I'm not bloomin' psychic!

[Nigeyy]

Commuting home today in the dark, I go along a multi-use trail through a park. As I'm cycling along and coming up to a blind corner, I hear someone call out to get their dog.

When I come around the corner, I see two woman dressed in dark clothing in my bike light, and one of them has a teeny red light (goodness knows how they could see their way on the path). I slow down, and basically go past them at a very slow speed (the light I have on is at its lowest setting so not to blind), keeping an eye on their dogs. Keeping in mind I have front and rear lights, a reflective hi-viz vest, reflectors, etc -one of the women calls out in what I can only call an indignant tone: "next time, can you give us a warning"

The best I could do was just call out "I didn't see you". Course, in retrospect I wish I'd stopped and said "I'm not bloomin' psychic. You're walking along on a blind corner in pitch black darkness with the smallest of lights in dark clothing. How do I know you're around that corner?". I'm now imagining myself cycling along on my commute continuously shouting out "bike coming through! bike coming through!"......

Honestly, what a strange thought process!

 

[Nebulous]

I use a cycle path with a right angled corner. At one side is one of those metal railings they use to stop pedestrians walking into the road. At the other side is a fence belonging to the house at the corner. I have a fear of meeting a bike coming at speed on the corner and have taken to shouting "Bike!" as I approach. I don't know what the householder must think, or whether anybody else does the same. By and large I'm a reluctant cycle path user, preferring the road.

 

[Steve H]

Always worth giving a polite shout or ring of the bell on a shared use path on a blind corner

 

[SomethingLikeThat]

I was passing a group of horseriders yesterday along a fairly busy road. I didn't say anything as I went past and was told that I needed to shout beforehand...always thought that was a bit rude.

 

[Drago]

She was approaching the same blind corner as well, yet hadn't given a warning.

I always say "coming up behind" when about to overtake a horse. Ok, you could argue they should have seen me and be prepared if their observation skills are any good, but they seem to appreciate the spirit in which the warning is given, and anything that warms the relationship between minority vulnerable road users had got to be worthwhile.

 

[400bhp]

 

[Sandra6]

How many times have you rounded a corner on foot and almost collided with someone coming the other way? It happens.
There is one point on the shared use cycle path I use regularly with a blind corner and a bridge to pass under, I generally give a tinkle of the bell incase anyone is coming the other way.

 

[fossyant]

Next time, round the bend with the lights on max , then turn them down when their eyes have fried !

 

[Cyclopathic]

Why don't you just get your butler to run in front of you with a torch and a flag like any ordinary person would? You can also use him to give people a biff if they decide to get uppity.

 

[Miquel In De Rain]

You need to be physic with some of the comedians out there.

 

[wiggydiggy]

...........: "next time, can you give us a warning"..........

Sure, use any of these as warnings to pass on:

• When flying, shouting 'Dammit the fuse won't light' is generally frowned upon
• Jimmy Saville fancy dress is generally unpopular in Leeds ATM
• Attempting to enter the 3:10 at Aintree on a 40 year old pack mule will not yield favourable odds

I'm sure you can think of some of your own to share next you need to pass someone who needs a warning.

 

[Davidsw8]

Commuting home today in the dark, I go along a multi-use trail through a park. As I'm cycling along and coming up to a blind corner, I hear someone call out to get their dog.

When I come around the corner, I see two woman dressed in dark clothing in my bike light, and one of them has a teeny red light (goodness knows how they could see their way on the path). I slow down, and basically go past them at a very slow speed (the light I have on is at its lowest setting so not to blind), keeping an eye on their dogs. Keeping in mind I have front and rear lights, a reflective hi-viz vest, reflectors, etc -one of the women calls out in what I can only call an indignant tone: "next time, can you give us a warning"

The best I could do was just call out "I didn't see you". Course, in retrospect I wish I'd stopped and said "I'm not bloomin' psychic. You're walking along on a blind corner in pitch black darkness with the smallest of lights in dark clothing. How do I know you're around that corner?". I'm now imagining myself cycling along on my commute continuously shouting out "bike coming through! bike coming through!"......

Honestly, what a strange thought process!

And if you ring your bell or exclaim something she'd probably have been equally indignant about that, you can't win. I've had the oddest reactions from tinkling my bell ranging from gratitude to out-right contempt.

 

[Arjimlad]

You could always sing as you ride along, I sometimes find myself exploring the subtle semitones of Mama Cass of a dark night..it would proabbly give them some warning.

 

[Nigeyy]

I agree -except the shared path I use is more like the width of a road -and it was pitch black at the time, I'm on the correct side of the path, going at (I think) a reasonable speed and they saw me first (hence their reigning in of their dogs) because of my light. I really would be continuously shouting like a maniac given the number of trees and bushes there are too if I gave a shout for every corner or obscured view I have.

I do think there's a little onus on them to be well lit (I certainly was). Or at least for them to shout out at every blind corner "dog walker coming through, dog walker coming through..." FWIW, I am one of those riders who when coming up to a person to overtake (whether a pedestrian or another cyclist) will call out.

Always worth giving a polite shout or ring of the bell on a shared use path on a blind corner

 

[fossyant]

No onus for peds or dogs to be lit, so best go with good hardwear and zap em !