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Do you run in cycle lanes?

Spirogyra

Hi I do so quite a bit. The road is less damaging to the bones than the path ? But how safe I feel varies quite a bit. Am I being foolish in doing it at all or is it established practice ? Thoughts appreciated ☺

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davedanon

I run on cyclepaths sometimes. these are the half-arsed suburban ones that consist of a strip of red tarmac laid over the existing path. It's a softer surface, and often in better condition than the pavement. However, if I've got the headphones on I stay out of them. The occasional bike does have a bell, after all. Also, I don't know if there is a traffic-flow direction with cycle-lanes. Are they supposed to go in the same direction as the road traffic? I honestly wouldn't have much faith in their adherence to the rule. Cyclists are like a lot of motorists, and walkers, and runners, and dog-walkers. Careless and inconsiderate. It's an unwelcome part of being Irish, imo. We have this reputation as a laid-back people with a relaxed approach to things, and maybe we do, but it also means we have this "ah sure, what of it, what does it matter?" attitude to a lot of things. This is why people A) park in disabled bays (ah sure I'm just using the cash machine/popping into the shop)

disregard nearly all 'minor' traffic rules (driving in cycle lanes/indicating/driving past the stop lines at traffic-lights C) cycle through lights and use pavements whenever we feel the need to do so D) walk/run in the wrong places without due consideration and often out of sheer ignorance (in the sense of not knowing the rules) E) Let our dogs run free even though we know they are likely to jump at somebody or obstruct them, or have them on 50 ft extendable leads even though there's runners and cyclists about. We are all being idiots and muppets towards each other in our own individual ways.

cjt156

davedanon wrote: »

I run on cyclepaths sometimes. these are the half-arsed suburban ones that consist of a strip of red tarmac laid over the existing path. It's a softer surface, and often in better condition than the pavement. However, if I've got the headphones on I stay out of them. The occasional bike does have a bell, after all. Also, I don't know if there is a traffic-flow direction with cycle-lanes. Are they supposed to go in the same direction as the road traffic? I honestly wouldn't have much faith in their adherence to the rule. Cyclists are like a lot of motorists, and walkers, and runners, and dog-walkers. Careless and inconsiderate. It's an unwelcome part of being Irish, imo. We have this reputation as a laid-back people with a relaxed approach to things, and maybe we do, but it also means we have this "ah sure, what of it, what does it matter?" attitude to a lot of things. This is why people A) park in disabled bays (ah sure I'm just using the cash machine/popping into the shop) disregard nearly all 'minor' traffic rules (driving in cycle lanes/indicating/driving past the stop lines at traffic-lights C) cycle through lights and use pavements whenever we feel the need to do so D) walk/run in the wrong places without due consideration and often out of sheer ignorance (in the sense of not knowing the rules) E) Let our dogs run free even though we know they are likely to jump at somebody or obstruct them, or have them on 50 ft extendable leads even though there's runners and cyclists about. We are all being idiots and muppets towards each other in our own individual ways.

Ehhh.....???

davedanon

Did you read the whole thing dispassionately, or just parse it for inconsistencies? Yes, and that sort of proves my point. I'm just like everyone else, up to a point. However, in my defence, I don't run in cycle lanes when wearing headphones, and tbh there's very few bikes on it anyway. If there were more I probably would stop using it. I should probably have stated originally that my belief is that, rather than trying to keep everyone apart and enforcing rules rigidly- A) our infrastructure is poor and unsuited and

rule-enforcement is another thing we do badly- all roads/path users should learn to co-exist and display a lot more tolerance towards others.

listermint

Im a driver, Cyclist, Motorcyclist and a runner.

I dont run in cycle lanes because i value my legs and the rest of my body.

People need to stop being so bloody ignorant and just start treating facilities and other road users with respect.

I suspect that if everyone had to sit mandatory driving tests, mandatory Motorcycle test and complete a month traversing to work on each mode of transport they would sort their attitudes out quick smart.

I include many people in this thread on that.

Walk a thousand miles in their shoes and all that.

Coffee Fulled Runner

As unsafe as it is to run in cycle lanes... I nearly got ran over twice today by assholes cycling on footpaths. One flying around a blind bend. It works both ways.

