On the busy stretch of canal towpath that I use every day (mostly on foot but sometimes cycling) I see the following: rats, blackbirds, magpies, crows, moorhens, ducks, swans, cats, dogs with walkers, otters, pedestrians, anglers, magnet anglers, drunks, herbalists, partying teens/adults, kids on push scooters, electric scooters, wheelchairs, mobility scooters, motorbikes (trials and motocross), cyclists, joggers, and even drone operators. On the canal itself there are barges, leisure boats, kayaks, etc. In the main everybody tries and succeeds in working with each other to keep flow reasonably good. I don't see much hostility at all. As someone said earlier, the trick is stay aware of what is happening in front and behind you. The regulars are good at this, the infrequent towpathers are less good, and some people are too wrapped up in their own shizz to bother at all. Bike width isn't an issue unless they have those MTBs with ultra-wide handlebars (or under a bridge). I can only bring myself to get annoyed at litter(there are bins every km or so), mostly from the McD's but especially broken glass (wildlife and children!), dog muck left behind (chilldren and cyclists!), and anyone who hassles the wildlife or is inconsiderate of it (dogs not controlled, kids throwing stuff at animals
).
