I hit a runner while on my bike today (Page 3)

On the narrow portions and near the boat houses it's supposedly 7mph, but there is nothing posted. On the wide portions I would say average cycling speed is 15-18mph but you get a lot of people who think they're on the Tour. It's very flat and paved, and people tend to go fast.

Although I may be the one taking the hit on this thread it makes me really angry to see bikes weaving around people at a high rate of speed in the congested areas. Where are you really going to go? That being said, I got my hard lesson for the day.

I vote against this method.  

Just last weekend I was running on a multi-use trail and somebody did this to me.  They buzzed me the second my left foot planted and it startled me to the point that I had a slight reaction that ended up tweaking my knee.  It's never good to startle people when they're running IMHO.

Also, when I hear people coming up on me yelling "on your left" I always raise my left hand acknowledging that I heard them and it's safe to pass.

To the OP, regardless of whose at fault I'm glad your both OK.

Speaking of Philly cops, I was out running 3 years ago on July 3rd and knocked over from behind by a female cyclist in front of Boathouse Row. It was a low speed hit, she had just gotten her road bike and couldn't unclip. There were about 5 cops standing there setting up the barriers for the fireworks and concert. But you gotta love Philly's finest, every one of them ran to her and ignored me

Ok, I didn't mean to suggest that.  Here's how I wish your exchange went: "Oh man! I'm so sorry, I was trying to tell you I was passing on your left.  I should have slowed down, totally NOT your fault."

I run and cycle on the trails around here, and the only jerks I encounter are cyclists that think they're trying out HTC or something.  I get "buzzed" while running quite often.  I'm not saying this is you, you announced yourself, you just made an incorrect assumption that the person knew your intentions.  Always slow to a speed where you could stop on a dime if need be.  I don't think you're a jerk or you're trying to shift blame, it's just that when I'm on the trails, I assume ALL the responsibility for avoiding pedestrians.

Squirrels, on the other hand, are a different story!

This is why you have to love the new media. Intent and feeling are just so easy to convey!

IMHO squirrels are suicidal little psychopaths. I also really despise geese.

On some of the popular trails here in Houston, the speed limit is 10mph.  That doesn't stop aggressive and fast cyclists from yelling "MOVE! MOVE!" as they barrel down the trail at 20mph or lecturing slower cyclists.  This obnoxious is attitude is one of the reasons I hesitated riding a bike for many years.  I still would rather ride on my trainer.

People are wrong on the Internet!  I must fix this!

In short order:

1. To the OP: you're at fault and you've ackowledged it.  On behalf of the universe, I grant you forgiveness.  And you did the right thing to stop and help the runner, so you get an extra brownie.

2. 17mph uphill on a MUP.  Common sense (making its usual fleeting appearance) says that's fast, regardless of posted or not posted speed limits. 

3. Slow down approaching pedestrians from behind.  Duh. Commonsense (2nd time on one post!)

4. Yelling "on your left" is always a judgment call. Some people dart left, some people dart right, some people hold their line.  Have your hands on the brakes ready to stop.  Commonsense (3rd time, getting scary).

I drop down to a safe speed or completely across the path when I see a pedestrian.  Luckily, its not a city path so I see maybe 5-10 during my 18 mile trip, most of which are in a 1 mile strip.  When its empty I've gone up to 35 mph.  When I see a walker, I slow down to 10 mph, if need be.

If the path gets congested with walkers and runners, it no longer is a valid place to cycle, and there are quite a few cycling advocates that hammer this point to the city councils.

I find the irony with our 'bike path' that it is funded as a essentially a commuter road for bicycles, but city planners want to build parks all along it which will essentially nullify it as bicycle commuter road.

You're not kidding.  I have a 5 & 7 year old and I took them on a MUP to walk our dog and they were a brutal.  The dog stayed in the right area but the kids?  Disastrous.  LOL.

NOVO,

That is an awsome post.

As I come up behind runners, walkers, or other cyclists on a local rail-to-trail, I'm usually riding my 29er with disc brakes.  It brakes silently, so I can't squeeze on brakes to announce my approach.  But I usually will click a few gears down on the rear derailleur and see if they notice.  If not, I'll announce a quick but audible "Passing on your left" while leaving plenty of room for their reaction.  If on my old hardtail Fisher, it's rim brakes will squeal so I use those as a horn.

As a runner, when I hear someone call out "On your left", I acknowledge with a hand-wave or other gesture (such as moving further to the right).  I've grown accustomed to looking for the acknowledgement from other runners as well.

I'd say if you're going to ride on the multiuse paths often, and at more than just recreational speeds, you need a bell on your bike, and use it instead of calling out "On your left".  Or do them both.

Really?  You have some pretty high expectations about people's hearing if you think people are listening for clicks and squeals.  I certainly won't hear it.

When running, I always say "thank you" to the cyclists who say "on your left".  When cycling, I usually say "on your left" and thank people who notice.  I don't always say "on your left", especially if in my esteemed judgment the group will scatter in front of me.