Utdfan20titles

I try to avoid cycleways. Too dangerous

ThisRegard

People keep saying things like it's too dangerous, it's not. As I said, context is everything. Take a look at this section of road around the business parks of Blanchardstown, you can see for miles and rarely used by cyclists. You do see a lot of cyclists out training in the area, but they all use the road. You'll get a few in the morning and evenings and that's about it.

To run on them it's far from dangerous, selfish, ignorant or disrespectful, or whatever else you're having.

https://goo.gl/maps/QKdDHYXTYrS2

Would I run in the ones in the Phoenix Park or along the canal, nope. Would I have a problem encountering anyone if I'm cycling in ones like those above, nope.

Edit: Just back from a lunchtime run around that general area, I came across 3 other runners and 2 cyclists. 2 runners were running on the cycle area, the first cyclist was on the footpath from the point I saw him. As we got closer I moved over but he stayed there so I popped back onto the cycle area. The 2nd cyclist was out for a spin and was using the road. So to be really extreme and silly about it I could have been in a serious collision with a cyclist had I ran on the footpath.

Spirogyra

Stayed off them today almost entirely. I did notice though how much gentler the red coating feels as opposed to the concrete path...

davedanon

I remember a Sunday morning long run out to Rathcoole a couple of years ago. We were just outside Newcastle, somewhere along the stretch with the roundabouts where the NRG play centre is. It wasn't even 9am, the roads were deserted. So four of us are running on the road by the kerb, when a cyclist appears and gives us lip for running on the road. I yelled at him to **** off as he receded into the distance. Anyway, we were doing a little loop around for some extra mileage, so were back on the same stretch again a little later - and here he comes again, the same cock, and he's on the path! I gave him some real stick this time.

Murph_D

davedanon wrote: »

I remember a Sunday morning long run out to Rathcoole a couple of years ago. We were just outside Newcastle, somewhere along the stretch with the roundabouts where the NRG play centre is. It wasn't even 9am, the roads were deserted. So four of us are running on the road by the kerb, when a cyclist appears and gives us lip for running on the road. I yelled at him to **** off as he receded into the distance. Anyway, we were doing a little loop around for some extra mileage, so were back on the same stretch again a little later - and here he comes again, the same cock, and he's on the path! I gave him some real stick this time.

Well of course he was, you drove him off the road.

I avoid concrete paths myself whenever possible, which sometimes means using the road or cycle path if it's free, within reason and hopefully applying common sense. Let's face it, in the city it's becoming very commonplace for cyclists to use footpaths, and a lot of motorists too seem to feel they have a right to drive and even park on footpaths, regardless of how much room there is to do that safely and courteously (if the paths were 20 feet wide I'd say good luck to them).

As long as this sort of thing isn't rigorously policed, you'll have people abusing the often imaginary boundaries. Seems to be the Irish way alright.

Duanington

Yep - run on them all the time, step off onto the grass\path for a bit as cranky cyclists whizz by.. then step back on and carry on

davedanon

Duanington wrote: »

Yep - run on them all the time, step off onto the grass\path for a bit as cranky cyclists whizz by.. then step back on and carry on

So how many would you say have a bell of some kind? Rough percentage.

Duanington

davedanon wrote: »

So how many would you say have a bell of some kind? Rough percentage.

Well they might all have bells but its a very small percentage that use them ! maybe less than 10% anyway, to be honest, I'd normally keep an eye out for them anyway where possible so I'd see them coming before its an issue and let them by

2RockMountain

Duanington wrote: »

Well they might all have bells but its a very small percentage that use them ! maybe less than 10% anyway, to be honest, I'd normally keep an eye out for them anyway where possible so I'd see them coming before its an issue and let them by

Do you have mirrors when you're running?

davedanon

2RockMountain wrote: »

Do you have mirrors when you're running?

I might be a machine*, but I'm not a vehicle. A bike is. Small but crucial difference there.

* that's a joke.

2RockMountain

davedanon wrote: »

I might be a machine*, but I'm not a vehicle. A bike is. Small but crucial difference there.

* that's a joke.

