Right of way

[Parrot of Doom]

Who has right of way on a canal towpath? There I am today, cycling along the towpath, group of kids 50 yards ahead who can clearly see me. All of them except one step out of the way (onto the grass and stones that I can't ride on but that they can easily walk on). The one who doesn't get out of the way (the towpath here is very wide, but the only available space to cycle in is a 12 inch wide rut) continues walking in the rut towards me, head down. Probably about 13-14 years old. Hes obviously seen me but is chancing his arm to see who gives way first.

Well he did. I slid at warp speed to a halt about 2 inches from his boocks, just before he jumped out of the way with a look of shock on his face. I was quite surprised he didn't end up in the water.

So who has right of way? This is roughly the same place except there are no setts on the bit where this lad was.

[RNN14]

Canal towpaths tend to be permissive footpaths, so it would be down to the land-owner (ie: British Waterways) to decide - I'm pretty sure that they'd side with the pedestrian.

Until a few years ago, technically you required a cycle permit from BW before you could ride on their towpaths...

[sparkythecat]

I thought that towpaths were built so that horses could be used to tow canal barges. So one would presume that the man leading the horse would have right of way. I know that times have moved on but I can't find any mention of horses on the BW site.

[fixedwheelnut]

Its a bit like engine gives way to sail, so Bikes give way to pedestrians, allthough in general people just step to the side.

Sounds like the kid was acting an idiot anyway.

[Dr Bob]

fixedwheelnut said:

Its a bit like engine gives way to sail, so Bikes give way to pedestrians...

Yeah, I'm pretty sure it's pedestrians, horses, bikes in right of way order.

fixedwheelnut said:

although in general people just step to the side.

normal folks anyway...

fixedwheelnut said:

Sounds like the kid was acting an idiot anyway.

must be the age, all the cocky 13 year olds round here do the same thing to cars, slowing down as they cross the road accompanied by the vacant 'vicky butler' stare.

CH

[mat205125]

Sounds to me you have encountered a little fk shite of a brat that thought it would be funny to chance his luck and look "da man" infront of his mates. I'd have run the little fk down .... Wish I still had bar ends!

Dr Bob said:

must be the age, all the cocky 13 year olds round here do the same thing to cars, slowing down as they cross the road accompanied by the vacant 'vicky butler' stare.
CH

You seen that Vicky Pollard bird presenting Fifth Gear? She can take anything sideways

Edited by mat205125 on Tuesday 9th October 12:51

[GreatGranny]

Pedestrians have right of way even on bridleways. There are some towpaths that you should have permits to ride along. This may apply to all. Don't British waterways own the canals and towpaths?

I will have a look on their website.

Just found this

http://www.waterscape.com/things-to-do/cycling/per...

So most canals require a free permit.

[Xenocide]

If they look sensable i'll slow down and let them move out the way a bit and exchange plesentries.

If they're cocky little shits then it's chicken; i've never lost!

[Dr Bob]

mat205125 said:

Dr Bob said:

vacant 'vicky butler' stare.
CH

You seen that Vicky Pollard bird presenting Fifth Gear? She can take anything sideways

DOH! I'm going to blame that mistake on this being pistonheads and it being a freudian slip...

[gbbird]

I do a lot of cycling on canal paths. I think technically no-one has the right of way - both parties should part to one side or the other and give way to each other - i believe it is the opposite to roads - you must move to the right of the path.

Anglers - now there is another issue - they cvlearly seem to think they own the banks, the path, the water, everything.