I hit a runner while on my bike today (Page 4)

I think whether or not it was your fault is dependent on the posted trail rules, if any.

We have a multi-use trail here that is extremely popular for everyone: cyclists, runners, walkers, in-line skaters, parents teaching their kids to ride a bike, etc.

The biggest problem I have is that most people are so plugged into their iPods, etc that they aren't paying attention.  (I often slow to a 5 MPH when passing these people.)

Posted rules on the trail I ride specifically say to ride or walk on your right and call out "on your left" and pass on the left.  The rules on staying to the right and passing (on the left) and calling "on your left" when passing are very clear.  Top speed allowed is 20 MPH.

If you were riding on the trail here, it would be the runner's fault.  Period!

Novo - 2011-07-21 10:23 AM -this is America, whether you are on a road, bike path, or shopping aisle in Walmart, you stay to the right. -he was young, their bones are like rubber, he will bounce right back. -you did him a favor by teaching him at a young age not to be stupid. -the fact that you stopped to apologize rather than grabbing his wallet and taking off, makes me question if you are truly from Philly

I love Philly, it's a great city and it's cleaned up it's act a great deal. I was away for 19 years on business and I moved back in 2007. And to Scout: Philly cops are pretty darned good, especially the bicycle cops. It's not a job I could do.

Although, speaking of Philly attitude and cops, did you see last week they put up a Frank Rizzo statue? Any of you remember that famous picture of him in a tuxedo with a sap sticking out of his cummerbund?

The roads were made for bicycles and carriages.   Those horseless carrages will just have to adapt .   Maybe we could create separate lanes for them.

I know a lot of people have commented here already but I wanted to add in a few things of my own opinion.

-riding on a MUP is not the best option but sometimes it is the only option. As long as you are taking care and are being careful it can be safe. It sounds like here the trail is pretty empty at this time and so despite the extra room to manuever - you had a collision.

- you held yourself and check and did not over-react. Be proud of yourself for that! whether it is a teenager or not, keeping a cool head will always be helpful in situations like these. Also I am not sure which or what "rules" you explained, but if you discussed simple things like all traffic stay to the right unless passing, what the different calls on the trail can mean, and making sure to be visible (no ninja running/biking) then that is all great advice. Since I do not know this MUP you were on I do not know if it has a posted speed limit for cyclists but pointing that out is also a good idea.

- I would also want to add for anyone who rides on a MUP on a regular basis, a clear and loud bell is a much more effective means to make pedestrians and other cyclists aware of you. It says here I am without causing the involuntary reaction of hearing "on your left" and those unfamiliar with the term who have a habit of moving left. Just something to consider (I know it is not the coolest thing to have on your bike, but for me safety trumps cool any day).

All that being said, glad no one was seriously injured and hope you both just called it a learning experience.

Its amazing how effective the little bell is. My wife and I will ride on the bike path and I can yell "on your left" with no reaction, she can be 10 yards behind me hit her little bell (ring-ring) and people move.

In Idaho peds always have the right of way, jaywalking or not.

To the OP, glad everyone was ok.

My only input is to call out the on your left way in advance. That gives you time to see their reaction if they heard you before you are right behind them. Perhaps if you had yelled sooner you could have seen the runner jump to the left and still had time to avoid him.

If they didn't hear you or don't react slow down to 5mph or so so you can stop on a dime.

All that said, I don't use MUP's because I can't get a decent ride in with all the people in the way. But I understand if you have to use a path to get out of town. I have the benefit of living out on the empty country roads.

For disucssion purposes (because this hasn't been discussed enough), this is from the Fairmount Park Rules and Regulations section:

Trail Use
Seven (7) miles per hour is the fastest you are allowed to go on Park trails. Please do not drive any faster.
Joggers - pedestrians have the right-of-way except during sanctioned and/or organized running races.
Bicyclists - all other trail users have the right-of-way, except during sanctioned bicycle races.
Bicycling is allowed on all roads within the Park, except as posted on Kelly Drive and Martin Luther King Drive (West River Drive).

http://www.fairmountpark.org/ServicesRulesAndRegs.asp

Odd, I've been a runner for years and always thought "on your left" was a part of the running community.  With that said, I have come to expect people to jump to their left when I say "on your left".  It's actually kind of humorous and whoever does it, we both typically end up laughing.  Then again I'm trail running when I say it so I make sure I'm slowing down and saying it soon enough to give them time to jump to their left (DOH) and turn around.  Then proceed with that awkward bobbing left and right, mirroring the other person because nobody knows which way to go. 

I'd never ride on a multi use path and am thankful to live in an area where it's never necessary.  Be safe out there.

I haven't read through the entire thread (wow, what fireworks I did read though), but IMHO both the OP and the runner share responsibility for this.  OP for perhaps going a little too fast, maybe not swinging wide enough, but did give a warning.  Runner for not looking back before walking across path to the left.

Glad to hear you are mostly OK.

I agree with this. Though pedestrians technically always have the right away, it's also technically a multi-use path, meaning that everyone needs to learn how to use it -- not that cyclists need to just bow out and let everyone else be inconsiderate.

People in general need to learn to be more aware of others and realize how their actions will affect those around them. When I'm running on a multi-use trail and I want to turn around at a certain mile marker, I step off the trail first so that I can make sure I won't be inconveniencing or running into anyone behind me. I stay on the right at all times unless I'm passing, even if I think no one's around. I go single file with my partner when running, walking or riding as soon as I see someone ahead or hear someone behind. Heck, if I'm in a grocery store pushing a cart and have to stop or slow down, I pull to the side and out of people's way. These things aren't hard to do; they're born of the simple fact that I realize I'm not the only person in the world and that I need to be considerate of those trying to move around me.

As someone said, this is America; we stay to the right. It's simple common sense and courtesy that everyone needs to adhere to for things to run smoothly, whether on MUPs or in everyday life.

Yeah, I never really thought about it like that.  i'll have to change my attitude the next time i'm on the path near my house.

x1

Or I just say  "PASSING" and then I wait to see what they do, and then I pass.

The word "left" makes people go left. It's subconscious. That's why if you yell at kids in the hallway, "Don't run!" it's much less effective than yelling "Walk please!" because the word creates a picture in their mind. You want them to picture walking, not running. (Kids can't picture "don't run," only "run".)  Same goes for "left." You hear "left" and you go left!

IMHO

Works for me.  I've never hit a runner.  And I've not had one dart out in front of me when using the "click the gears first, call out second" approach.  Of course, and 29er Scott isn't exactly stealthy on gravel screening paths, so maybe they hear my loud-a$$ tires first...

I don't generally run with an iPod, so I may be more aware of my surroundings than most.  And if I'm riding the mtn. bike and I see that the runner I'm approaching is running with music, I up the volume of my clicks/calls appropriately

That sounds great oh wait I do not have a basement Now what do I do?

It seems like certain people smelt blood and jumped all over the dude that posted this.  Not the best reaction in my opinion