Pedestrian incident on Bristol Railway Path 15th Nov

[gentlegreen]

This is starting to sound a bit too much like a Daily Fail " 'elf and safety" "story"..

I'm over 50, ex-biker - look a bit like Grant Mitchell's long lost brother, and I still can't see the problem with wearing high viz when walking a significant distance.

I cycle 4 miles to work and if I walk - using different, but also shared paths, I wear the same jacket and waistcoat.

Perhaps it's because health and safety has been an important part of my job for at least 30 years.

 

[Mad at urage]

Simply part of the campaign* to keep people dependent on the car culture, by making out that walking (like cycling) is so dangerous that it requires Special Protective Clothing. Keeping people in fear of moving about without their protective cocoon of metal. I'm sure that if dressing as those on the right-hand picture do became normal, the HC would start showing people in crash-protective clothing and advising pedestrians to dress in half inch of polystyrene in case a motor vehicle accidentally hits them.


*I do believe this is a campaign orchestrated by the marketing arms of motor manufacturers, yes. Along with selling the idea that anything unlit is 'asking' to be hit by a motor vehicle.

 

[gentlegreen]

But it isn't just motor vehicles.

Every evening I cycle through a park and you only know there are dog walkers because the dogs wear flashing LEDs...

It's a bit like an argument I had a while back where I confessed to signalling - whether in a car or on a bike, even if I didn't know for certain that there was anyone to see it.

I was accused of being an incompetent driver / cyclist.

 

[Mad at urage]

Simples, don't cycle at a speed that you cannot stop in the distance you can see to be clear (and reasonably expect to remain so - which means all those trees near the path are passed slowly).

If you can't see it is clear, there may be a pedestrian there, unlit. So cycle at a speed as if there is. I.e. slowly, walking pace if necessary.

 

[benb]

It's a bit like an argument I had a while back where I confessed to signalling - whether in a car or on a bike, even if I didn't know for certain that there was anyone to see it.

I was accused of being an incompetent driver / cyclist.

Nothing wrong with that.
If I'm quite sure no-one is there to see, then I won't bother, especially on the bike.

 

[gambatte]

On a twisting country lane with no pavement, I'd probably agree with the RH pic. If I knew that was the way I was going I'd be wearing light clothes and be prepared to dive into the hedge.

However, the pic shows them on a pavement.............. Hi viz? TBH, nah

 

[gentlegreen]

Nothing wrong with that.
If I'm quite sure no-one is there to see, then I won't bother, especially on the bike.

Well yes, on a bike, cagers are wont to not GAF in any case.

I'm getting close to fitting indicators on my bike - rear ones at least - initially for a couple of right turns where I would soomer keep my hands on the bars ...

 

[Mozzy]

Amazing how it all changes in the space of a day. Did a quick 25 miler this afternoon and was getting a bit dimpsy on the way back, so on went all the lights (had already had rears on and front hub working. Forgot they were all on and did the canal path back from Taunton to where I live. Lady with two dogs stopped me and said .... "I must say seldom have I come across such a caring cyclist who I could see from miles away. Your horn also is so loud and I felt the need to praise you." Made my day that did AND she called me YOUNG man!!!! Yee bloody har, ave some of that.

I been down to LBS to see if I could find yet more to make me visible. Had another light in my hand but decided enough is 'probably' enough. Front is OK, plenty visible with no dazzling and rear is bright; and again not too in yer face. Oh, and overtook a JCB doing 15mph (he was that is, no, not on the canal path) that was after.

So that was my pedestrian incident for the day. Hmmm, she was rather nice looking as well

Mozzy

 

[gambatte]

You'll be getting complaints from local astronomers next!

 

[fatblokish]

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.

a) Yes, my daughter manages just fine without hi-viz, and even manages to arrive at school safely without being subjected to nasty and obscene vitriol such as yours.
b) Your choice. But just don't expect me or others to follow your bizarre behaviour.
c) If you cannot see peds with your lighting set up then you are going too fast and are a danger to those around you. Whilst it may be safer for peds to wear hi-viz, it remains their choice whether to do so..better yet, they may wish to remain at home in even greater safety if you are on the B2B path.

 

[gentlegreen]

a) Yes, my daughter manages just fine without hi-viz, and even manages to arrive at school safely without being subjected to nasty and obscene vitriol such as yours.
b) Your choice. But just don't expect me or others to follow your bizarre behaviour.
c) If you cannot see peds with your lighting set up then you are going too fast and are a danger to those around you. Whilst it may be safer for peds to wear hi-viz, it remains their choice whether to do so..better yet, they may wish to remain at home in even greater safety if you are on the B2B path.

All the better if I eventually get the path all to myself.

I'll be using the path for the next 10 years until hopefully I take myself and my bike to France, so no doubt our paths will cross in the flesh at some point.

 

[fatblokish]

All the better if I eventually get the path all to myself.

QED.

 

[gentlegreen]

Oh well, choose my first response if you prefer - say "hello !" if we meet on the path ... (unless you aim a 3 watt Cree in my eyes)

 

[Mugshot]

Amazing how it all changes in the space of a day. Did a quick 25 miler this afternoon and was getting a bit dimpsy on the way back, so on went all the lights (had already had rears on and front hub working. Forgot they were all on and did the canal path back from Taunton to where I live. Lady with two dogs stopped me and said .... "I must say seldom have I come across such a caring cyclist who I could see from miles away. Your horn also is so loud and I felt the need to praise you." Made my day that did AND she called me YOUNG man!!!! Yee bloody har, ave some of that.

I been down to LBS to see if I could find yet more to make me visible. Had another light in my hand but decided enough is 'probably' enough. Front is OK, plenty visible with no dazzling and rear is bright; and again not too in yer face. Oh, and overtook a JCB doing 15mph (he was that is, no, not on the canal path) that was after.

So that was my pedestrian incident for the day. Hmmm, she was rather nice looking as well

Mozzy

This deserves a response, well done you and well done pretty lady!
Compliments from an admirer and scalping a JCB in the same afternoon, go Mozzy
I assume you noted the time and the route so that you can "bump" into her for a chat again?

 

[Mozzy]

This deserves a response, well done you and well done pretty lady!
Compliments from an admirer and scalping a JCB in the same afternoon, go Mozzy
I assume you noted the time and the route so that you can "bump" into her for a chat again?

Duly noted I did.

I think it was because I slowed to a virtual stop to ease her passage past me that prompted the praise; but I try to do that for everyone anyway. Yes … she was a fine looking lady

I've now gotten into standing on the pedals quite a bit which has seen my average speeds shoot right up; it is like running and pedalling all at the same time. Also took out a road fella earlier on in the afternoon; I was doing 22mph on the flat and whooshed past; mind; he was probably taking a breather before getting back up to 30mph. Never mind, it made me feel good.

Mozzy