Crazy pedestrians

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PJ79LIZARD

Über Member
Location
WEST MIDLANDS
This morning on the way into work on a busy road, a young chap about 15 looks straight into my eyes, as I approach him he just steps out as calm as you like, I brake swerve into the gutter as he continues walking towards on coming cars. The best thing is 10 metres down the road is a pedestrian crossing. The mentality of some people never fails to amaze me. I must admit the airzound did make him jump a bit though!
 

fossyant

Ride It Like You Stole It!
Location
South Manchester
I had a guy in a suit do similar this am. It's not a busy area for peds but the guy saw me, stepped on road, stopped, then continued. I was already committed going round the sweeping bend, adjusted trajectory, and he must have felt the gust of wind as I passed.
 

summerdays

Cycling in the sun
Location
Bristol
Not saying this is the case in your situation this morning, but some pedestrian crossings are badly sited and away from the pedestrians desire line.

There is one near me I can walk 100m down the road to cross at a pedestrian crossing which takes me to the wrong side of the road I want to be on so I have to cross that road too - so that is 4 buttons to cross the road (as they are all have an island in the middle). Alternatively at the previous set of lights with no pedestrian phase - I can choose my moment correctly when traffic is stopped and nip across first to the central island then to the other side. Its quicker - fine for an adult to do and I don't have to walk the extra bit. With a small child I would take the longer route.
 
I like that those who use desire lines are known as meanderthals.

There is some appalling design of pedestrian crossings, but try and remember these things are not there for the benefit of pedestrians but to keep traffic moving and designed by traffic engineers. Look at most road design from that view and it becomes clear that everything is secondary to traffic flow. Same applies to cycle facilities. Shared use pavements are there to get those pesky cyclists out of the way of motorised traffic, not to encourage cycle use.
Theres a small area in the centre of Hull, here, where there has been at least 2 pedestrian deaths since the street was redesigned when the shopping centre to the west was opened. It is a massively busy area for pedestrians, many of who don't wait for light changes and crossings are so congested with people (especially at moment with Xmas shopping) that the pedestrian phase is no were near long enough, thus lots still crossing late. Lots of people, buses, cars, dual carriageway. A poor combination.
 

summerdays

Cycling in the sun
Location
Bristol
I like that those who use desire lines are known as meanderthals.

Oh ... I didn't know that. There is a lovely desire line across some grass/common that runs about a quarter of a mile. It is just visible in winter time but come spring time it suddenly becomes clearly marked and can be seen on googlemaps. Pedestrians and cyclists use it rather than walk on the pavement about 40 yards to the east of it. I like the way it isn't completely straight but bends slightly and everyone follows the path marked by others footsteps.

Back on topic - I think some pedestrians like some car drivers look for cars and don't even see an approaching cyclist.
 

gambatte

Middle of the pack...
Location
S Yorks
Had it years back on the motorbike. Got onto a dual carriageway and 100 yards infront see a group of teens on the central res, about 11:30 at night. I couldn't tell if they were going to cross. The last 50(?) yards was a constant "Yes she is", "No she isn't" with one lass. With me accelerating and braking.
I was the only vehicle around, she'd crossed halfway and had stopped. 5 yards away, she started to cross again. I hit the brakes and stopped about 4" beyond where sher'd been. The front wheel had gone between her knees and the headlight hit her, knocked her on her **se.
Got up OK(?) and walked away.
 
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