Obviously I didn't know he was a new cyclist at the time.
Over about a mile or so he was snaking on and of the pavement, through pedestrian crossing, RLJ'd a couple of times.
Eventually, he passed me at a set of light, and I could see the big smirk on his face that he'd passed me for the 4th time.
When I caught up with I explained that his cycling mode was unsafe for him and pedestrians, but also it made the roads generally less safe for all cyclists as some motorists become careless and ambivelent when they encounter this riding strategy.
He said he was sorry and explained it was his first day cycling. I felt a little deflated by this, I'd given an earful when I really wanted to encorauge him. He was riding in the rain in a wet shirt, so I sent him on his way with some advice that he could pick up a cheap rain jacket from Aldi - he seemed grateful and went of on the road.
After he'd gone I felt there was so much more to tell him about staying safe. And then I was saddened by just how little people know about safety and cycling.
Over about a mile or so he was snaking on and of the pavement, through pedestrian crossing, RLJ'd a couple of times.
Eventually, he passed me at a set of light, and I could see the big smirk on his face that he'd passed me for the 4th time.
When I caught up with I explained that his cycling mode was unsafe for him and pedestrians, but also it made the roads generally less safe for all cyclists as some motorists become careless and ambivelent when they encounter this riding strategy.
He said he was sorry and explained it was his first day cycling. I felt a little deflated by this, I'd given an earful when I really wanted to encorauge him. He was riding in the rain in a wet shirt, so I sent him on his way with some advice that he could pick up a cheap rain jacket from Aldi - he seemed grateful and went of on the road.
After he'd gone I felt there was so much more to tell him about staying safe. And then I was saddened by just how little people know about safety and cycling.