Manchester - Female cyclist pushed into canal by man

[wiggydiggy]

In hindsight, yes. TBH, I used to commute down there much faster than she was going. Only stopped doing it daily as the mud was eating drive chains and brake pads at an alarming rate. I'd never had any issues - come to think of it it may be on the Ashton canal near a bit known on strava as "dog poo alley" I think, or I used to call it that. The majority of the Ashton canal is surfaced.

If its Ashton then I confused myself earlier and I have cycled it, did as part of a trilogy of rides crossing Lancs<>Yorks on the three canals (Leeds/Liverpool, Rochdale, Ashton/Huddersfields). It was over 10 years ago now so looking back at my photos it probably looks a lot different to what it is today.

But doing some digging and there is no NCN route along it, or on the nearby roads. But I'm not familiar at all with that part of Greater Manchester and couldn't say if thats the best commuter route to be choosing. I'm guessing but the A662 looks like it runs parallel for most of the route but street view on that road shows parked cars, no cycle lanes and tram lines forcing you into the door zone. I can understand someone choosing to commute on the canal.

 

[Alex321]

Whether you would have waited or she should have waited, he pushed her in the canal which is at least GBH. Just how do you justify that. Whatever his beef his resulting behaviour is completely inexcusable and anyone who thinks otherwise needs their bumps feeling.

Assault, possibly causing ABH, but certainly not GBH. As you say, completely inexcusable, and if identified and found guilty, needs the maximum punishment for whichever offence it is classed as.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

Whether you would have waited or she should have waited, he pushed her in the canal which is at least GBH. Just how do you justify that. Whatever his beef his resulting behaviour is completely inexcusable and anyone who thinks otherwise needs their bumps feeling.

exactly
maybe she was going too fast - if so then not by much
maybe she started to slow down a bot late - maybe not - but she did
she did stop
and the other people remained blocking the whole path
and the dog was not scared or worried

but whatever
pushing herr into the canal was WAY beyond reason - and he was lucky she didn;t land on something and get injured
there is a lot of rubbish in canals

he needs catching and charging

 

[steveindenmark]

Whether you would have waited or she should have waited, he pushed her in the canal which is at least GBH. Just how do you justify that. Whatever his beef his resulting behaviour is completely inexcusable and anyone who thinks otherwise needs their bumps feeling.

Well its not GBH and I did not try to justify it, if you read my previous posts. If he is caught he will possibly be charged with ABH and possibly criminal damage.

 

[fossyant]

The Ashton canal is one recommended by our cycling group at work - it's not bad at all, and not as muddy as the Peak. A few cobbled climbs at the locks, but that adds to the fun. It's not that busy, unless it's a warm sunny afternoon.

 

[Webbo2]

Well its not GBH and I did not try to justify it, if you read my previous posts. If he is caught he will possibly be charged with ABH and possibly criminal damage.

Sorry my mistake.
I think an appropriate trial would be by ducking stool, if he survives he’s burnt at the stake.🔥

 

[fossyant]

Also, East and South East Manchester are sadly lacking in decent cycle routes. You need to be confident using Ashton Road, or Ashton Old Road going into Manchester, and it's not pleasant. The canal is lovely TBH. The bloke is a bully, and an angry one with behaviour problems. The dog looked well behaved. It looked shocked at his actions.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

Anyone else's first thought (after WHAT??) was "wonder how the camera survived?"

 

[cyberknight]

Just checked this on the Daily Mail website

OK - it is the DM
but apparently ALL cyclists deserve this and NO cyclist should be allowed on any path of any kind ever

and we are all evil and in league with the Devil (other evil deities are available)
or so it seems from the general tone of many of the comments


sometime I just look on there - just to see the other side of sanity

Anything posted by the daily mail is going to pander to that sort of opinion anyway.its always amazes me how cyclists are always at fault. Local facefluff page telling people where speed cameras are descending quickly into cyclists speed and jump red lights as a reason why speed cameras are bad for motorist's comes to mind.

 

[wiggydiggy]

Anyone else's first thought (after WHAT??) was "wonder how the camera survived?"

It might have been an action camera, so waterproof, or if it did break then the memory card was still ok (after drying it out of course).

Oh and this is really making me rethinking getting a camera.

 

[Drago]

Oh and this is really making me rethinking getting a camera.

It's worth remembering it didn't stop this woman becoming a victim and as yet has not been much use as an aid to detection.

 

[ktmbiker58]

On my local canal towpaths there are plenty of signs reminding cyclists to give way to pedestrians. I've been riding them for years with no issues but I always stop and pull my bike to the side, quite often pedestrians have waved me on as I am slowing.

From the CRT website:

The Towpath Code​

Remember: Share the Space, Drop your Pace, It's a Special Place
Please be thoughtful and considerate when using towpaths.
The following applies:

• Pedestrians have priority
• Cyclists must slow down for others
• Take extra care when passing people, pets and wildlife
• Respect people using the waterway for activities like angling, boating or paddle sports
• Wheelchairs, mobility aids, cycles and legal e-bikes are allowed
• E-scooters, motorbikes, modified e-bikes and other unauthorised vehicles are not allowed
• Keep dogs under close control and clean up after them
• Take litter home

 

[ktmbiker58]

Regarding cameras - it's a 2 way street and motorists submitting footage have found themselves in trouble as their own driving was questionable.

 

[Webbo2]

On my local canal towpaths there are plenty of signs reminding cyclists to give way to pedestrians. I've been riding them for years with no issues but I always stop and pull my bike to the side, quite often pedestrians have waved me on as I am slowing.

From the CRT website:

The Towpath Code​

Remember: Share the Space, Drop your Pace, It's a Special Place
Please be thoughtful and considerate when using towpaths.
The following applies:

• Pedestrians have priority
• Cyclists must slow down for others
• Take extra care when passing people, pets and wildlife
• Respect people using the waterway for activities like angling, boating or paddle sports
• Wheelchairs, mobility aids, cycles and legal e-bikes are allowed
• E-scooters, motorbikes, modified e-bikes and other unauthorised vehicles are not allowed
• Keep dogs under close control and clean up after them
• Take litter home

I might be missing something here but what is the relevance of the above.

 

[Alex321]

Anyone else's first thought (after WHAT??) was "wonder how the camera survived?"

No.

I assume it was a GoPro or similar action camera, and they are normally waterproof to some depth.