What does this sign mean to you?

[tyty333]

BTW, I live in the US if that matters...

 

[CJ2008]

Pedestrians and bicycles share the path.

On a shared path, bicyclists should:

Keep left
Signal their approach,

Etc.

So pedestrians should stay right.

 

[PierreBear]

Yes in general such as even in walking through airports, you pass on the left. A cyclist should give the courtesy and say "on your left" or some other verbal signal that they will be crossing paths soon. Have you come across an accident before? Luckily I haven't seen anything major but there have been some close calls!

 

[House Cat]

CJ clarified nicely.

If she hadn't, I would have walked on the damned grass and biked elsewhere.

 

[monarch64]

Pedestrians can also be runners--on trails here I walk with friends typically and we walk two abreast so it's common for joggers/runners to signal "on your left" as they approach. Same with bicycles.

I wish people could follow this protocol on sidewalks. Which, by the way, are called sideWALKS, not sideBIKES, for a reason. Our city has been striving towards being one of the most bike-friendly in America so we have bike lanes EVERYWHERE. But try telling that to those who insist on riding theirs on the damn sidewalks. Ugh.

 

[Missy]

Pedestrians can also be runners--on trails here I walk with friends typically and we walk two abreast so it's common for joggers/runners to signal "on your left" as they approach. Same with bicycles.

I wish people could follow this protocol on sidewalks. Which, by the way, are called sideWALKS, not sideBIKES, for a reason. Our city has been striving towards being one of the most bike-friendly in America so we have bike lanes EVERYWHERE. But try telling that to those who insist on riding theirs on the damn sidewalks. Ugh.

I think it is illegal (in NYC) for cyclists to bike on the sidewalk. I never do and it is very dangerous for all involved to cycle on sidewalks IMO. Cyclists need to stay in the street and walking pedestrians on the sidewalk. As for the sign yes cyclists to the left. And just a PSA people please don't text and walk and look where you are going. Everyone needs to stay aware to keep safe. Walking, driving, cycling please don't text while you are in motion!!!! And if you stop please move out of the way to allow others to pass. Thank you!

 

[Kbell]

Pedestrians can also be runners--on trails here I walk with friends typically and we walk two abreast so it's common for joggers/runners to signal "on your left" as they approach. Same with bicycles.

I wish people could follow this protocol on sidewalks. Which, by the way, are called sideWALKS, not sideBIKES, for a reason. Our city has been striving towards being one of the most bike-friendly in America so we have bike lanes EVERYWHERE. But try telling that to those who insist on riding theirs on the damn sidewalks. Ugh.

This happens to me all the time when I'm running... Lots of bicycles on the beach boardwalk - sharing means not forcing runners on to the street and not racing your buds taking up the whole walk. And if there were a collision they're the ones who are going to fall off their bike - but they aren't careful. I hate hate hate when bicyclists are on the sidewalk - especially ones with street bikes going 30 mph with a helmet & bike shorts - that's what the bike lanes are for! Little kids - fine. Also lots of walkers are oblivious and block the way too but a simple loud excuse me always solves that.

 

[Puppmom]

I took it to mean everyone stay to the left (or right). If traffic flows in both directions (I'm assuming it does) - I don't think you could have pedestrians stay right and bikes left since you have to allow for the flow from other direction, right?

We have many of these trails around here and usually when we're walking we'll hear "on your left" or "coming up behind you" and we move out of the way. The challenge is small children - I usually end up having to grab them by the hand or tug their shirt so they get the hint.

I would much rather share a trail/path as a pedestrian with cyclists than sharing the road. I'm always terrified when I have to pass someone on a bicycle.

 

[t-c]

If this sign is in a place where people drive on the left side of the road, then it could mean that the path accommodates pedestrian and bicycle traffic going in both directions, therefore everyone should keep left.

If this sign is in a place where people drive on the right side of the road, then the bulleted directions could be directed towards bicyclists only and that they should stay on the left side (and pedestrians remain on the right). This would suggest that the path is meant to go in one direction.

