----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Adrian Stott" <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, July 31, 2009 5:17 PM
Subject: [canals-list] Re: Cycling on towpaths


> [email protected] wrote:
>
>>http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/ethicallivingblog/2009/jul/31/bike-blog-canal

Where did bjg write that - was it on a newsgroup or on here? I can't see the
original message you are quoting from.

>
> May I again suggest a proposed traffic rule for towpaths?  It is:
>
> "Bicyclists keep to the non-water side of pedestrians  they pass or
> overtake".
>
> The key pedestrian activities on a towath is all on the water side.
> Mooring, getting on and off boats, towing, angling.  The only one that
> isn't is walking unrelated to the waterway (except to look at it).

And isn't cycling in the same category as "walking unrelated......." ?

>
> OTOH, bicyclists definitely prefer to keep away from the water, in
> case they lose control and fall in.

That seems to me a good reason for cyclists to use the water side -
it might make them slow down a bit!

> At the moment there is no rule for which side of a pedestrian a
> bicyclist should pass.  As a result, there is frequently confusion,
> which can be quite dangerous.  And, when a bicycle is overtaking a
> pedestrian, it's not uncommon for the pedestrian to wander into his
> way.

There would be no problem if the cyclist stopped and gave priority
to all other towpath users - and used a bell.

>
> The rule would solve most of this.

Who is going to pay for all the signage and enfore the rules?

> Of course, bicyclists would still keep left when passing each other,
> and overtake other bicyclists on the right.

ROFL. Do you really expect cyclists to take any notice of that?
I think one of your market clearing rate solutions night work better ;-)))

How much per mile should they pay?

Phil


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