[Closed] Walkers on footpaths

What hacks me off are dogwalkers treating the TPT like a park. It's primarily a ****ing path for local people to get from A to B!

Thank god I don't have to ride in the SE, it's bad enough with the amount of entitled dog walkers there are here, add in families taking up the whole width of the trail, bikers behaving like loons, and dog shite everywhere.

Everyone needs to wake up a bit tbh.

Don’t like walkers on your footpath riding route? Ride at night.

This - loops of Richmond Park trail are a lot more pleasant when it's empty, even if it's a bit sleety / generally damp.

Saw two other people on Friday evening. Looked like ultra runners.

There were a number of frustrated riders bombing down trails shouting and gesturing to walkers to get out the way.

Tossers is a more apt descriptor.

there's conflict bloomin everywhere at the moment. Conversely to the posts above i've lost my rag a couple of time recently for "not having a bell" and saying good morning/afternoon, Hello, could i pass please.... ON DESIGNATED CYCLE ROUTES. it seems to be 70+ women walking 3 abreast disgusted at people below 70 for daring to enjoy the outdoors and asking to pass.. i've now taken the view that being mild mannered with these people is pointless and will now resort to beaving light a yobbo that they expect. Conversely to this, horse riders lately seem to be really nice!

If only more Walkers and Bikers could just stick to rule #1

I find no reason to get mad at small kids or horses. I'm totally prepared to even stop for them. It's the entitled dog owners that most pisses me off. Some actually act like the trail is the own personal park and everyone else should adapt to their out of control dog, for example.

Then, as you say, there are people on bikes with no business who are actually dangerous. I can be far to the left on part of the TPT 5 m wide and they insist on being 3-abreast coming towards me. Then there are cyclists who insist on passing on their right like they are tunnel-visioned. Like I said, no business being on a bike. Dangerous.

Also, I'm seeing more and more runners and even walker listening to music with earphones. They can't even hear a bell or a shout.

/end rant.

Trails are very busy round here. I see very little conflict though, just riders accepting they can't go as fast as they'd like and walkers accepting they need to keep Fido on a close lead and sometimes step off the path to let others through.

Though I will say that the rougher and more intimidating the walker, the more likely you are to get a cheery "Morning, you alright pal, no worries mate" when you greet or thank them.

it seems to be 70+ women walking 3 abreast disgusted at people below 70 for daring to enjoy the outdoors and asking to pass.

That's a big problem on the TPT and Bridgewater canal. Generally, the ramblers are retired folks and seem to be looking to find fault with cyclists. My parents included lol. Personally, I don't find it reasonable for pedestrians to walk two or three abreast on what, as you say, are known cycle routes, especially the very narrow canal towpath. There are plenty of paths where cyclists aren't allowed. However, I've also been told that it isn't reasonable for pedestrians to have to behave like traffic. Presumably, pedestrians would be within their rights to just stop for a picnic in the middle of the path!

Yeah lots of contention around here. Don't get people who run/walk on mixed use trails whilst using headphones. Quite often I'll come up behind them ding my bell, shout politely and they still don't hear me. Quite funny when I cycle past them and they jump out their skin as they didn't know I was there.

Personally, I don’t find it reasonable for pedestrians to walk two or three abreast

Bloody walkers, walking two abreast. And they don't pay road tax and they jump red lights as well.

Are 3 people allowed to walk together?

Funny times. We've got a couple of dedicated mountain bike trails that have been a godsend for lockdown but there have been quite a few walkers on them. Its a tempting to get (very mildly) annoyed as they can walk anywhere and I can only ride there but they cross a lot of other paths and it isn't very clearly signed* so its just a case of riding a bit slower if you can't see very far ahead. TBH it's nice to see more people out. Most people are cheery IME.

* a couple of them have a "warning, cycle route ahead" triangle which I have seen one irate walker confuse with a no cycling sign.

What is TPT?

Here's a wee question. There's a shared path locally (folk refer to it as the cycle path, but it's most definitely shared), it's tarmac and about 2.5m wide. When cycling, I always stick to the left, but there are walkers and runners who insist on going to the right. It's not an issue, I'll happily just slow down if there's another cyclist coming for instance, but it winds the wife up no end 🙂

I tend to think some folk do it, as they equate this path to a road really, and they'd walk onto the oncoming traffic, and can see their point.