One thing is clear: this is not a very good sign.

 

[distracts]

To me it means they need to get a new sign that is written more clearly.

 

[tyty333]

So here's the deal. The signs are new. The traffic flows both ways. I've been walking on the right (yes, I'm a rebel) because well,
that's normal in the US. My friend got admonished the other day for walking on the right when it clearly says "keep left" (to some people).
I had a women heading straight at me the other day. I was wondering who was going to blink first...I did. I step to the left
and let her walk by.

So I kind of thought the Walker and the Biker on the sign were just there to draw your attention. I kind of assumed that the rules
below them applied to everyone because joggers pass me and as a walker I also pass slower walkers. I didnt think they just applied
to bikers because why would it have the "keep pets leashed" for bikers? That would apply more to walkers than bikers.

I think I need to call someone and complain. The signs are just done so poorly. I never had an issue before the signs went up.
I think the "keep left" needs to change to "pass on the left". That would apply to bikers/joggers and walkers. If they need it to
be more explicit they could say "keep right, pass on the left."

I agree with some of the others that the bikes should probably be on the street. Its a park so the speed limit is only 15 mph.

Thanks for everyone's input! It certainly made it clear that the signs are confusing and open to interpretation.

 

[tyty333]

To me it means they need to get a new sign that is written more clearly.

Totally agree!

 

[tyty333]

Pedestrians and bicycles share the path.
On a shared path, bicyclists should:
Keep left
Signal their approach,
Etc.
So pedestrians should stay right.

CJ2008 - it is a two way sidewalk so bikes cant keep left(without hitting on coming). If they mean when passing "keep left" that
would make sense but they really should have included the "when passing" because some people think it means for everyone to
keep left (walk and bike on the left).

House Cat...sad isnt it...new sidewalk and we dont even know how to use it due to these silly signs!

monarch64 ...I think what you are saying is what they meant by the sign, they just said it so poorly that its confusing. And passing
doesnt just apply to bikers.

Missy...I know you're a cyclist and you've got all the rules down pat. I appreciate when people warn me they're coming. I about
jumped out of my skin the other day when someone passed me on their bike without warning. It was on the sidewalk and they
weren't exactly going slow (if you're going to ride fast get on the road). My husband rides (fast for exercise) and he would never
consider riding on a sidewalk.

Kbell - I feel your pain...I about s%it my pants when a biker passed me the other day (no warning).

puppmom -

I would much rather share a trail/path as a pedestrian with cyclists than sharing the road. I'm always terrified when I have to pass someone on a bicycle.

I'm always nervous to pass bikers too especially when there is on coming traffic. I drive in the
other lane when there is no on coming traffic but when there is, I just slow way down and give as much space as I can. Still nerve
wracking!

t-c - its a two way path so you see the confusion. I'm worried there is going to be a pile up one day or maybe a fist fight over
which side we're suppose to be on!

 

[LLJsmom]

BTW, I live in the US if that matters...

+1

 

[Arcadian]

The sign is confusing. plus what if one is walking a dog? or 2 dogs?

Where I am there are bike lanes on the street, not that it means much as people still bike on the sidewalks.... and they bike however they want. basically you(pedestrian) have to watch for the bike eve though they should be in the street. for the most part, where I walk her the most people are very polite. They just bike in the grass to go around us. By the beach, we're usually on the beach, but bikes usually stay in the street. Its the skateboarders you have to worry about at the beach mostly.

 

[redwood66]

Everyone should think of a multi-use path as a two way street with an imaginary yellow line in the middle. Some paths even have the yellow line painted to make it easier for people to correlate to a street. Passing is just the same for a bicycle as a car would be on the road. Keep right if you are the slow one. The sign is confusing if you are a pedestrian and it tells you to keep left. I think they were trying to speak to the cyclist just above the small bullet points.

Bicyclists in my area are frightening when they use our rural twisty highways with NO shoulder. They are also rude taking up the entire lane.