track on North Road. Zipping past them at speed from behind provides some mild amusement!

Lumen

Jawgap wrote: »

I figure if you use the path, even though it is a cycle path, you're going to get pedestrians on it or "cycle salmon."

Nope, they're pedestrian salmon. And only if going the wrong way.

Bike salmon are other cyclists going along the cycle path the wrong way.

</pedant>

edit: I have fallen on my sword of pedantry in an attempt to preserve my honour.

Jawgap

Lumen wrote: »

Nope, they're pedestrian salmon. And only if going the wrong way.

Bike salmon are other cyclists going along the cycle path the wrong way.

</pedant>

The "or" was disjunctive - the salmon I was referring to were "cyclists" who cycle on the wrong track heading against the flow!!:)

The pedestrians are chub - they just shouldn't be there!!:D

Mick5

I know what you mean about just using the road but in eventuality of an accident you know what absolutely everyone will say- 'why weren't you using the cycling path provided...'

Lumen

Mick5 wrote: »

I know what you mean about just using the road but in eventuality of an accident you know what absolutely everyone will say- 'why weren't you using the cycling path provided...'

To which the answer is "because it was full of pedestrians".

Chips Lovell

You're not obliged to use the cycle lane in the Phoenix Park.

petethedrummer

Mick5 wrote: »

Hey, took my first tumble today in phoenix park. And it was unsuprisingly related to the large numbers of people who insist on walking on the cycle path.

I suspect that somewhere in the world, there is a man sat at the side of the road, in a car with no petrol, smiling to himself.

CheGuedara

Mick5 wrote: »

I know what you mean about just using the road but in eventuality of an accident you know what absolutely everyone will say- 'why weren't you using the cycling path provided...'

Lumen wrote: »

To which the answer is "because it was full of pedestrians".

Other answers to try:

The was a woman walking her child on it
There was a car parked on it
There was a crater in it
There was broken glass in it
I prefer cycling on the footpad

Bunnyhopper

I've had a few close things in there myself. The OPW can't be bothered to enforce the cycle paths and the pedestrians just don't seem to grasp the significance of the bicycles painted on the path every hundred metres.

As el tonto says, you're not obliged to use those cycle paths so if they're covered in pedestrians I either don't use them, or I make like Lumen and Jawgap and zip past on a speedy cloud of healthy, anti-cancer (Lance would be so proud) moral rectitude.

leftism

Cycle paths around Dublin are a total joke! I've completely given up on them because i've had more near accidents and punctures than i care to remember. They were clearly designed and built by people who's last time on a bike was when they were 10 on their BMX.

I just use the road now... If i get squashed by an articulated lorry, then i guess it was meant to be!

Nietzschean

well i dunno half the time i don't blame the runners for using the cycle paths, they are normally pretty good at getting out of the way... and in the pheonix park the actual foot paths can go pretty far from the road and be unsafe at night/dark i suppose. Either way stick to the road where you can still have to dodge car doors and pedestrians/runners running across the road without looking from time to time....but at least you can do it with more speed...

(I actually find the runners more annoying here : http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=53.346862,-6.326237&daddr=&hl=en&geocode=&mra=mi&mrsp=0&sz=15&sll=53.346862,-6.326237&sspn=0.025209,0.066047&ie=UTF8&t=h&z=15 , where they tend to spread across the road around sharp enough bends...)

BostonB

Had a few near misses myself in the park but unless your flying its not usually a problem. In the winter its a different story especially on Afghan road where is pitch black but its a problem all over. Lots of joggers have no lights and are in dark clothes.

Jawgap

Mick5 wrote: »

I know what you mean about just using the road but in eventuality of an accident you know what absolutely everyone will say- 'why weren't you using the cycling path provided...'

to which I will reply - "Insurance details please?"

I think you're right, people will criticise if you get knocked off on a road not 3 metres away from one of the best cycle tracks in the city - but if you plough into a pedestrian, especially a child, I doubt they'll be saying to the child - "what were you doing on the cycle path?"

They're more likely to say to the cyclist - "why didn't you watch where you were going?"

Mick5

Jawgap wrote: »

to which I will reply - "Insurance details please?"

I think you're right, people will criticise if you get knocked off on a road not 3 metres away from one of the best cycle tracks in the city - but if you plough into a pedestrian, especially a child, I doubt they'll be saying to the child - "what were you doing on the cycle path?"

They're more likely to say to the cyclist - "why didn't you watch where you were going?"

Fair point... i'll stick to the road from now i reckon!

BostonB

The path in the park is ok for lesisure cycling, or a commute. But its not suitable for training, or a fast commute. Theres too much foot traffic on it, and theres too many gaps in that you don't get on the road.

I note this morning they've laid a concrete barrier across it at one point for the car racing. Can't see why they need to do that tbh.

Lumen

BostonB wrote: »

The path in the park is ok for lesisure cycling, or a commute. But its not suitable for training, or a fast commute. Theres too much foot traffic on it

You need to get up earlier.

BostonB wrote: »

I note this morning they've laid a concrete barrier across it at one point for the car racing. Can't see why they need to do that tbh.

For spectator safety. They're also tidier, more effective and more hypoallergenic than hay bales.

BostonB

Lumen wrote: »

You need to get up earlier.

While that is true it doesn't help on the way home

Lumen wrote: »

For spectator safety. They're also tidier, more effective and more hypoallergenic than hay bales.

I didn't why use concrete barriers. But why is one random barrier laid across the cycle path. I assume its the starting point, but can't understand why they blocked the cycle path.

Lumen

BostonB wrote: »

I didn't why use concrete barriers. But why is one random barrier laid across the cycle path. I assume its the starting point, but can't understand why they blocked the cycle path.

Ah, right. I guess we'll find out tomorrow - never been before, but must be quite a spectacle. Possibly more exciting than bicycle polo.

Chips Lovell

BostonB wrote: »

but can't understand why they blocked the cycle path.

To prevent cars taking short cuts by driving on the footpad?

BostonB

el tonto wrote: »

To prevent cars taking short cuts by driving on the footpad?

Well it blocks everyone. Not just cars. 1m over and it would have been fine. No biggie though.

BostonB

Lumen wrote: »

Ah, right. I guess we'll find out tomorrow - never been before, but must be quite a spectacle. Possibly more exciting than bicycle polo.

I think its great. Its the kind of event thats common in other countries. Love the smells and sounds you get. Pity its not a better circuit.

Lumen

BostonB wrote: »

I think its great. Its the kind of event thats common in other countries. Love the smells and sounds you get. Pity its not a better circuit.

So we've got Raam & Co. cycling the Nordschleife, and cars all over the footpads in the Park.

The world has gone mad!

Jawgap

BostonB wrote: »

Well it blocks everyone. Not just cars. 1m over and it would have been fine. No biggie though.

could you not bunnyhop it?:)