It'd be far better if everyone did one or t'other tbh.

ON DESIGNATED CYCLE ROUTES.

Depends on what you mean by a “designated cycle route”. I regularly ride on sections of both Sustrans 70 and Sustrans 14 (c2c) and both are mixed use on the sections that are near my house: rule 1 applies to all. Our biggest issues are with motorbikes, not walkers.

I've had to stop riding the local trails on the weekends as they are completely full of idiots of all users groups. The last time I was out on a Sunday I had a chat with a horse rider while waiting for a narrow section to clear of dog walkers who were oblivious to everyone waiting to get through and we both came to the same conclusion: avoid the weekends! I've seen bikers treating it like a DH run, dog walkers with wild dogs off the lead or even worse on a stretchy lead across the trail at head height (why is the cord always black!?), runners with headphones in, horse riders with easily spooked horses on the busiest trail at the busiest time and even a fight between some OAP's over who had right of way!

I suppose it's the price of having the whole country suddenly realise the Great Outdoors exists. The sooner I can escape to the empty bits they don't know about again the better.

Its a tempting to get (very mildly) annoyed

most of my normal riding group are generally very chilled out with this stuff, we understand most of what we enjoy is technically off-limits, so when we do see peeps on dedicated tracks, we slow/stop and very politley explain that they may encounter bikes at speed as they wouldn't be expected on the trail.

back to my gripe of theold moaners- i'd never say they are not entitled to be there, on the contrary they still have right of way i understand, its; the pur bloody ignorance of being old and thinking you know it all, and not accepting that there are and will continue to more diverse user groups than you and you crochet group..

What is TPT

Trans Pennine Trail.

Linky

What is TPT?

It's what passes for local mountain biking if you live in the godforsaken south western suburbs of Manchester.

The last time I was out on a Sunday I had a chat with a horse rider while waiting for a narrow section to clear of dog walkers who were oblivious to everyone waiting to get through and we both came to the same conclusion:

Yeah, weekends have made the TPT unusable for me for that reason.

Even weekdays is bad enough, like a normal weekend.

Are 3 people allowed to walk together?

If they're from the same household.

I must have had enough one day when a woman dog walking quite curtly said "mind my dog" when it was running all over the (dedicated mtb) trail off its lead, to which I replied "it's your f****** dog, YOU mind it"
I did feel a bit bad, but I wasn't planning to tailwhip its head off. I tend to ride past peds slowly nowadays if there's enough room without a warning, because inevitably they'll fill the remaining space because no one can walk in a straight line whilst looking behind themselves.

Personally, I don’t find it reasonable for pedestrians to walk two or three abreast

two or three is okay, but when it's like, six abreast, and it's a a pretty high traffic route, and they have *zero* awareness of anything outside of their group, *and* they're incredibly grumpy when you enquire if they wouldn't mind if you could possibly squeeze past...

i was shouted at by someone yesterday... 'oi mind the dog you effing dick' i thought i gave them plenty of time and space, i held back off the pace till i saw a chance to overtake then went for it, giving them a wide berth.

i dont like this conflict, its very rarely happened to me. i walk my dogs and kids up this trail quite often too so can understand where they might have been coming from, but no need for the aggression. ive been using this trail twice a week or so for 20 years without incident. these lot come out for their once a year ramble and start throwing their weight around.

cant wait for the Trafford Centre to reopen!

It's the ones with are completely unaware of whats going on around them, that annoy me the most. Even if it is your right of way it doesn't mean you no longer have to take care of your own welfare, it doesn't mean everyone else is going to do it for you. It's invariably the same ones that go mental at you when you finally creep past, for not having a bell, when you 've been behind them for five minutes saying excuse me at an increasing volume, until you finally give up and just go round them.

The guidance that walkers have priority should be ****ed right off. Some use it as an excuse to be awkward arseholes. Should be replaced with something like "share paths responsibly with other users and be prepared to give way way when appropriate"

But I do think with the populist politicians pitting groups against each other on top of covid restrictions has definitely made things much worse of late, there are a lot of short fuses out there.

