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Now, we don't want to get into another slanging match over cyclists not being careful when using public pathways. Been there, done that. So here's a brief mention that - following (in the Camden Gazette's words) "more than 10 incidents involving cyclists crashing into pedestrians at speed" since January - a towpath ranger has been appointed to bring order to the chaos of the Regent's Canal and ensure users respect the rules. Joseph Young's beat will cover Paddington to Limehouse Basin - so that small number of "speeding cyclists" (again, the Gazette) know where to avoid.
Ranger For Canal Cyclists
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I've been cycling between Limehouse and Victoria park most days around 8-9am and 5-7pm for the last 7 months or so. Although i was told by another cyclist that he'd seen a few cyclists end up in the canal (!), i haven't seen much incident. Even on the hottest days of this summer I was surprised by how un-busy the route was.
I would say to the joggers / runners using the canal, it's much more comfortable in the parks! (with less impact-damage to body-parts such as knees)
I'm on board with this so long as they give the Towpath Ranger a cool Regency-style uniform.
There's a trick to riding on the towpath, in addition to the two tings rule: when encountering anyone on foot, pass on the water side. Nobody is going to take a step towards the edge of the canal. It's not a rule, it's a matter of instinct, and the cyclist has to take the initiative.
I think it is a pretty small minority of cyclists who are stupid enough to be reckless on the towpaths-- it's frightening, dammit-- but I have definitely run across such specimens.
I've walked the towpath from Primrose Hill to King's Cross every weekday for over a year, during peak periods. In all those trips, I've only ever once met a discourteous cyclist, and never had a close shave with anyone going fast. Maybe I'm just lucky.