Conflict on the pathway

• Published date: 04 November 2021
• Publication title: Star, The

University of Otago sociology students Jacinta Aldridge, Vanessa Beck and Tanika Langbridge conducted a research project to understand safety issues on the pathway.

They researched literature about national and international shared pathways, interviewed nine walkers and cyclists, and read Otago Daily Times letters to the editor.

Their project highlighted the ‘‘significant existing conflict’’ between walkers and cyclists on the shared pathway, which was further exacerbated during the COVID-19 lockdown and restrictions.

While conducting their interviews, they found most walkers wanted cyclists to use bells to warn other path users they were approaching.

But cyclists felt this was ineffective.

One walker, Michael, was concerned with the lack of bell-usage, especially from faster, racing bicycles.

‘‘If the bikes are coming up behind you at speed, they just need to ring the bell once and I’ll get out of their way,’’ he said.

James said cyclists who did not ring a bell were ‘‘virtually silent’’.

Many walkers had experienced ‘‘near misses’’ with cyclists, which made them feel unsafe on the pathway.

They...