Yeah, everywhere is seriously busy...loads more walkers, riders, horses, families, runners, couples, singles. All seem to be trying to use the same bits of land and then all getting a touch grumpy when 'their' peace is broken.

Great to see so many folk out using the local stuff, but equally sad to see the state the trails are being left in - just the impact of an increase in traffic and wet weather, it will recover slightly but not completely and it'll start all over again...such is the way of things.

This thread highlights that horse riders, walkers and cyclists can all act like dicks at times. There are a few on this thread too.

Most of my riding is at night now, on canal paths, lanes and sturdy tracks. can't quite manage to put myself in the crowds wandering the WHW or Mugdock. The singletrack is OK, but until very recently it was mush and the idea of my tyres contributing to further damage doesn't sit well.

I do get irritated when trying to appropriately distance myself from others and are met on a wide ish path by a few other users who split either side of the track, effectively halving the available distancing.

most of the time, and maybe it's because I grew up in Malvern, an area notoriously busy, I ride like I'm expecting someone to be meditating or doing yoga round the next blind corner...so crowds don't bother me that much, as long as I have enough space away from them.

This – loops of Richmond Park trail are a lot more pleasant when it’s empty, even if it’s a bit sleety / generally damp.

This. Only ride there in the evenings, even Summertime evenings, its amazing how quiet the park becomes. Same goes for the surrounding area's.

I think the key is to have awareness, whether you're on foot, bike or horse.
What causes most issue is people not looking out for or expecting other trail users, you can walk 6 across for all I care, as long as you move over when you see someone coming towards you or hear them approaching from behind. The former is normally OK, but people don't seem to listen out for people behind them.
Saying that, the faster moving party should be prepared to slow and give way, now is not the time to be "bombing down the trals" as you know they'll be busy. Even when I'm running I hold back a little as I like to know I can stop quickly.

south western suburbs of Manchester.

I think I can see the problem there, too close to Cheshire and all that entails!

Don’t like walkers on your footpath riding route? Ride at night.

This- 100%. The woods within riding distance from my front door are busy with users of all shapes and sizes during daylight hours, even more so in the current climate. I only ever ride / run in them very early in the morning in order to avoid confrontation / frustration.

This thread highlights that horse riders, walkers and cyclists can all act like dicks at times. There are a few on this thread too.

Yeah I tried repeatedly to make that observation on the recent thread about Anti-Cyclist sentiment among some other road users – no single group of people are innocent of Dick Behaviour.

Personally, I don’t find it reasonable for pedestrians to walk two or three abreast

Years ago I was blasting down Mastiles Lane in the Yorkshire Dales as a group of walkers were heading up – they deliberately spread right across the lane (which is bordered with dry stone walls so I had nowhere to go) to make me come to a complete halt then had a go at me for riding there (it was a green lane open to motorised vehicles at the time).

I just ride around walking pace whenever I meet folk, gives you chance for a chat and a hello and you part in good terms. If you have to slow down on a nice downhill to do it so what? The descent will still be there next time.

That’s a big problem on the TPT and Bridgewater canal... ...known cycle routes, especially the very narrow canal towpath. There are plenty of paths where cyclists aren’t allowed.

Actually, technically, you're not supposed to cycle on the narrow towpaths on the Bridgewater Canal. I'm not saying you're wrong to do so, and everybody does but if you look at http://www.bridgewatercanal.co.uk/todo/cycling it says:

Please note cycling is only permitted on certain lengths of the Canal towpath which have been updated as part of the Bridgewater Way

and on their map, the bit of canal I'm familiar with (Altrincham to Warrington) is shown as not updated.

they deliberately spread right across the lane (which is bordered with dry stone walls so I had nowhere to go)

How many were there? Mastiles is one of the widest tracks in the Dales!

Hope you 'offered them some words of advice'...

How many were there? Mastiles is one of the widest tracks in the Dales!