So how do you keep an eye out for cyclists coming behind you?

Clearlier

I have run on them a couple of times but only when there hasn't been a path and if possible in the opposite direction to the way that cyclists should be going on them. I do (along with other runners) run on a bridle path fairly regularly which is a little bit selfish as there's a cycle path/walkway adjacent. The bridle path is a much kinder surface to run on though and if I can I hop back onto the adjacent path if I see a horse coming which is rare enough (maybe once a week). The bridle path is narrow enough too that I run faster than the horses move so I've only had to actually pass a horse twice.

davedanon

2RockMountain wrote: »

So how do you keep an eye out for cyclists coming behind you?

How does a cyclist keep an eye out for cars coming behind him/her?

thesimpsons

davedanon wrote: »

How does a cyclist keep an eye out for cars coming behind him/her?

generally can hear a car from behind quite easily

davedanon

thesimpsons wrote: »

generally can hear a car from behind quite easily

It's common sense. Every vehicle should have a way of warning people of possible collision. Do cars get made without horns? Also, the onus should always be on the faster/bigger/less vulnerable vehicles.

listermint

davedanon wrote: »

It's common sense. Every vehicle should have a way of warning people of possible collision. Do cars get made without horns? Also, the onus should always be on the faster/bigger/less vulnerable vehicles.

Are tractors / cyclists allowed on the Motorway ?

No, because that section of pathway is reserved for vehicles of a minimum speed and power.

You are demonstrating ignorance and a i dont give a flying f attitude. But sure you prob dont need to be told that anyway because i somehow doubt it will stop you doing it.

Takes all sorts though i suppose.

davedanon

listermint wrote: »

Are tractors / cyclists allowed on the Motorway ?

No, because that section of pathway is reserved for vehicles of a minimum speed and power.

You are demonstrating ignorance and a i dont give a flying f attitude. But sure you prob dont need to be told that anyway because i somehow doubt it will stop you doing it.

Takes all sorts though i suppose.

Where have I done that, exactly? Can you point it out? And what do tractors have to do with it? Pedestrians and cyclists alike aren't allowed on the motorway, there's a minimum speed limit. What do motorways have to do with cycle-lanes?

Duanington

2RockMountain wrote: »

Do you have mirrors when you're running?

Nope -I have a neck that allows me to turn my head though though

I also tend to run towards oncoming bikes if I'm on the bike lane, easier to spot them and step off in time

simonw

If you run on cyclelanes, you can't really complain at cyclists on footpaths - not that you are driving them onto the path or something, but you are just as inconsiderate as they are.

2RockMountain

Duanington wrote: »

Nope -I have a neck that allows me to turn my head though though

And what % of your time to you keep your head turned to check what's coming behind you?

davedanon wrote: »

How does a cyclist keep an eye out for cars coming behind him/her?

A cyclist is supposed to be on the road. They don't need to move out of the way every time a car comes up behind them.

But generally, with engine or tyre noise, a cyclist will hear a car as it approaches.

Now enough with the diversion tactics, if you run on a cycle lane, how to do keep it clear for cyclists coming behind you?

Macy0161

I'm not sure it's clear cut that the pedestrian is the more vulnerable in a pedestrian/ cyclist collision to be honest.

I have a bell on my bike for what it's worth, but it's a total red herring in this debate and not much use anyway with the amount of pedestrians/ runners and in some cases cyclists with head phones in/on.

Whatever about the rights and wrongs, if someone feels the need to run in a cycle lane, it makes sense to face on coming "traffic" same as if you were running on a road without pavements. It's just bloody logical!

El Caballo

How did I know this was going to develop into an anti-cyclist rant thread. The simple matter of it all is that if pedestrians weren't in the cycle lanes which they aren't supposed to be, there would be no problem. Everyone can justify it anyway you like but it's as simple as that.

Krusty_Clown

Around where I work, the cyclists tend to use the concrete pavement instead of the cycle lane. Can never really figure out why, but I guess it's down to the lower levels of friction/faster speed. Doesn't bother me anyway. I just move into the cycle lane to accommodate them. We all get along just fine.

walshb

Are you clowns still running in the cycling lanes?

ThisRegard

Every day.