Sir, – The Rules of the Road for pedestrians state that “if there is no footpath, you must walk as near as possible to the right-hand side of the road, facing oncoming traffic”.
This is sensible, safe and logical. It is also the law, so we’re used to it.
Councils’ greenway code, however, states that users should “cycle and walk on the left, pass on the right”.
I walk and cycle the lovely Waterford Greenway and this code always seems unsafe and illogical for cyclists and pedestrians.
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If I walk on the left, cyclists come up behind me, some of them quite fast, most of them without a bell. The first I know of them is the disconcerting swoosh as they swerve past.
If I walk on the right, I can see cyclists coming towards me, and they can see that I’m aware of them, so no issues.
In the best interests of cyclists and walkers the code needs to replaced by the relevant section of the Rules of the Road.
The existing code makes greenways less safe for users, and especially so for children. –
Yours, etc,
BILL POWER,
Tramore,
Co Waterford.