It was a big group of about 6 to 8 - certainly too many of them to try to pass between them at any kind of speed. It was most annoying as it's a slog of a ride (the anti-clockwise one starting from Kilnsey) for what is basically one descent at the end.

and on their map, the bit of canal I’m familiar with (Altrincham to Warrington) is shown as not updated.

I'm referring to Altrincham to Manchester.

Groups of 3-10 Mx/ quad riders hooning round open moorland and footpaths us where it's at. Soft bit, then spin your rear wheel, nice bit of moorland ride round and round in circles. Erosion, make it bigger!

Kill them with kindness. I make an extra effort to be nice and speak to all the walkers and horse riders especially if they are looking at me in a vaguely grumpy way 🙂 I also tend to stop and give way to other users, the drawback to this is that you end up chatting to lots of people and your ride takes a lot longer than planned. We’ve had some conflict around here but everyone has been really pleasant to chat to recently (on footpaths and bridleways), although I’m sure there will be some grumpers around. The grumpier and more unpleasant a person is, just be nice and smile a lot.

The only proper dick I’ve heard of near here recently is a mountain biker who jumped into a steep chute (footpath), continued to go as fast as he could and almost ran my wife over whilst shouting at her to get out of the way. She had to jump into a bush to avoid him (I didn’t laugh when she told me, how good am I?!?). Chatting to some horse riders just after that, he was a complete **** to them too, dropping onto a path immediately in front of them, scaring the the horses then told them to **** off. I wouldn’t be nice to him, I’d make him ride a 1970s folding bike with a basket for the rest of his mtb career.

Getting a lot of conflict at my local trail center, best one was when a couple of walkers were surprised when we asked them not to walk down a dedicated bike trail. When did it get changed from a footpath they asked, it's never been a footpath we replied. Oh yes it used to be before all the bikes. Oh no it didn't, how do you know, because I was the first person to put a spade in the ground to build the trail so I've got a pretty good idea of what was there before, nothing.

Richmond Park

Thought they locked it at night? Did when I lived next to it in the early noughties.

Getting a lot of conflict at my local trail center, best one was when a couple of walkers were surprised when we asked them not to walk down a dedicated bike trail.

Walking Hully Gully really can't be any fun for even the most diehard redsock.

Why do some of you use the term redsock?

It's not even funny or accurate. I barely remember the days of people out walking the hills in breeches and red socks and I'm very close to 50

🤦

Why do some of you use the term redsock?

It’s not even funny or accurate. I barely remember the days of people out walking the hills in breeches and red socks and I’m very close to 50

🤦

Its definitely still a thing (occasionally).

Pre-covid I've seen it, usually as part of the "official"/organised rambling groups. Bright red socks needlessly tucking trousers in. Not necessarily any more moany than non red sock wearers, but always in the old person walking slowly with hiking poles demographic.

All far too young for the Kinder trespass, so they are doing it for the looks.
But as mountain bikers I think we are in very glass houses when it comes to this...

Bright red socks needlessly tucking trousers in. Not necessarily any more moany than non red sock wearers, but always in the old person walking slowly with hiking poles demographic.

Tucked in to avoid wet trouser bottoms, and ticks. Hiking poles are just sensible, whatever your age. Dunno if I've ever seen red socks though!.

Honestly I just try and go with the flow. Bits of my local loop were mobbed on Saturday, but it was totally expected so there was no point getting worked up about. I use a bell, say hello and thank you. Slow down as needed, pat dogs, smile at children and try to get off the busy bits.

It is a bit annoying getting the occasional tut or dirty look when you are on an actual cycle path (with a numbered sign and everything!) but overall most people are spot on, just out for a bit of fresh air on two legs rather than two wheels.

Its not all bad I got a cheer from a bunch of strangers when I made it up a really steep bit of the path!

Tucked in to avoid wet trouser bottoms, and ticks.

Tucking has its uses, but on a bone dry day on rocky vegetation free paths, I feel the main purpose was to proudly display their brightly coloured underwear.

Although there may be legions of black sock wearing trouser tuckers that I just dont notice.

The quicker Rule 1 is enshrined in statute the better

Pretty busy up my local hill yesterday, everyone very friendly and thoughtful.

