Pedestrian incident on Bristol Railway Path 15th Nov

[Hip Priest]

If I was shouting at that many people in a five minute period I'd probably take a long, hard look at myself.

 

[Mozzy]

Up to a point, but walking it dressed in black is taking the urine quite frankly. When the Fishponds section was unlit you would encounter double buggies - as well as ninjas ..

When I walked the path for a week last winter I wore hi-viz and carried lights - red and white.

Would you ride along a dual carriageway with just a shitty Halfords flasher ?
I don't consider it solely the responsibility of car drivers to see me - I apply what I learned as a driver and motorcyclist.

Oh booger, I just purchased some shitty Halfords flashers today to add to my tally of lighting. I'm looking like an illuminated Christmas tree now. Running out of space to have any more.

'Yoofs' are not the only problem. I don't know y=the path you refer to but the Taunton to Bridgie has had a few moments for me already. Yes, I slow to almost slow walking pace whenever I pass a person unless they see me and move across, at which juncture I always thank them whole heartedly. Today a lady with dog refused to move and so I stopped and let her walk by. She said (not shouted, just said) "You have no right riding a bicycle here; it is only for walkers." I did not bother to mention it is part of the National Cycle Network and carried on.

Yesterday on the way back from Taunton, two middle aged men refused to move; again, I stopped and had to endure their vented spleens at me. Later on an elderly man again refused to move over (these were all head ons BTW) I didn't want to ride on the grass as getting dog ess aitch one tee everywhere is not by current calling. I stopped, and pushed by while he grumbled about menacing effing cyclists; finishing off with the youngsters of today! And there am I pushing sixty!

Getting used to it now and seems to be the norm.

 

[gentlegreen]

If I was shouting at that many people in a five minute period I'd probably take a long, hard look at myself.

Oh dear, mustn't ever diss our "fellow" cyclists ?

Sure I look at myself.

I'm 51 years old - been riding that path since before most of these kids were born. Did a school cross country on part of it in the early 70s.

I've realised that the problem is I'm almost the only person heading towards town in the evening.

Isn't it common sense to aim your lamp at the crud on the ground and not into the eyes of oncoming cyclists ?

Kids these days are never told they're wrong and hence never learn good manners.

 

[Mugshot]

"You have no right riding a bicycle here; it is only for walkers." I did not bother to mention it is part of the National Cycle Network and carried on.

I think you should have pointed out that she was wrong in her assumption, equally politely of course.

 

[Hip Priest]

Oh dear, mustn't ever diss our "fellow" cyclists ?

That wasn't the point I was making. I just feel that if I was having verbal incidents that often I'd probably think 'is it me?'

Kids these days are never told they're wrong and hence never learn good manners.

Indeed. When they reach their 50s they'll probaby be riding along cycle paths effing and jeffing.

 

[fatblokish]

Oh dear, mustn't ever diss our "fellow" cyclists ?

Sure I look at myself.

I'm 51 years old - been riding that path since before most of these kids were born. Did a school cross country on part of it in the early 70s.

I've realised that the problem is I'm almost the only person heading towards town in the evening.

Isn't it common sense to aim your lamp at the crud on the ground and not into the eyes of oncoming cyclists ?

Kids these days are never told they're wrong and hence never learn good manners.

Fortunately for others your long-established use of the path gives you no special entitlements, and certainly not the right to be so offensive.

 

[hennbell]

1. Pedestrians have absolutely no responsibility whatsoever to be 'visible' on a cycle path. If you are unable to see a fully black clad pedestrian on a path then you're going to fast or your lights are too dim, or both.


I disagree, I think both parties have a shared responsibility
1: As a cyclist you should ride at a reasonable speed with appropriate lighting.
2: As a pedestrian you have a responsibility to ample efforts to make yourself visible especially if you are walking in the dark on a known cycle path.

If I am riding my bicycle on the road I make every effort to make myself as visible as possible.

Dave Campbell

Pedestrian for 40 years
Cyclist for 38 years

 

[gentlegreen]

That wasn't the point I was making. I just feel that if I was having verbal incidents that often I'd probably think 'is it me?'



Indeed. When they reach their 50s they'll probaby be riding along cycle paths effing and jeffing.

It tends to escalate depending on how many I encounter. During the summer they mostly don't spoil my enjoyment of Bristol's very best park.

The same riders are also wont to ride too close and too fast past pedestrians. I find myself shielding schoolkids and people towing kiddie trailers to discourage dangerous overtakes - just like on the road.

As I said, I go to extraordinary lengths to consider others.

Quite frankly the only commercial front light I would shell out for would be the Philips or a B&M - tragic that you have to pay so much.
There was one idiot last year with what must surely have been a 10 watt Magicshine - aimed fully horizontally.

 

[gentlegreen]

Fortunately for others your long-established use of the path gives you no special entitlements, and certainly not the right to be so offensive.

In the absence of anyone else giving a damn ...

 

[Mozzy]

I think you should have pointed out that she was wrong in her assumption, equally politely of course.

You're probably right but I couldn't think of a way to say it without offence being taken. The older I get the less I feel like sticking up for myself. Must be years of married life to one person. Oops, off topic, sorry all.

Mozzy

 

[gentlegreen]

You're probably right but I couldn't think of a way to say it without offence being taken. The older I get the less I feel like sticking up for myself. Must be years of married life to one person. Oops, off topic, sorry all.

Mozzy

On group rides I have a habit of letting slip slightly loudly which newspaper I think they probably read.

It can help when you have grey hair yourself though - but when you're riding a bike, people often seem to automatically take 10 years off your age...

 

[Mugshot]

You're probably right but I couldn't think of a way to say it without offence being taken. The older I get the less I feel like sticking up for myself. Must be years of married life to one person. Oops, off topic, sorry all.

Fair enough
I think it's a little bit of a shame that you had the opportunity to educate someone that seemed amiable, unlike the lads from the OP she may have been inclined to listen, done now though

 

[ufkacbln]

Gosh, where to start?

SO many things wrong with the fellow behind the camera. Use of profane and abusive language, assumption that peds should make themselves visible, believing that bar mounted lights must have a dipped facility...

BMW do make bikes!

 

[Mozzy]

Fair enough
I think it's a little bit of a shame that you had the opportunity to educate someone that seemed amiable, unlike the lads from the OP she may have been inclined to listen, done now though

Seen her a few times so will take your advice and pluck up courage to politely explain she is was not actually correct when next our paths cross. I actually think why I prefer to NOT say anything these days is experience of life over many decades has shown me that people just simply don't like being told they are wrong and will almost without exception insist they are correct even when they are wrong, knowingly or not as the case may be.

Shall do it though; you're right, I was wrong; conscience suitable pricked.

Mozzy

 

[gentlegreen]

BMW do make bikes!

I've always seen mine as more of a Volvo estate ... though the only car I really enjoyed owning was a 2CV - you could get a shedload of stuff in that.