This newcastle -everyone is in the wrong!

Excellent article, Jeff. I'm a cyclist and I've experienced the problems you write about on the Fernleigh Track and other shared paths. Women with strollers right across the track and if you ring your bell they give you the evil knievel as it to say you have no right there. Another problem are people whose dogs are on extenda leads and allowed to roam right across the track. Keep it up Jeff.

Right on Jeff!

This is, just like the cyclist on the roads, a sticky issue. If everyone followed the rules everything would be perfect, but they dont. Cars, cyclists, and pedestrians all break the rules and all don't like to take blame. I have been in both situations both as a pedestrian and as a cyclist on these shared paths, and they are a recepie for disaster. On these shared paths, it is more often than not the pedestrians walking all over the path, walking 4 abreast taking the whole path, or not moving over when a cycilist is approaching. As a pedestrian i found cyclists mostly courtous, and thankd me for staying to the side or grabing my childs hand as they approached. But i was also shocked and was almost run over by 2 cyclists,1 going either side of me. This is dangerous and shouldn't occur. The one going on the left of me was pushed to the grass as i moved left as i heard the bikes approaching, but no bell. But i shal digress. Cyclists should also go an appropriate speed on these tracks but in saying that if the rules are followed, pedestrians stay left and cyclists ring their bell with pleanty of warning and overtake on the right. Maybe signage of this may be required.

Oh and Welcome back Jeff.

perhaps some Ben Hur style spikes on your wheels would sort out the rude path hogging pedestrians. In my experience walkers have no regard for cyclists. poo scooping dog tenders are the worst menace on cycleways,"his only being friendly " as their idiot animal goes within an inch of putting you over the handlebars. I like to carry a dog repellant (2 feet of electrical conduit)for the "he doesnt bite" type of dog.

Welcome back Jeff. Good to see you are back on an old horse first off. As much as I hate to say it, I must agree with the self righteous cyclist on this one - for the same reason why I criticise their road use. It is only for cyclists on the road that the smaller more vulnerable users are protected by THEIR LEGAL RIGHT TO USE THE ROAD. It does not happen anywhere else that heavy and light vehicles interact (open cut mines, airports etc - where heavy vehicles have right of way) - and does not make any sense. FOR THE SAME REASON - I agree totally with your comments on bikes and people on the Fernleigh track. It is segregated for a reason and a bike can do significant damage to a pedestrian. Therefore the pedestrian should beware and be on the watch for faster and harder travellers on bicycles. Just like bikes should on the "big road".

Nice to have you out of the paddock and back in harness Jeff.Hope your holiday was enjoyable .

here, here! I run daily and have to contend with aimless idiots straying all of the cycle track in front of me and breaking my stride. Not something easily made up for after 10 k's or so.

Welcome back Jeff and Bloggers,I have not been on the shared pathway as yet.I did ride along the old train line back in the early 90's from Whitebridge to Redhead,it was a little rough in places but other wise a pretty good ride.I'd imagine it would be a lot busier today choked with walkers dawdling along four abreast.Just like has happened at the Warners Bay to Speers Point shared path,I remember riding along there pre-path,it was a goat track but at least you had no pesky walkers to slow you down,flat out on my trusty bmx. Its bit like the budding Lance Armstrong and Cadel Evans wannabe's in their funky lycra gear riding 2 abreast on the road gasbagging as they ride along.