I copied an old email from Arthur below, and although the links in it still appear to work, the website has been updated so that this is a better link to the city page describing the expectation on city bike paths: http://www.cityofmadison.com/BikeMadison/getBiking/BikePathEtiquette.cfm
Share the Path There are over 35 miles of bicycle paths in Madison. These paths are used by a variety of users, including bicycle commuters, recreational bicyclists, families, pedestrians and skaters. By following a few basic rules, these paths can be shared safely by all users. * All users should keep to the right side of the path. * When traveling side-by-side, stay on the right half of the path. * Faster users should yield to slower users. * Always travel at a safe speed, with due regard for others. Faster users may want to consider alternate routes to ensure the safety of all users. * Pass others on the left. Slow down, give an audible warning such as ringing a bell or calling out "excuse me, passing left", and wait for a reaction before passing. * Move off the pathway when stopping. * Be careful when crossing streets and driveways. Watch for traffic and make sure other drivers are aware of the path and your presence. These expectations are consistent with the DNR's expectations for use of trails: http://dnr.wi.gov/files/PDF/pubs/pr/PR0472.pdf These expectations are also consistent with the signs (Keep right except to pass) and expectations of users of the Lakeshore Path on campus. I think it makes a lot more sense for peds to walk on the right, and for faster users to yield and pass on the left, for all the reasons already described on this thread. I could and would deal with pedestrians walking on the left if that was the general expectation, and what all of them did. But when some pedestrians insist on walking on the left, and others follow what is generally expected of the governing bodies maintaining the facilities by walking on the right, then you often end up with peds walking on the left AND the right in the same direction. And that's just as rude, imo, as cyclists riding two or three abreast on the path and failing to yield to other users. Frankly, I think peds walking on the left of a multi-use path because they feel more comfortable that way cause as much trouble as cyclists riding against traffic in the street because they feel more comfortable that way, and I am astounded that peds who are also competent bicyclists don't get that. Chuck Strawser Pedestrian & Bicycle Transportation Planner Commuter Solutions Transportation Services UW-Madison Room 124 WARF 610 Walnut St Madison WI 53726 608-263-2969 www.wisc.edu/trans From: Ross, Arthur [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Monday, August 17, 2009 11:56 AM To: STRAWSER, Charles Cc: [email protected] Subject: RE: rules for path users Chuck, The language on the back of the city bike map is better that the abbreviated version on the signs. This is on the webpage, see the Bicycle Safety page on TE's website, under the Bicycling & Walking tab http://www.cityofmadison.com/trafficEngineering/bicyclingSafety.cfm Then click on Bicycling in Maadison - Tips For A Safer Ride http://www.cityofmadison.com/trafficEngineering/documents/SafeBikeTips.pdf At the bottom is the following Share the Path There are over 35 miles of bicycle paths in Madison. These paths are used by a variety of users, including bicycle commuters, recreational bicyclists, families, pedestrians and skaters. By following a few basic rules, these paths can be shared safely by all users. * All users should keep to the right side of the path. * When traveling side-by-side, stay on the right half of the path. * Faster users should yield to slower users. * Always travel at a safe speed, with due regard for others. Faster users may want to consider alternate routes to ensure the safety of all users. * Pass others on the left. Slow down, give an audible warning such as ringing a bell or calling out "excuse me, passing left", and wait for a reaction before passing. * Move off the pathway when stopping. * Be careful when crossing streets and driveways. Watch for traffic and make sure other drivers are aware of the path and your presence. Let me know if you need more detailed information. Arthur Arthur Ross, Pedestrian-Bicycle Coordinator City of Madison Traffic Engineering Division 215 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., Suite 100 PO Box 2986 Madison, WI 53701-2986 608/266-6225 -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of [email protected] Sent: Friday, November 23, 2012 9:52 AM To: Mark Shahan Cc: bikies Subject: Re: [Bikies] Courtesy or Nuisance? Quoting Mark Shahan <[email protected]>: > Bob, > > The problem is most people don't know that when they walk against > traffic on the left, they are suppose to move off the path when > on-coming traffic approaches. That would be the preferred option. Or maybe you'll move to the other side of the path (and possibly into the path of someone coming from the other direction). Or maybe you expect the oncoming bike to pass in the other lane. Really, I have no idea what you (the pedestrian) is planning to do. Unpredictable behavior increases risk. I don't know why Bob feels safer walking against traffic. If I'm stupid enough to crash into him from behind I could can just as easily crash into him head-on. _______________________________________________ Bikies mailing list [email protected] http://lists.danenet.org/listinfo.cgi/bikies-danenet.org _______________________________________________ Bikies mailing list [email protected] http://lists.danenet.org/listinfo.cgi/bikies-danenet.org
