OK, so last week I was on my daily commute. The road I was on has a mixture of shared use pavements and painted cycle paths. No proper segregation between cyclists and pedestrians; they're always wandering obliviously into the cycle path.
I hate trying to negotiate around the pedestrians, so I'll usually cycle on the road (unless I'm feeling really tired and want a gentle pootle). It's a dual carriageway, so it's not like I'm blocking the road.
Anyway, I suddenly got a hoot on the horn from a dustbin lorry, who subsequently gestured at the path while it overtook me. I'm ashamed to say that I shouted "f*ck you" but it was more a shout of surprise at the beeping, I didn't really mean to swear at them.
Anyway the light ahead was red, one of them jumped out and had words with me for swearing, which I apologised for. he asked me why I didn't use the path, and I explained that it was dangerous for pedestrians at the speeds I went at. We didn't have time to go into it in detail, but I think I got my point across, but I was annoyed with myself that I didn't mention how dangerous it was for him to beep me like that. He seemed quite happy afterwards, but not sure if he understood my point at all, or changed his mind about the use of paths.
I'll have a look tonight at the video, see if it's worth putting up.
I hate trying to negotiate around the pedestrians, so I'll usually cycle on the road (unless I'm feeling really tired and want a gentle pootle). It's a dual carriageway, so it's not like I'm blocking the road.
Anyway, I suddenly got a hoot on the horn from a dustbin lorry, who subsequently gestured at the path while it overtook me. I'm ashamed to say that I shouted "f*ck you" but it was more a shout of surprise at the beeping, I didn't really mean to swear at them.
Anyway the light ahead was red, one of them jumped out and had words with me for swearing, which I apologised for. he asked me why I didn't use the path, and I explained that it was dangerous for pedestrians at the speeds I went at. We didn't have time to go into it in detail, but I think I got my point across, but I was annoyed with myself that I didn't mention how dangerous it was for him to beep me like that. He seemed quite happy afterwards, but not sure if he understood my point at all, or changed his mind about the use of paths.
I'll have a look tonight at the video, see if it's worth putting up.