Sir, – Jack Morrissey (March 28th) gives some sensible advice for cyclists using the new Waterford Greenway. The new greenway is clearly a wonderful amenity, tastefully designed and with adequate signage. It is a credit to all involved. One quibble however. On entering the greenway at Dungarvan and one assumes similarly at the Waterford end, the signage instructs all users to cycle or walk on the left and pass on the right. Although the Waterford Greenway is not a road, I would suggest that instructing walkers to walk on the left when using it is instinctively contrary to what all of us have grown up with and presumably what parents tell their children about walking – you walk on the right facing the traffic. It would appear to make eminent sense for the same rule to apply on the greenway and I, for one, am at a loss as to why walkers are instructed otherwise. Walking on the left on the greenway leaves the walker “looking over their shoulder” and always conscious of what may be coming behind. Walking on the right side, which is learned behaviour, causes no such problem and allows the walker and oncoming cyclists to see each other, with the onus on the cyclist to move to the outside to pass. The present instruction for walkers leaves using the greenway less safe for all. – Yours, etc,
NOEL HOWARD,
Kilworth,
Co Cork.