Pedestrian incident on Bristol Railway Path 15th Nov

[400bhp]

 

[400bhp]

I'm proud to live in the UK.

Heath Robinson lives.

Good jobs fellas.

 

[gentlegreen]

In the UK, with a tiny number of exceptions (of which this is not one), there are no cycle paths (that is, there are no paths that are designated cyclist's priority), there are pedestrian paths upon which cycles are tolerated guests. Pedestrians wouldn't need to wear high-vis if cyclists weren't there, so they shouldn't need to wear it when cyclists are there.

There is absolutely no reason for you not to see pedestrians, no matter how dark their clothing, unless you're going too fast and/or with inadequate lighting.

Oh come on, would you send a child out to walk to school these days in the dark in dark clothing with no hi-viz items - even using normal pavements and crossings ? (for instance)

As I hope I've made clear, it isn't appropriate to use high beams on a path like this - though I have a dip switch operable by my left thumb.. and I'll use it when the way ahead is clear - often as a means of indicating my presence to pedestrians and slower riders if I wish to pass them.

Of course I travel at an appropriate speed - and there is now low level ambient lighting all the way along - but I wouldn't dream of walking there at night in dark clothing an without a torch.

 

[400bhp]

1. Agree
2. Disagree

In the UK, with a tiny number of exceptions (of which this is not one), there are no cycle paths (that is, there are no paths that are designated cyclist's priority), there are pedestrian paths upon which cycles are tolerated guests. Pedestrians wouldn't need to wear high-vis if cyclists weren't there, so they shouldn't need to wear it when cyclists are there.

Is that really true? I'd thought "Shared use" meant that no party had priority over another?

 

[ianrauk]

Oh come on, would you send a child out to walk to school these days in the dark in dark clothing with no hi-viz items - even using normal pavements and crossings ? (for instance)

You mean like millions and millions of children do now and have had over the years gone by, without hi-viz?

This bloody country has gone hi-viz mad.
There is so much of it about that it has now become invisible to peoples eyes.

 

[gentlegreen]

Perhaps appropriately, this came to my mind :-

I have just moved to Oldland Common and at the back of my house is the Bristol to Bath cycle path. As it was such a nice day on Sunday my family and I decided to take a stroll along the path as it was the Avon VallEy Railway gala weekend. We had a wonderful day. However the day was ruined by foul mouthed, speeding arrogant cyclists.

There were five adults and three toddlers (on reigns I might add) and we all kept to one side of the track where possible but even then we felt unsafe by the speeds these people were going. Some would ring their bells but were going to fast for you to move out of the way and other just swore at us.

The worst offenders were the lycra brigade, they seem to think they own they place.

Cyclists do very well in Bristol, they've had millions of pounds spent on improving facilities . They pay no road tax or insurance and they seem to have free reign of the roads, pavements and cycle tracks without having any rules to go by. We have equal rights to this facility and cyclists should slow down, give us time to get out of the way and keep the foul language to themselves.

Shelley Sears

by mark1864

Tuesday, October 18 2011, 8:11PM

“Shelley -

Allow me to correct you on a few points here. Firstly, the Railway Path was built by a cycling organisation (now Sustrans), so without the dedication of keen cyclists, you wouldn't have a track to walk on which I would be grateful you keep in mind when generally tarring all cyclists with the same brush (doubtless why the EP editor picked your letter for publication.The EP just loathes cyclists).

Secondly, yes, cyclists have had a few million spent on improving facilities but that pales into insignificance to the billions car drivers have had spent on new roads/motorways etc over the last 30 years thus leading us into mass congestion. People have lost their homes through compulsory purchase simply so that roads can get built. Never known of that happening for cycle paths.

