Great dozy ped

[Crankarm]

Go back and read my post properly, go on, break the habit of a lifetime. I did slow down, and went behind her. I was watching her, and her brood from the moment they stepped out - I had maybe 20 yards clear view of them, so could easily see what was going on. There are always some people crossing blindly at that point, so I'm expecting it.

I was riding at 8-9mph max going across the junction, and slowed to walking pace to pass her.

So, I watch out, and I slow down, and she doesn't look once when she steps out, but just follows the person in front, and I'm the dangerous nutter?



Hackers, I'm well aware that we have the responsibility to look out for peds - hence I didn't hit her, but passed safely past. But it just amused/annoyed me that she never once looked in my direction - or indeed in the other. She was talking to one of the kids the whole time, looking at him. Not a hint of any awareness of traffic. It's a busy junction, with lots of buses and taxis, and as I said, a car behind me, so it's not as if she just glanced and missed the skinny profile of a cyclist.

As I said, if she wants to gamble with her life, that's one thing, but pushing a pram out without looking...

As HB suggested you should ride accordingly. From what you have stated it is very possibly the case that this lady and her children did not know you were approaching because 1) they did not look before they stepped out to cross on the crossing and 2) because mothers and their children often tend to be in a world of their own, oblivious to what is around them. Do you have children? Even when a controlled crossing is on green you should still be prepared to stop for pedestrians not try and run them down.

In this instance the onus was on you to ride cautiously and safely that you gave them adequate room. If you are cycling past or through areas where there are lots of pedestrians walking in all directions concentrating on other things rather than on an approaching cyclist then you have to make allowances for this. Cyclists going excessively fast or not according pedestrians sufficient consideration or anticipating that they may well step off pavements is selfish and inconsiderate cycling IMHO. And those cyclists that shout and abuse peds are just the pits. Cyclists recieve enough bad press without adding to it.

Perhaps you should cycle more defensively, a couple of friendly ting tings on your bell in future?

 

[potsy]

I think I'll alter my commute slightly because of this kind of thing,worst place is through Stockport town centre there is a cycle lane that runs down one particular road,thing is it's one way for traffic(buses and taxis only) and the cycle lane runs the opposite way,so even if the peds do look when they cross it's only to watch from the direction of the buses.
I always take it nice and slow there,but might be worth avoiding it altogether I think.

I do love the shocked expression on some of their faces though when they realise they have stepped out in front of 14 stone of cyclist

 

[Maz]

Peds have right of way...We are supposed to look out for them.

Agreed.

 

[al78]

Agreed.

Only in so far as drivers/riders have a duty to do as much as they can to avoid a collision.

Pedestrians (in fact everyone) have some responsibility for their own safety and a duty of care to ensure their actions don't harm other people.

 

[Norm]

...when they realise they have stepped out in front of 14 stone of cyclist

See, you bloody lightweight, get some pies down yer!

 

[Arch]

Perhaps you should cycle more defensively, a couple of friendly ting tings on your bell in future?

In most road situations, I prefer to keep my hands firmly on the bars and brakes, than reach for my bell. A vocal warning is fast and clear, and in that area, probably more audible than a 'friendly ting ting'.

You are determined to paint me as the villain here. Because I said loudly "Try looking next time!". Hardely abuse, i think. A helpful lesson, some might say. At no point was there any danger of me hitting her, because as I've said, I was anticipating, and riding carefully, and all that. My point, and I wish I hadn't bothered now, was her total lack of any precaution or care.

You've never shouted at anyone on the road? Funnily, I find that very hard to believe.

 

[Norm]

Trying to do this without getting into the midst of an already-emotional discourse, but...

In most road situations, I prefer to keep my hands firmly on the bars and brakes, than reach for my bell.

... I have my bell placed so I can reach it without moving anything other than my thumb. I only have a bell fitted on one bike (the MTB) because I frequently ride that one along the Thames where there is lots of traffic (ped and bike) and lots of sharp / hidden corners. I guess I use the thing about a dozen times every ride.

Oh, and I'd probably also use a vocal warning (a.k.a. "girlie scream") in a similar situation. Just that I was wondering how far you have to move to reach the bell.

 

[Arch]

Trying to do this without getting into the midst of an already-emotional discourse, but...
... I have my bell placed so I can reach it without moving anything other than my thumb. I only have a bell fitted on one bike (the MTB) because I frequently ride that one along the Thames where there is lots of traffic (ped and bike) and lots of sharp / hidden corners. I guess I use the thing about a dozen times every ride.

