Public Urged To Share L'Derry Pathways

Pedestrians and cyclists in L'Derry are being educated on how best to share public pathways and greenways through a council-charity partnership.

Whether you're a runner who often has to duck into the road to avoid a mother pushing a pram, or a pedestrian who finds themselves unintentionally in the way of cyclists- the reality is that many are unsure of how best to share pathways and respect the needs of others.

The One Path initiative offers practical advice on path etiquette and how walkers, runners, cyclists and dog walkers can share and enjoy local pathways and open spaces in harmony.

Derry City and Strabane District Council has teamed up with Sustrans to launch the campaign and encourage everyone to show courtesy towards fellow road users. Simple things like travelling at a suitable pace, to watching out for others who might not be aware of you, or ensuring your dog is kept under control can make a big difference.

A public gathering was held last week, Thursday 19 September, to begin educating people on how best to get the most out of shared spaces.

Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Michaela Boyle, said following the guidelines will help make everyone's experience of the north-west's greenways and paths an enjoyable one.

"Respecting everyone's journey on these spaces is very important and makes the entire experience more enjoyable for everyone," the Mayor said.

"This campaign has some really practical tips, like ringing your bell if you are out cycling to alert other path users to your presence, and thanking people who move aside to share the path.

"These are simple acts of courtesy that we sometimes take for granted, but they can make a huge difference."

Emma Hagger from Sustrans agreed it is vitally important that people respect the shared areas, as not doing so can have an impact on all other users.

"Shared paths and greenways are really popular and lots of people use them in different ways, especially with our expanding network that includes 80km of traffic-free routes. These public spaces serve groups with different needs at the same time.

"We spoke to around 200 users of the cities' shared paths and it was clear that everyone thought the paths were a fantastic addition to our District," Ms Hagger said.

"However, we did also hear from users about issues such as people not lifting dog mess, groups spread out across the path and not moving aside, dogs on extendable leads causing concern and cyclists not giving sufficient warning of approach.

"We hope this guidance will help all users have a great experience, whether you're walking the dog, out for a bike ride, on a leisurely stroll or commuting to work."

Want to know more? Click here for further details on the One Path initiative.



(JG/CM)