The Knaphillian

Has a new bye-law been passed by WBC that allows cyclists to ride on the pavement? .....Tthis gets particularly annoying when they even have the audacity to ring their bell at YOU if you don't get out of their way quick enough? - This seems to be an increasing problem in Knaphill as it probably is all over the country.

We're sure any cyclists among you will try to argue your case for the defence!

Not unless there is a sign saying it is a multi use path I guess.  Woking / Surrey and every other council in the land seem to think that putting a line 18 inches from the kerb on a narrow road constitutes a cycle lane as well.

Then again, for pedestrians on pavements think cyclists on the road.  We can all be more considerate to those we share the road with.  There does seem to be a fair number of cyclists who think they have right of way though.

Everyone I saw this morning seemed to be riding sensibly - me included.  I think as long as you use your bell and say thank you you don't need to slow right down, particularly now the path is wider.  The surface is very good.

These cyclists need to slow down, they're a danger, ignorant and have a total disregard for other people - who do they think they are? - I did a cycling profficiency test when I was at school and it said something about riding on the public highway - not the pavement!  As for the cyclist who nearly bowled me over along the canal tow path on Sunday - its people like you who give other cyclists a bad name !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

When I am cycling along the towpath, I ring my Bell not to censure walkers for not getting out of the way, but to warn them that I am approaching from behind.  This allows them to walk on one half of the path rather than in the centre.  I don't think this is unreasonable, and I always say thanks as i go past.  This is the whole point of a bell, and given that the whole reasoning and funding for the new surface is to encourage cyclists, i do think it is reasonable for walkers when aware of an approaching cyclist to move to one side?  Not to have to stop and jump out of the way, but where the path is wide enough just to move aside.  Where the path is narrower cyclists should slow down much more, but I see no point in slowing right down to pas someone where there is plenty of room and I have alerted them to my presence.

In general people are happy to move aside, and I have not had any problems in the few times I have used this appraoch.  You do have to beware kids with ipods on though 0 make sure your bell is loud

I regularly use the towpath both as pedestrian, runner and (considerate) cyclist. I have to say I'm not keen on the new surface, makes it feel much more urban,

I understand what you are all saying about cyclists. The good news is - there's less of them about now that summer is over. I think they should all be issued with sharks fins ..  that would make them look even more ridiculous than they do already .. and what about cars parking on pavements?  them selfish bu*gers are just as bad!!

We've noticed that they're now slowing down and actually saying thank you (At Last!) Is this the power of the internet? - wonders never cease - please excuse the sarcasm!

It goes both ways.  I was cycling home from Guildford, stopped off at Sainsburys in Brookwood/Knaphill and then, as I was about to exit (where the petrol station is located), a car without any lights pulled out and I had to swerve.  I was dressed in dayglo jacket, had MY lights on, and I'm big enough to be noticed.

As for the pavement issue - I thorouhgly dislike doing so, but I will mount the pavement as last resort if the traffic is really bad or it is too dangerous to overtake on the right of the cars.  When I do, I take it slowly, make my presence noticed, and am patient - with full priority given for pedestrians.  What gets my goat as well is cars either parking in cycle paths or driving over them when there is plenty of room in the road itself.

There are just as equal bad cyclists as there are bad car drivers, just as there are good cyclists and good drivers.  I try my best to be a good cyclist - I don't always get it right, but I do try..

Only this morning I was walking along the pavement past Brookwood Farm where they're building the new houses. I suddenly heard a dinga ling aling behind me and I turned around to see some woman in a yellow hi-viz jacket cursing me because I was in HER way ! .... What an ignorant, selfish, law breaking sour faced [insert expletive here!]

I understand the frustration - but it goes the other way too.  From my PoV as a cyclist, I caught somebody walking on the road in the cycle lane leading up to the junction between Brookwood Farm and Sainsburys.  I gave plenty of notice that I was coming up behind the guy and asked, POLITELY, to excuse me, but all I got in reply was a string of abuse.  The fact this guy was on the road AND in a cycle lane and not on the grass verge gave him no right to complain.

What's needed is better cycle lanes around that area.  And likewise, better cycle ways around Knaphill in general.  I notice a fair number of cyclists - without high-vis vests, helmets or lights, zooming about in the dark around near the Vyne.  In the mornings, school kids whizz down Anchor Hill on the pavement without due care or attention to pedestrians.

And perhaps, just perhaps, it might be worth laying on some form of cycling profeciency/learning session in the area.  Try to help people to cycle properly and safely.

1. Is there an inexpensive bike repair shop or man in the area?  For what some shops charge, I could easily buy a new bike in the sales!

2. You should always slow down when passing a pedestrian.  You never know what perception, sight or hearing problems they may have and it could make a cyclist look or hear  much closer than they really are, causing shock or distress to the pedestrian.

3. The now pressed-in gravel, loosely sprinkled with plant matter and such stuff, does not look too urban and fits in nicely with the canal scenery.  It also makes it less damaging to a bike for those of us who can't afford to keep repairing or replacing bits of bikes and/or don't have the time or skills to deal with the repairs.

I thoroughly recommend Switchback Cycles.  They've repaired my electric bike a good number of times (well, the non-electric parts anyway!) and their prices are very reasonable.

Good point regarding pedestrians - and should also apply to car drivers too, although to be fair, you can hear cars more than you can hear a whizzing cyclist.  And for us cyclists - for crying out loud, ensure you're wearing reflective clothing and put on those lights!!

Forgot to mention that Switchback Cycles are located along the High Street, opposite Mopps, the Barbers.

I found them to be a bit too pricey for me. 

Weather must be getting better. Noticed a few more of these imbeciles riding on the pavement down Anchor Hill this morning. This is getting very dangerous. Can something be done to sort out these thoughtless and selfish individuals???

Merve,

A more carefully considered use of the term 'imbecile' please.

I am one - but I'm not one of those - if you see what I mean.

Thanks for that... you've just made my 'pint' shine more brightly.....

Just witnessed the following while out walking this afternoon........... a cyclist ran into a dog lead because he was riding like a maniac without giving any consideration to other users along the Basingstoke Canal towpath.......... The old man with the dog waved his stick at the cyclist after a verbal exchange and said "you're NOT a cyclist, you're just a pr*ck on a bike! - It seemd like because of the Cycle Woking signs the 'man' on the bike thought he had the right of way - Oooh how I just love our Knaphill humour!

I assume the "cyclist" didn't apologise?  Sigh .. it's these people that give those of us that cycle responsibly a bad name.  Although I must vent frustration at the car driver who decided to stop dead  just after the pedestrian crossing near Boots to say hello to a dog walker, forcing me to break hard thinking that the driver wouldn't just do something like that.

And those people at Sainsburys who idly wonder across the the road without looking either way before stepping out is also a cause for concern.  Regardless of whether you're a pedestrian, a cyclist or car driver - we're all to blame at some point.