The Belfast Telegraph informs us that PSNI officers on bikes are to be deployed along the Lagan Towpath to tackle “cycle rage”.
Bobbies on bicycles will be a familiar sight on the Lagan towpath next week in a crackdown on aggressive behaviour towards walkers.
It follows a flurry of reports of inconsiderate behaviour from some cyclists towards pedestrians sharing the riverside trail.
The 11-mile towpath is Northern Ireland’s most popular public walkway, but a number of walkers have been upset by cyclists racing past without ringing warning bells and yelling at them to get out of the way, say staff from Lagan Valley Regional Park.
This isn’t a debate on who’s misbehaving the most on the towpath; there are undoubtedly examples on all sides. Not to mention the population of free roaming dogs, drinkers and kids on motorised quad-bikes and scooters that are arguably a better target for police resources.
No, it’s the article itself I take issue with. It’s sensationalist, misleading and short on detail. It’s a piece worthy of the Daily Mail.
Lagan Towpath
A “flurry” of “aggressive behaviour” and ”cycle rage” becomes “number of walkers have been upset” by “some cyclists” by the second paragraph. In fact, “cycle rage” appears only in the headline.
What have this unknown number of walkers been upset by? Is passing slow moving pedestrians “aggressive behaviour” now? I’d also like more detail on the “yelling” too. That’s a provocative word, and I’ll bet it’s more often a call out to make walkers aware of an approaching bicycle. So what’s it to be: pass in silence or call out?
By the end of the article the tone has changed further, when we see what the Lagan Valley Regional Park (LVRP) staff actually hope to achieve with the exercise.
“…police officers on bicycles will team up with staff from LVRP, Sustrans and other partner agencies to issue leaflets and advice to cyclists and walkers…”
“We simply want to encourage everyone using the towpath for leisure, whether for walking, running, exercising their dogs or cycling, to show courtesy to other users.”
So not really a “crackdown” on cyclists, but a positive and light-handed effort to help everyone just get along.
That’s better, isn’t it?
Do you ‘yell’ to warn pedestrains? What about a nice bell? Always think thats a nice way to be alerted to the fact that I’m about to be blinded by some awful Lycra.
If I’m bell-less I’ll generally draw up behind them and say – not yell – “‘scuse me please folks” or something similar. I’ve never had anyone take unkindly to that approach.
Your comparison between the Belfast Tele and the Daily Mail is painfully true. Regular “Scream Out Loud” headlines often bear little relation to the article content. It’s as though they have Stephen Nolan editing!
The only problems I’ve had cycling up the Towpath is with walkers and joggers wearing iPods who can’t hear the bell and are unaware they’re in the bike lane, they’re in that ‘zombie music zone’ and seem to take great offense when you try to pass them. Also if they took the time to understand the ‘stick to the left rule’ they really would have little to complain about.
Can I first congratulate the Dept of Culture Arts and Leisure for creating the wonderful Lagan Tow Path which I am a very regular use on my bike? I have use this great resource for 20+ years and have the highest regard for all users.
However the issue of regulation or guidance for users needs to be addressed.
Cyclists are informed to give way to pedestrians which I whole heartily agree with, but pedestrians are also requested to keep to the left and make way for others which unfortunately on many occasions they do not do.
Tonight I enjoyed a beautiful autumnal evening cycling, but on one of the widest parts just west of Shaw’s Bridge I came across two ladies walking their two dogs, I slowed down, rang my bell and was prepared to stop. The ladies and dogs all went in separate directions at which point I stopped. I was then informed by the ladies they had right of way. I explained I had rang my bell and that they should not be standing in the middle of the path to which they replied they had right of way, one of the dogs was deaf and that one of the ladies did not hear my bell ring. I explained that I was always going to stop if necessary, but that they needed to keep to the left and make way for others to which they seemed unaware.
I therefore feel very strongly that the Department responsible for the Tow Path needs to put up a charter/guidance for uses of the tow path that tells cyclists to be considerate of pedestrians (this is already in place) but that pedestrians also need to be considerate for cyclists as at present pedestrians seem unaware of the code keep left and make way for others.