Bike paths and trails: It’s OK to take it easy. Really.

We’ve all been there.

Cycling peacefully at a modest clip, enjoying the sights, sounds and smells of a local bike trail or multi-use path when from out of nowhere — OUT OF NOWHERE! — some mook who thinks he’s Egan Bernal blows by so fast and close it jolts your leg hairs.

Once recovered from the blast of the draft, you realize just how nasty the incident might have been for everyone involved, including anyone within a 20-foot radius, if one of you made the wrong move at precisely the wrong time.

And it’s not a good feeling. It can rattle you for the rest of the ride. Instead of basking in a quiet sunset along with the hum of sprockets and gears, you become skittish as a prairie dog, constantly craning your neck, peeking over your shoulder, looking for the next rocket man or woman to rip by.

There’s a time and a place for everything, and a bike path is probably not the best venue to train for a century road race.

While there are plenty of skills to work on and hone for the open road, here are some things to consider when riding the multi-modal.

Coexist; don’t compete

Multi-use paths by very definition are built for a variety of interests, some of which are in outright conflict with hardcore road training. Cyclists, skaters, joggers, human walkers, dog walkers are all traveling the same narrow stretch of pavement. Usually in both directions. And all of them have their own agendas.

If Rover sees a squirrel on the other side of the path and leaps into your line while you’re ramping up a kick, there’s going to be an issue.

First and foremost, slow it down. If there’s a long, clear line of sight and no traffic, foot or otherwise, ahead, it might be OK to crank it up a bit. Otherwise, low and slow is the better practice.

If you have to slow to a walking pace, do it. Keep your hands on the brakes.

You can’t take back a collision.

Let ’em know you’re coming

Make some noise. Give cyclists and pedestrians ahead plenty of advance notice of your pending arrival. Barking “ON YOUR LEFT!” ringing a bell or any other form of considerate communication will go a long way in keeping everyone in proper order and avoiding at best emergency evasive action or at worst a crash. Make sure everyone has time to react.

Be on the right (correct) side

For those out for a pleasant afternoon ride, it helps to understand that proper cycling etiquette rides right and passes left. Hold your line so overtaking riders can predict what’s about to happen. Riding three-abreast on a multi-use path chews up real estate and transforms the Pennsy Trail into I-465 at rush hour. The room for error diminishes exponentially.

Let everyone ride, walk and enjoy.

Signal before you move; look before you leap

Erratic riding, abruptly breaking right or left, or stopping unexpectedly without first checking behind you will inevitably lead to a bad result if practiced enough.

Get in the habit of looking behind for oncoming riders and signaling your intentions well in advance to keep everyone happy and safe.

No loitering (on the path)

When it’s time to catch your breath or just smell the roses, breathe deeply from the side of the path. Pull completely off to chat, drink, rest or relax and keep the route clear.

Rep well

As a serious cyclist, remember that you represent the cycling community any time you’re out. Represent it well. Be polite. Smile. Wave. Encourage. Be a credit to the pack.

Blasting along hell-bent on a training agenda in the midst of others who have no reason to be in that same mental space makes neither you nor your fellow road racers look good to the recreational rider.

Consideration and a sincerely friendly attitude show you care about others and you care about the sport. You can be serious and still be nice.

Safe and professional; courteous and gracious. Or rude and egocentric. Either way people are watching. People will see.

The choice is ours.