Even some of the e-bikers.

What hacks me off are dogwalkers treating the TPT like a park. It’s primarily a **** path for local people to get from A to B!

I hate to break it to you but the TPT is "A national coast to coast route for recreation and transport – for walkers, cyclists and (in parts) horse riders".

Thought they locked it at night? Did when I lived next to it in the early noughties.

Pedestrian gates are open 24/7 unless the cull is on.

I hate to break it to you but the TPT is “A national coast to coast route for recreation and transport – for walkers, cyclists and (in parts) horse riders”.

That's my point: it's not a park for dogs! 😀

Feels like the contents of this thread make a weekly appearance!
As others have said, be polite, stop and chat to people and life is so much better and happier

Is there a thread on walkingtrack.com right now hating on cyclists?!

Tucking has its uses, but on a bone dry day on rocky vegetation free paths, I feel the main purpose was to proudly display their brightly coloured underwear.

Although there may be legions of black sock wearing trouser tuckers that I just dont notice.

Possibly just habit due to the scarcity of bone dry days and rocky paths in the UK! 😂

Most of the trails are not footpaths at all. They are re-purposed deer or other animal tracks.

black sock wearing trouser tuckers

I think they can be legitimately discriminated against, they can be very unpleasant tuckers at times

😜

I recently bought a timber bell from stw. It's amazing how everyone loves it and says so.

IIRC the much vaunted Scottish right to roam has this in the guidance - walkers have right of way

Its also included in the hierarchy of presumed liability in most of europe - again IIRC

I was out of the door at dusk last night. Got back before dawn this morning. Didn't see a soul. Collected a lot of plastic bottles for the recycling bin on the final leg home, mind.
[img] [/img]

couple of time recently for “not having a bell” and saying good morning/afternoon, Hello, could i pass please…. ON DESIGNATED CYCLE ROUTES.

When I used to regularly ride the local Sustrans and cycle paths I’d get moaned at for using a bell, and for not using a bell, both because it’s rude! I got yelled at because I had to stop suddenly when some blokes dog went right in front of my front wheel, and he accused me of speeding - I’d been following him and his family dawdling along for nearly five minutes, trying to get past, unable to because of the sheer number of people going in both directions.

Life's too short. I've just gone nocturnal for the duration. Never see anybody.

Bit of a story - my mother in law loves a nice walk as does my wife. She like a casual walk, chatting and looking at sights etc. She used to do maybe 5-8 miles no problem. So when she moved to Taunton to live with my brother in law she decided to join a local walking club (it might have been ramblers club). She only went a couple of time as it was so miserable. No one wanted or tried to talk to her after they set off, they never stopped to look at the view or wildlife or anything. It’s was almost like she wasn’t wanted and they were going on walks because they were forced to, not cos they wanted to. My mother in law is lovely and will try to get on with anyone she meets too.

Apparantely this is quite common with those sorts of groups and may explain some of the reactions we get when riding from some walkers. I’m not really sure why they go walking when they don’t appear to get any pleasure from it, its very odd. So maybe they are jealous of younger people in general, or just want to find problems with what anyone is doing if it isn’t EXACTLY what they are doing. Who knows? It is very odd though.

So kind of like some groups of roadies refusing to acknowledge other cyclists or look like they are enjoying it in any way?

Aye, spot on, your mother in law met some weirdos in somerset, ergo, all ramblers are ****s.

Next! 🤣

I have never been told off for using a bell on shared paths. The secret is to use it when a good distance behind and follow it up with a cheery thanks when they move over. It really does make life much easier!

This is why I've gave up on the bike now until this lockdown lifts. My local at cathkin braes is just full of walkers walking up and down the MARKED mtb trails. Can't get any speed up and when you do encounter a walker, 9 times out of 10 they're full of themselves and self-righteous and think that mtb trail was made specifically for them to walk down and no-one else is allowed on it and lecture you on it. I've tried to be courteous as I know these are trying times, but had enough with their behaviour.

They've often got young kids walking with them as well going up one of the marked descent trails. They're either stupid or mad.

Walking Hully Gully really can’t be any fun for even the most diehard redsock.