Oh, and I'd probably also use a vocal warning (a.k.a. "girlie scream") in a similar situation. Just that I was wondering how far you have to move to reach the bell.

Not far, not far at all, but to reach it with my thumb would probably mean releasing the brake on that side - probably due to having pretty small hands. I prefer to be using the brakes in that sort of situation. A shout is instant and requires no thinking/hand moving time. Usually it's 'whoa!' - a kind of reflex multi-purpose shout that expresses my surprise, and warns the other party. It was only because I had time in this situation that I tried to use words that applied.

On a shared use path I use the bell when I have more time to think and react, for example to warn someone I'm coming up behind them.

I always take care around pedestrians, but I think it's fair to occasionally tell them when they've been a bit careless. The other day a dog walker ahead of me walked through a pinch point on a bike path (one of those just wide enough for a bike to pass through) in front of me, and then stopped dead, too close to the gate for me to go round her. I was only going at walking pace behind her, but I had to jam the brakes on and my shout surprised us both. She apologised for stopping so suddenly, and I for startling her, and we went on our ways, no problem.

If I walked out without looking, in front of someone, I'd expect to get some grief.

 

[hackbike 666]

I must admit I expect peds to be careless now so I try and ride accordingly and am not really surprised anymore what they get up to...Sometimes they leave me in trepidation though.

 

[Crankarm]

In most road situations, I prefer to keep my hands firmly on the bars and brakes, than reach for my bell. A vocal warning is fast and clear, and in that area, probably more audible than a 'friendly ting ting'.

You are determined to paint me as the villain here. Because I said loudly "Try looking next time!". Hardely abuse, i think. A helpful lesson, some might say. At no point was there any danger of me hitting her, because as I've said, I was anticipating, and riding carefully, and all that. My point, and I wish I hadn't bothered now, was her total lack of any precaution or care.

You've never shouted at anyone on the road? Funnily, I find that very hard to believe.

Is this an admission ?

 

[BentMikey]

Give over already, Crankarm, please.

 

[atbman]

Crankarm, would you please point out, line by line, what, exactly, Arch did wrong? I'd love to know, because I've read her account and cannot, for the life of me, understand what your criticism is based on

 

[Crankarm]

Crankarm, would you please point out, line by line, what, exactly, Arch did wrong? I'd love to know, because I've read her account and cannot, for the life of me, understand what your criticism is based on

Well I suggest you re-read it from the perspective of a cautious prudent cyclist with the HC in mind and consider what I and others have suggested.

 

[Crankarm]

[QUOTE 1163475"]
I'm just wondering if you actually like anything Crankarm 'cause it seems that you have a 'problem' with just about everything - in particular me mate Arch.

Arch has said quite clearly that she could see the ped, slowed because of said ped but mentioned that the ped should look. If Arch was a car and the ped got run over then some people no doubt will be saying that the ped should have been looking where they are going.

The HC mentions that peds are the most vulnerable road users and therefore you should give way to them. But as Tynan has said peds that walk blindly out into the road on the assumption that traffic will stop for them are just asking for trouble. I was in London today in a truck behind a cab when the lights went green just as a load of people tried to cross in front of the cab and almost got flattened - why? Are they completely stupid? Did they forget the green cross code that they learnt as children?

Honestly some peds have a death wish, it's blind ignorance, nothing else.
[/quote]

So are you suggesting that pedestrians who step into the road deserve to be run down either by you in your truck or by Arch on her bike because they inconvenience you ?

It's quite simple. One has to drive or cycle in a manner that makes allowance for those around and if necessary be prepared to stop. Of all people I thought you would have appreciated this being a stickler for the HC.

As for,

I'm just wondering if you actually like anything Crankarm 'cause it seems that you have a 'problem' with just about everything

This is irrelevant. The issue is of inconsiderate cycling.

 

[Crankarm]

[QUOTE 1163479"]
LOLOL! Please point out where I say that, bearing in mind it was you that said 'that the next truck has my name on it' a couple of weeks ago. Honestly Crankarm my little finger has more wit and brain power then your entire mind. What was that little finger? Really? Ooer missus! Little finger says that you don't know what you are talking about and should stop now or little finger will get very angry.
[/quote]

You know you have lost the argument as you have already resorted to personal insults.