A good question -- and there's not a single good answer.

What we call "bike paths" are in actuality "multi-user" paths, because the features that make them attractive to the average cyclist also makes them attractive to many other users. Because of the congestion - walkers, joggers, rollerbladers, baby strollers, dogs (some leashed, some not), horses, etc. - paths require different considerations than road riding.

Bike paths have rules that very few users abide by. For example, here's the sign posted at the entrances to North Little Rock's River Trail:



Similar signs are posted over on the Little Rock side of the River Trail. Does anybody pay attention to them? You can probably see this one coming...

As I said, there's not a single good answer. Here's how I deal with the question in my Road I and other bike safety classes, from my class notes:

[quote]
In order to stay safe, it is imperative that bicyclists, the fastest users, yield to slower users. Because there are so many different users, it is hard to get everyone to follow the same rules. Runners don’t know if they should run on the right or left side, roller-bladers can easily take up the entire lane as they sway back and forth, children are erratic and unpredictable, and adults usually assume that they can just let the kids go.

If you do use multi-user paths, you must yield to everyone as you are the fastest user and have the greatest responsibility. What cars are to bicyclists on the road, bicyclists are to pedestrians on the paths. Be responsible.

Bicyclists Sharing the Path
Despite cyclists feeling that their true enemy is the automobile, it could be held that the conflict between bicyclists and pedestrians is most threatening to cyclists’ rights. The problem is not that pedestrians and bicyclists cannot co-exist, but that we have never been taught how to deal with each other. Bicyclists can learn how to ride in traffic from books or friends, or by applying principles they learned when they were taught to drive a car, but techniques for dealing with pedestrians, either on bike paths or on streets are not as well-known.

Fortunately, much of what we’ve learned about riding in traffic will readily apply to riding the bike paths, too…

Run, ride, walk, skate – on the right. You will still conflict with club runners who believe they should be going against traffic, but you must watch out for these jokers in any case.

Pass only on the left – not on the right. People don’t expect anyone to be coming up on their right side.

Always yield to pedestrians (more in a little bit...)

Ride at a speed that’s appropriate for the traffic density on the trail. The River Trail, or any other multi-use trail, is simply not a place to hold your fast pack rides or practice your time-trialing.

Yield to Pedestrians: Don't ever assume a pedestrian is looking out for you. If you hit a pedestrian, it is going to be considered your fault even if you have the right of way. Legally, the pedestrian always has the right of way. It is your responsibility to be aware of and be prepared for all the thoughtless, crazy moves that pedestrians will make.

Pedestrian Reactions
The first principle in dealing with pedestrians from a bike is that they don't know how to deal with you, either. Unlike automobiles, which can be directed by the bicyclist into proper action, pedestrians are less likely to react to a bicycle even if they see them.

Remember, a properly tuned bike is almost silent; those on foot may be listening rather than looking for trouble. Bells let people (including non-English speakers) know a cyclist is coming. But to get the attention of drivers and peds, nothing beats the human voice. "YO!" "Stop!" "Coming through!" or even a loud "Excuse me!" do the trick. The goal: Let them know where you are, where you are going, and what you want them to do. What I’ve found to work for me is a simple greeting as I approach from the rear, reinforced by a bike bell for the ones who don’t respond to a voice.

Still, don't count on people responding. The law calls for using extra caution to avoid pedestrians, regardless of right-of-way. If things get dicey, hit the brakes. Hitting a ped will stop you just as quickly as hitting a solid object, and the repercussions are far more serious. Riding unnecessarily close to peds ("buzzing" them) scares them and endangers both of you and is the worst publicity cyclists can get. A slight miscalculation or last-minute move can cause a serious (and seriously stupid) accident.

With cooperation, we can get and keep pleasant places to bicycle and walk. With conflict, we could lose the paths we have and have to fight larger forces to maintain our full access to city streets.

You can increase your safety by increasing your awareness of traffic conditions. Don’t take the blame. Do take charge of your own situation.

Tom