Thirdly, like most of the general public, you've fallen into the old trap by stating that cyclists don't pay road tax. It's true - nobody does. It was abolished in 1937. However, you're in good company. ITV, the BBC, AA have all made this mistake and UKIP continue to do so in their daft transport policy. Unfortunately, there are a few arrogant drivers out there who think that the road is just theirs and they like to make their point behind the wheel of about a ton of metal, glass and plastic. They also seem to think they can assimilate pavements and cyclepaths:


http://tinyurl.com/3ltypxo

Vehicle Excise Duty (VED), commonly called car tax, is now paid but doesn't in itself pay for the roads. The road network is paid for out of general taxation (income tax) and also local council taxes which cyclists pay and thus contribute to the roads. Furthermore, since VED is based on emissions and bicycles don't emit anything, cyclists are zero-rated for VED. So we don't pay any VED, just like the Royal Family (perhaps you should question why they are granted an exception?).

Many cyclists do have insurance, either special cycling insurance or through general life insurance which covers such activities. Members of the Cycle Touring Club have automatic insurance simply by being members.

Finally, just what is everyone's obsession with lycra?. Many cyclists wear it as functional and comfortable when riding and the vast majority are considerate to pedestrians.”

http://www.thisisbri...tail/story.html

 

[benb]

Is that really true? I'd thought "Shared use" meant that no party had priority over another?

Shared use paths are simply pedestrian paths that have been redesginated as shared use. It's still the cyclist's responsibility to avoid pedestrians, not the other way around. Of course, if a cyclist slows down, rings their bell (or otherwise makes the pedestrian aware of their presence) it is common courtesy for the pedestrian to make room if they can, but it is always the cyclist's responsibility to ensure they pass safely.

 

[benb]

Oh come on, would you send a child out to walk to school these days in the dark in dark clothing with no hi-viz items - even using normal pavements and crossings ? (for instance)

Of course I would. If they had to walk along a stretch of road with no pavement, then carrying a light or reflective of some sort would be a good idea though.

As I hope I've made clear, it isn't appropriate to use high beams on a path like this - though I have a dip switch operable by my left thumb.. and I'll use it when the way ahead is clear - often as a means of indicating my presence to pedestrians and slower riders if I wish to pass them.

Of course I travel at an appropriate speed - and there is now low level ambient lighting all the way along - but I wouldn't dream of walking there at night in dark clothing an without a torch.

In which case you ought to have no problem spotting pedestrians, even if dressed in black.

 

[Crackle]

This is my latest contraption, I only switch it on for two junctions on my journey home. Two roads that join from the left, and I am sick of the planks that just pull out in front of me. Never really sure if they have seen me and are just pushing out which is not that bad, or rather worryingly they just have not seen me at all.

So with this fitted I can light up their faces then surely they must know I'm there. No body has pulled out in the first week of wearing it. probably get splattered tonight after saying that

Yee Gods! Send out the bat signal.

 

[fatblokish]

Perhaps those cyclists to whom you were so foul-mouthed were able to see the peds because they had their lights properly adjusted.

You should extend your earlier apologies to these folk.

 

[gentlegreen]

Perhaps those cyclists to whom you were so foul-mouthed were able to see the peds because they had their lights properly adjusted.

You should extend your earlier apologies to these folk.

[media]
]View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1kgrkFmSgk[/media]


Actually, as is the case during daylight hours, a lot of those cyclists even when they see a pedestrian, won't use the full width of the path and pass too close and too fast.

One interpretation of a strobing light on a shared path - "get out of my way" :-

[media]
]View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMR1Ja3dZOA[/media]

 

[Bman]

 

[Mugshot]

That picture would be so much more effective if they doctored it so you could barely see the people in the first pic.
I am NOT suggesting that be safe be seen isn't a sound message BTW.

 

[benb]

Rule 3a. Don't mount the pavement in your car.

 

[gambatte]

Damn pedestrians. I bet none of 'ems read the highway cods before they stepped out of the door!
There ought to be tests before they're allowed to walk and how do you identify 'em if they have an accident? Registration and a tattoo on their foreheads I say!