Courtosy on the bike path?

I understand the frustration, but how frustrated and therefore how rude I get to be depends on the situation.  If it's a multi use path, my right to ride or skate is sadly just as strong as someone else's right to stand in the middle of the path and fix their hair.  In which case I suck it up and deal.  Note, I ride a MTB with slicks and average about 16 mph and I average about 10 mph on my skates.  However, if it is a bike path and there is a walking path next to it then it's a different story.  In this case if you are standing in the middle of the path, walking on the path, going the wrong way, or running on the path I will feel perfectly justified in yell at you to "MOVE".  Sorry these people have their own path and they would be equally upset if I started skating or biking down the middle of the walking/running path.  And I get that running with all the slow people walking is a pain, but suck it up and get out of my way.

The times I am on a path, I expect to slow down frequently for circumstances such as those you mention.  Doesn't really bug me since I figure I'm going to run into all sorts of things on a trail, and I'm making an explicit decision to take the trail in order to avoid vehicle traffic.  With the good comes the bad. 

I do have to say though that I don't understand people walking several abreast and not making any room for others coming from the opposite direction.  That's just a lack of courtesy or manners.  I encounter this walking on a trail at lunch, and it's not an unusual occurrence.

Although I would much prefer the road I usually ride on a multi-use path because my alternative in most cases is to either ride on the highway or residential streets (stop sign every 1-2 blocks) or drive to a better location.  I fully understand that the path is multi-use and therefore accept the fact that I may have to slow up a bit at times to get around traffic etc.  I also always announce my presence when passing so as not to scare anyone.  However, since we are talking about sharing the path why does it not work both ways?  It is clearly divided into two lanes with a dashed line down the center.  I don’t mind walkers, etc. in the right lane.  What gets me is the people that walk, bike, whatever in the wrong lane and then get mad when you try to pass them.  I am willing to share the path with them, I only expect the same courtesy in return.  

I have noticed that this problem does seem to vary greatly depending on where you are.  I spent a few months in Denver and rode on multi-use trails there and avid cyclists were the majority of the traffic.  Having only been riding in MN for a couple of weeks it is a much different experience.  Once I find a good route I will probably be getting off the trail.

My regular riding area involves multiuse paths and road... I find the my pace is slowed on the paths but I do try to get out early enough that the usual kids/families etc arent around but this isnt always the case!

In addition to this I always give people heaps of warning Im coming... with an 'on your right' (other side of the road here) and then when they move over I slow down, yell out a thank you or if they look a little worried I will smile and say something like 'just wanted to let you know I was here'.

Ive been thanked a few times for it as apparently not everyone is so polite! But if Im out riding over the main period of the day, especially on the weekend I just accept Im going to have to be a lot slower and ride defensively... will slow down if I see a group approaching and just assume they arent going to be the most helpful...

If Im feeling cheeky I will often call out 'Good Morning' ahead of me... being a nice person seems to convince people to be considerate

About the only people I get upset at are the other cyclists riding 2 or 3 wide using up the entire trial and don't move over when they see me coming or pay zero attention to someone coming up from behind. I will usually let them know that it's a pretty big trail.

I think whether you choose to ride your bike on the multi-use path or road depends quite a bit on the path and the kind of riding you're doing. Right where I live, we have a wonderful multi-use path, but it is not really suitable for zooming down on my road bike (narrow, not very smooth, very busy at times). I, and others, though, will use it to access the Natchez Trace Parkway because it's often safer and easier than taking the exit. Fortunately, nearly everyone is courteous, gives plenty of warning and room to pass. However, about 90 minutes south from where I live is a much longer multi-use path that is quite wide, marked down the middle, and perfectly suitable for riding the road bike at fairly good clips. Certainly, there are portions of the path that get a little busy, so it's necessary to slow down and be mindful, but it's a great path to ride on and a huge relief to not have to deal with cars for a change.