[bikepacker67]

Point out the language suggestive of a head-on approach

She came upon a seven-year-old riding a bike. Behind the boy was his grandma, who was watching him while his parents were on a trip to New Orleans.

Think about it.

[ArrogantBustard]

I have been thinking about it.

It's not conclusive at all; I read it exactly opposite to you. As usual, newspaper reporters can't write for $#!+ ...

In either case, common sense strongly suggests reducing speed when approaching an unpredictable obstacle ... such as a kid, or a 'blader, or a dog.

I've seen this sort of incident too often on the W&OD trail. Pretentious arse on 'blades or four-figure race bike hollers "geddouttamyway" (or some such) and moves to pass without paying attention to the response of the person in front. You simply must stop if there's an obsruction you can't safely dodge. First responsibility is to not run into things.

I don't ride the W&OD any more ... too crowded.

[ArrogantBustard]

OBTW, I've seen 'bladers who take up more than 1/2 the width of the path. Not fatsos: tall folks seriously swinging their legs & arms.

[Oztrich Boy]

She came upon a seven-year-old riding a bike. Behind the boy was his grandma, who was watching him while his parents were on a trip to New Orleans.

And as there's no indication of his grandma, supervising, taking any action or issuning any instruction, chances are the first warning the boy and his grandma had was a shout from behind, "get out of my %%&*5#@ way!"