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I often found I could hear the first, but not the second biker. Those were the ones that nearly got me a couple of times.After just returning home from walking the Camino Frances I would like to urge all bikers to get a bell for your bikes. So many times a was scared by bikers "sneaking" up from behind. I know you are not really sneaking up, it's just that we couldn't hear you coming, and when the trail is narrow dangerous things can happen. So, please get a bell and use it to pass walking pilgrims. Buen Camino!
Human ears hear sound mostly from the front and side. Sound from behind does not generally get through. But thanks for helping; fast moving bicycles can give hikers a heart attack.And I would say that 90% never heard us. I can't recommend not to buy a bell, it did help the few times someone actually acknowledge our signal.
Sorry , yes I realise that my wording is confusing. Of course on the road the cars will pass the bike to the left. However the pedestrian should be walking facing the oncoming traffic which means that all traffic, including bikes will pass them in either direction on the pedestrians right.Tia, I am a bit confused regarding your advice to pass on the right. Don't cars drive on the right side of the road in Spain and so it is more natural to pass on the left?
Having just got back from cycling part of the camino I can sympathise with walkers and cyclists on this issue.
I haven’t seen this commented on in many places but if you cycle in the evening, say 5pm – 8pm the camino is a totally different place. The pilgrims disappear to be replaced by a few locals takng a stroll/riding their bikes and the occasional incredibly free spirited pilgrim who is walking to their own rhythm. Basically you get the camino to yourself
Bikers:- remember too that when walkers who have been doing much road walking on the Camino do hear you they will most likely step to the left as in a traffic situation. Just as you would expect a car to pass you safely in Spain please pass walkers on their right. Walkers if you have not thought about this then please give it consideration too and keep left - which is probably what Spanish bikers expect. The situation where people go in different directions to what is expected is part of the problem I think. Bells were appreciated by us as were the shout of 'x' number more - or a thanks from the last biker.
Edited to try to clarify my confusing wording. See more below.
I say again:- pedestrians should be walking facing the traffic when on the road. This means that they are walking on the left hand side of the road and when keeping out of the way of traffic will step to their left and be passed on their right. This may create a reaction when being passed anywhere by wheeled transport to move out of the way, to the left, and expecting to be passed on the right. This is regardless of which way the wheeled transport is travelling, towards or in the same direction as the pedestrian.Hi Tia Valeria, I am a little confused. I thought driving on Spain roads is on the right so overtaking is on the left, and on that basis cyclists would also overtake on the left. .? Regards Geoff
I suppose if you're from the UK that confuses the situation even further! Right - left?Bikers:- remember too that when walkers who have been doing much road walking on the Camino do hear you they will most likely step to the left as in a traffic situation. Just as you would expect a car to pass you safely in Spain please pass walkers on their right. Walkers if you have not thought about this then please give it consideration too and keep left - which is probably what Spanish bikers expect. The situation where people go in different directions to what is expected is part of the problem I think. Bells were appreciated by us as were the shout of 'x' number more - or a thanks from the last biker.
Edited to try to clarify my confusing wording. See more below.
I suppose if you're from the UK that confuses the situation even further! Right - left?
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