Time to register joggers?

I had the wierdest experience this morning 7am - doing a 30 min run before work and returning down Cross Roads (reasonable bike lane, but traffic doing 60km on my right). Woman jogging in the bike lane same direction as traffic with big earphones on, and on the mobile at the same time.

I suppose I could have run into her, but gave her an earful instead! Perfectly good and wider footpaths for joggers, why use the bike lane???

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Permalink Reply by Chris Russell on April 20, 2012 at 21:57

Doubt it as she was running with the traffic direction and on mobile phone at the same time!

Permalink Reply by Sophia MacRae on April 20, 2012 at 9:25

So the jogger was in this case a "road user", same as a cyclist on the road, or a motor vehicle on the road. Being a "road user" implies certain obligations, responsibilites, as well as rights of access.

So, while being a road user, I would say that there is a legal obligation to be able to hear and be aware of other road users. And certainly a road user shouldn't be using a mobile phone while they are using the road!

We need an education campaign for ALL road users, not just cars and cyclists. We all share the road, we all pay taxes (that education campaign will need to teach motorists that their rego fees don't actually cover the roadbuilding, roadmaintenaince, pollution, congestion and public health problems that they contribute to....)

Permalink Reply by heather on April 20, 2012 at 10:54

Sophia, like your words about obligations of a road user. I wished for drivers to receive with vehicle registration and driver's licence renewals tips on sharing the road with cyclists, and how drivers do not pay fully for vehicle use. I thought that the latter might decrease the arrogance of 'cyclists don't pay to use the roads, drivers pay for them' and thus improve attitudes towards cyclists. Sounds like the LGA rather than the State Government might do this first. Please keep me informed of the campaign.

Permalink Reply by Matt "Boz" on April 20, 2012 at 9:29

A few months ago, was heading along the Esplanade near Seacliff - there must have been an organised fun run - the joggers were three or four wide running the up the wrong side of the road - I come across them without warning on a round about and almost crashed into them as there was no where to go - crazy stuff.

And - have started seeing some joggers running down the veloway near Darlington - now that is asking for trouble - cyclists can do some fast speeds down there - and some blind corners could make this deadly. 

That been said - have no issue with a jogger using a bike lane if they are going in the same direction as traffic - no different than passing a slow cyclist

Permalink Reply by Matt Jones on April 20, 2012 at 9:48

I noticed something similar to this the other day on South Tce (near St Andrews Hospital), it was about 7pm, quite dark and there was a large group of joggers (obviously an organised bunch) running on the wrong side of the road , facing oncoming traffic.

They are obviously doing it so they can see whats coming up and react, rather than running on a wonky footpath / dirt track. 

Permalink Reply by Duncan Fowler on April 20, 2012 at 9:51

I always thought it was correct to walk/run into traffic (not literally, of course, but in the opposite direction to the traffic). I learnt this when I was about 4 years old. I understood it was so you could see what was coming and take evasive action if necessary.

Permalink Reply by Matt Jones on April 20, 2012 at 10:52

Yep, I was also told always walk by the side of the road . The difference here is they were running in the middle of the road. I dont recall ever being told it was ok to walk in the middle of the road.

Permalink Reply by heather on April 20, 2012 at 11:06

If pedestrians insist on illegally using bicycle lanes, then they should keep to the left bicycle lane, for the safety of cyclists who are entitled to use that space. It is more difficult for a cyclist to safely pass a pedestrian when both parties are heading together, when it is the cyclist who is expected to swerve into the traffic. Especially when 'pedestrians' in wider 'motorised wheelchairs' (using language of Transport for mobility scooters).

It is not OK for pedestrians or joggers to use bicycle lanes at night, when they do not have lights (99.9% ?).

It is not OK for pedestrians to use the Veloway. The Velo is a clue that it is only for cyclists and is clearly marked as such. I am aware of cyclists being injured when unexpectedly encountering a pedestrian on this cycle path. You can report illegal users of the Veloway. Easier to do when motorbikes with rego plates but I have encountered here motorbikes without plates. Perhaps if enough reports about pedestrians / joggers on the Veloway, then police will patrol the area. Would help to explain to the police the safety issues which has led to injured cyclists.

Permalink Reply by Patrick O'Kane on April 20, 2012 at 15:08

 It is more difficult for a cyclist to safely pass a pedestrian when both parties are heading together, when it is the cyclist who is expected to swerve into the traffic


Sorry Heather can't let that one go. Cyclists are not expected to swerve into traffic, they are expected and obliged to look behind to make sure it is clear and safe to overtake/merge/change direction If it is not safe to do so they are expected to slow or stop until it is safe. A cyclist swerving into traffic is a dangerous thing, just as a car doing so would be a dangerous thing. Lets all ride and drive safely out there.

Permalink Reply by Chris Russell on April 20, 2012 at 22:06

Well I have to say that it did not feel to me like passing another cyclist. Limbs were flailing and the speed difference made it very difficult. Of course I slowed down to make it safe but I've never encountered it before and it felt distinctly unsafe for me, for her and for nearby vehicles!

I also have no objection to shared paths, but where there is a marked cycle lane on a road and a decent footpath it seemed crazy to me.

Permalink Reply by Matt Jones on April 20, 2012 at 15:18

Heather, I'm not certain on the validity of your claim re: pedestrians on the veloway. I dont think that pedestrians are restricted from anywhere unless it explicitly states that (eg Freeway).

Sure the primary design intent for the veloway is a cycling route, but to say its a bike exclusive zone is not technically correct , as there is no sign saying "No Pedestrian access"

I'm happy to be proved wrong on this however

Permalink Reply by Matt "Boz" on April 20, 2012 at 15:26

The Veloway from Darlington To Old Reynella is sign posted Bikes only - not massive signs - but they are there

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