Commuting advise needed - cyclist vs runner

[Runbikeswim]

When commuting and a runner comes from the front towards you who should give way?

My opinion is the runner , as the runner can see the cars coming behind me. If I swerve out for a runner I mighr get knocked by a car.

 

Had a “disagreement “ with a runner on this topic today. When he started what the F$@$@# you doing and foaming at the mouth I stopped and said my peace as above. He carried of ranting and at this point I lost my cool and told him to F off and go have his heart attack elsewhere . In hindsight should not have swore him back. I do believe that my point is very valid.

 

Opinions?

[NixM]

Happens fairly often in the cycle lane near where I live. Joggers think it's for them to run in despite sign saying reserved for cyclists. I normally move over towards the right of the lane allowing a small gap for them. Usually common sense prevails and they hop up onto the pavement before we pass each other.

[Paul Ruinaard]

Hmm - interesting - I had similar on an MTB trail. 

 

I got shoulder charged on the Spruit by a trail runner, who saw me coming and dropped his shoulder  right when i got next to him. I was on the rutted section in Victory Park where it is quite difficult to get out of the "slot" you are in. Clearly the runner believed that I had to move for him. He was quite a big strong guy and as we approached each other I made an incorrect assumption that he would understand I couldn't easily change path.

 

I didn't hit him but he was prepared and willing to knock me off the bike and swung his shoulder to brace himself and take me off. So i was pretty p!ssed.

 

Anyway after much swearing I thought about it afterwards.

 

I concluded it comes down to mutual respect and never making assumptions. I could and should have moved or braked. Ped's are mostly going a lot slower than bikes.

 

And we close much quicker.

 

IN general its always better to avoid any contact and ensure that you take evasive action - like a defensive driving policy - always assume the other guy hasn't seen you or wont move, irrespective of who has the right of way or the moral high ground.

 

Comes from riding motorbikes (and I suppose bicycles) where you are always worse of i contact situations.

 

My 2 cents

[Lefty V]

Hmm - interesting - I had similar on an MTB trail. 

 

I got shoulder charged on the Spruit by a trail runner, who saw me coming and dropped his shoulder  right when i got next to him. I was on the rutted section in Victory Park where it is quite difficult to get out of the "slot" you are in. Clearly the runner believed that I had to move for him. He was quite a big strong guy and as we approached each other I made an incorrect assumption that he would understand I couldn't easily change path.

 

I didn't hit him but he was prepared and willing to knock me off the bike and swung his shoulder to brace himself and take me off. So i was pretty p!ssed.

 

Anyway after much swearing I thought about it afterwards.

 

I concluded it comes down to mutual respect and never making assumptions. I could and should have moved or braked. Ped's are mostly going a lot slower than bikes.

 

And we close much quicker.

 

IN general its always better to avoid any contact and ensure that you take evasive action - like a defensive driving policy - always assume the other guy hasn't seen you or wont move, irrespective of who has the right of way or the moral high ground.

 

Comes from riding motorbikes (and I suppose bicycles) where you are always worse of i contact situations.

 

My 2 cents

Agree and shot for having a level headed view about this.

[Lefty V]

Off Topic:

I was stopped by a runner on my commute this morning - to warn me that he had just been mugged in the section I was approaching. So I am feeling a lot of love towards runners today

[usxorf]

Off Topic:

I was stopped by a runner on my commute this morning - to warn me that he had just been mugged in the section I was approaching. So I am feeling a lot of love towards runners today

Where?

[Robrider]

On the road, I would say that a cyclist is a "vehicle" by the definition in the roads act, and therefore should behave like a car and go around the runner in the road. The runner should move towards or on to the pavement if possible.

 

In a bike lane its a different story, cyclist has right of way, as the pedestrian shouldn't be there. (good luck with that one though)

 

If its on a trail like the spruit, there are no "rules". I generally find most people (riders or runners) "expect" me to move off the path, but I'm a nice guy, and do that anyway.

[Lefty V]

Where?

Between Westlake golf course and the estate - about mid-way on that road that connects with the bottom of Boyse Drive.

[GLuvsMtb]

Road:

If I see the runner in advance, I look back, signal that I am moving into the road to pass the runner, pass with a big a gap as I can get and move back once past the runner.

Cycle lane:

I stay left and point with my finger for him to pass right of me.

Trail:

If it is bi directional and for cycling and running, I yield where possible.

[EmptyB]

Only thing that will ever work in this situation is mutual respect....obviously in wont always happen!

[Trance Dance]

As both a runner and a cyclist I believe we need to respect each other out there. This means doing our best to remain safe and avoid conflict.

 

Runners run into traffic as this is safest for them whereas cyclists go with traffic. This isn't going to change and we have to tolerate each other and not be d!cks about rule.

 

That said when I run on the mountain and I'm running on the left of a jeep or dual track I struggle to move when approached by two mtbers riding side by side. Not uncommon on table mtn.

 

The other place I struggle to give way to mtbers is when running on single track that mtbers are not supposed to be on (illegal trails) also a common occurrence on table mtn.

[ScottCM]

I have this debate quite often with people. The problem is that we all see each other as a competitor or shall I say an intruder on "our" piece of road, both cyclists and runners. 

 

With the mentality like that we all loose out!!

 

Instead we should see each other as a few sports person doing something they love and be courteous towards each. We should all rally together for each others safety against the common enemy, The SUV soccer mom, Presently advantaged MERC/BMW drivers but to name a few.

 

Every day or at least two days apart we hear of a cyclist or runner run over by some dick who shouldn't have been behind the wheel. So lets rather share the road and love my fellow sportsmen.

[Bernard Horn]

Simple.Stop or slow down.

The following have right of way.

Moms with prams,dogs,old folks,little people on bikes/scooters,skateboarders,rollerblades,runners.

Have a nice day!

[Andrew Steer]

I run, I ride, I've never had a problem with this... I look a head, I make a decision early (could be any one of the suggested ones depending on the situation) and I make my intentions clear and obvious. It's not a competition, it's nobody's turf and it takes 2 frigging seconds to just be the better person...

 

Don't be a do@s, be lekker 

[Hackster]

If the runner is able to take a couple of strides on a pavement or verge as we pass each other, I expect them to do this. But I also prepare for the possibility that they might just hold their line.

 

If they're running on a narrow shoulder and there's nowhere for them to go, I must make way for them.

 

We've got to get along. There'll always be a couple of tjops on both sides, don't lose sleep over them.

[davem]

Cars give way to bicycles

Bicycles give way to Pedestrians

Runners are pedestrians

 

Make your intentions clear about how you are going to move whether you are a car, bicycle or runner/pedestrian.

 

If you (as a car/bicycle or pedestrian) are constrained in your ability to manoeuvre safely due to another party or object, slow down and even stop if necessary to allow clear passage of the right of way party.

 

IMHO the biggest reason for road conflict is the complete reluctance to slow down for a right of way party because we may be delayed by a few seconds.

 

Most importantly: Smile. Say hello.