COVID-19 Musings - Exercise - Walking on Shared Paths

During the State of Emergency in Victoria one of the reasons that people could leave their homes was for exercise. Many people exercise when they walk their dogs and some energetic people go for a jog or a run. Walking around the block or in nearby parks has been a good way to exercise, especially for those of us who are older. Most people have been good at maintaining the required social / physical distancing. However the challenge when going for a walk has been encountering cyclists using the same path.

Most of the walking paths are paths shared with cyclists.

The expected etiquette on a shared path is that pedestrians and cyclists acknowledge that both groups have a right to use the path and should respect that right. Pedestrians should and usually do keep to the left of the path while signs on the side of the path, or on the path itself, remind cyclists that the path is a shared path.

Signs also remind cyclists that they should alert pedestrians that they are overtaking either by ringing a bell or calling out the intention to pass. Some do but many cyclists don't.

The RACV has information and a short video about pedestrians and cyclists using shared paths. Cyclists are also meant to slow done and if necessary even stop if it is not safe to pass a pedestrian or if there is a cyclist coming from the other direction when they want to pass a pedestrian.

Children under 13 are also allowed to ride on footpaths in Victoria. VicRoads has information about cycling on footpaths.

With the outbreak of COVID-19 in Victoria cycling has increased in popularity. As well as regular cyclists (usually wearing lycra and sometimes referred to as MAMILs), the shared paths are enjoyed by people, old and young, who have not ridden a bicycle for many years, if at all. Many cyclists using shared paths seem to think that they are cycling at a velodrome or competing in the Tour de France. The general assumption appears to be that everyone should immediately get out of their way - the track belongs only to them.

RACV - Victorian rules for cyclists

There have been occasions when cyclists have expressed displeasure when I have not stepped off a path into mud on the side of the path so they can pass without slowing down. One cyclist complained when he had to stop and wait because pedestrians and another cyclist coming from the opposite direction passed us at the same time that he wanted to pass us. We were walking in single file.

It has also been interesting to view the different types of bikes on the shared paths. Apart from conventional bicycles we have seen tandems, recumbent bikes and electric bikes not to mention people on skateboards, including electric skateboards, plus children (and sometimes adults) on scooters.

At both ends of the long boardwalk near Koomba Park there are warning signs for all users. Confirmation that cyclists cannot / don't read signs was confirmed the first time we walked along the boardwalk.

During the walk one cyclist was seen wheeling her bike along the boardwalk. When we thanked her for observing the sign she said that she had been wondering if she had made a mistake as all the other cyclists wizzed past. A short time after I took the above photo I watched a cyclist speed up as he passed the sign to ride along the boardwalk. As the boardwalk is a raised platform there is nowhere for a pedestrian to move to get out of the path of a speeding cyclist. I suspect that the boardwalk could also be dangerous if a cyclist lost control of their bike.

It is great to have so many shared paths in Knox where we can enjoy going for a walk. The shared paths should be a place for anyone to enjoy being out of the house for a while and exercising.

However I can well understand why some people, particularly older people, are reluctant to enjoy a walk as it may be dangerous due to the attitude and behaviour of some cyclists. We avoid some paths at weekends because it is too dangerous with so many cylists using the path as a place to ride as fast as possible.

See also other posts related to this topic:

COVID-19 Musings - Exercise
COVID-19 Musings - Exercise - Dandenong Creek (1)
COVID-19 Musings - Exercise - Dandenong Creek (2)
COVID-19 Musings - Exercise - Dandenong Creek (3)

COVID-19 Musings - Exercise - Dandenong Creek (4)

COVID-19 Musings - Exercise - Dandenong Creek (5)

COVID-19 Musings - Exercise - Dandenong Creek (6)

See also all posts relating to COVID-19