😄

Footpaths and towpaths rammed round here at the moment, can be frustrating but its a shared space so fair enough. I just avoid the busy areas at peak times. Only encountered mild grumpyness most are sound, then again I use a bell/slow down/Say Hi ect

Also, its good to see more people out enjoying the outdoors TBH (As long as they look after it obvs)

I have never been told off for using a bell on shared paths. The secret is to use it when a good distance behind and follow it up with a cheery thanks when they move over. It really does make life much easier!

I get whined at if I use one and if I don’t. Never in a rush so happy to just sit and cruise behind people until it is safe to pass. Stopped using a bell due to the ratio of bell/no bell complaints locally. A cheery hello, morning, evening etc works best in my experience.

There are always going to be a couple of miserable bastards that hate life and just want to moan. They will do this simply because you exist and are in their immediate vicinity. They’d complain if you used a bell, didn’t use a bell or breathed in their presence. Dicks gonna be dicks

Less of a problem during lockdown but can I add a subset of walkers, The Nordic Walking Groups. We get them down here in Bristol. Generally older ladies clattering and banging along with their poles. Chatting and oblivious to any other users. Once came round a bend to be confronted by a group of about 20, first one screamed “BIKE!”, followed by each one to repeat the same scream. Wasn’t very friendly.

I got so fed up last spring with the hoardes of sour-faced walkers telling me or I had no right to ride on a bridleway, threatening me because they hate all cyclists (though they admitted I hadn’t actually done anything wrong), or giving me prune-faced looks in return for me slowing down, making room for them and saying hi.
I gave up riding during the day and confined myself to riding at dawn and dusk instead- also means I get to see things like hares and deer, which the masses and their dogs frighten off.

I’m not sure things will ever be the same again in the outdoors

I’m not sure things will ever be the same again in the outdoors

It will be. We're a nation of fat, lazy, TV binge watchers who think traipsing around town on a Saturday is exercise.

My hope is that we see more people out there exercising from different backgrounds etc. Don't forget that it's never that busy once you're 30mins from the car park anyway. We'll be okay

similar to the above I had a freaky experience on the road after Oven Bottom in Macc Forest. Riding up the hill back towards the forest, minding my own business and staring at some lambs in the valley to the left. Look up to see a kid of about 12 in one of those old fashioned cagoules. The sort that can be folded up on themselves and turned in to a useless rectangle. The ones your mum used to make you wear in the 1980’s.

He points at me, takes out a whistle on a chain from around his neck and starts to blow it for all he’s worth. I found this amusing. I then hit the rise at the top of the little hill and see the rest of them! Four more, two adults and a “”two younger children. All in the same cagoule, the same colour and model of cagoule. They all pull out whistles, point at me and start blowing like they’re taking part in the international blowing things up challenge and if they don’t win they’ll die.

Really ****ing weird and unsettling, yet highly amusing at the same time. Some sort of whistle/cagoule cult that ward off mountain bikers by pointing and blowing whistles at them at an obscene volume for a ridiculous length of time. Any dogs within a 15 mile radius are probably still suffering from tinnitus now and this happened about eight years ago.

One benefit of more people using the outdoors might be that we get more trails due to the popularity. But I doubt that will be the case once all the usual places open up again (malls, football, pubs, restaurants, cinemas etc) and people go back to their old ways.

My hope is that we see more people out there exercising from different backgrounds etc. Don’t forget that it’s never that busy once you’re 30mins from the car park anyway. We’ll be okay

I think it’s great to see more people getting off their backsides and exercising in the outdoors (as long as they show some respect and don’t trash the place).

I’m off my bike recovering from a shoulder injury so I’m doing a lot more walking at the moment. I’ve found that I only need to walk about a mile out of the village to find empty footpaths away from the masses 😁

It never ceases to amaze me how much space people will take up. Two people and a trolley can entirely block off a three+ metre isle in a supermarket, let alone across a path.

I was out of the door at dusk last night. Got back before dawn this morning. Didn’t see a soul. Collected a lot of plastic bottles for the recycling bin on the final leg home, mind.

This deserves more love, that's an amazing photo.