Pedestrians & earphones.

[simongt]

On my way to work this morning, I was travelling along a shared cycle path. Up ahead about sixty metres away, I observed a man walking his dog. I slowed down and rang my bell - an old style type, not a ping bell - several times in plenty of time for him to react safely. No response. So I yelled 'CYCLIST - !' quite loudly and the man nearly jumped out of his skin. Why - ? 'Cos the dozy sod was wearing earphones; serves him right - !

 

[Dan B]

I bet that made you feel really proud of yourself

 

[ianrauk]

What does shared cycle path mean to you?

 

[Markymark]

Oh dear. Well done at increasing the dick population by 1.

 

[LocalLad]

What would you guys suggest he should have done?

 

[Markymark]

If I walked passed would I shout 'pedestrian'?? No. If they couldn't hear me then I would cycle passed slow enough that I was as safe as a pedestrian. . That might be barely above walking speed.

I would not then brag on a forum about how I scared someone out if their wits whikst wearing headphones.

 

[Dan B]

What would you guys suggest he should have done?

"slow down " is usually (almost always , I'd say) a safe bet.

 

[Profpointy]

bloody pedestrians wearing headphones, no pedestrian helmets - don't pay no path tax nor have insurance nor do pedestrian profficency tests nor nuffink....

continued on page 785

 

[LocalLad]

He did:
"I slowed down"

Not defending him, but he slowed down, rang bell, verbally told the guy he was there...interested to know what was missing!

 

[Markymark]

He did:
"I slowed down"

Not defending him, but he slowed down, rang bell, verbally told the guy he was there...interested to know what was missing!

Didn't slow down enough, clearly.

Then revelled in scaring someone who was on a path with a dog minding their own business. A shared path is a pedestrian's space where bikes are allowed. It is still by default their space and they are the more vulnerable.

 

[Sara_H]

On the shared paths I always slow right down, tinkle my bell or give a verbal alert. If they don't seem to hear me I just wait til theres's enough space to pass with a wide berth, but sometimes you will still cause a startle no matter how slow and wide you pass.

 

[Dan B]

He did:
"I slowed down"

Not defending him, but he slowed down, rang bell, verbally told the guy he was there...interested to know what was missing!

If you walk past somebody do you "shout PEDESTRIAN quite loudly"? If not, why is it ok for cyclists?

 

[flyingfish]

I always like to make sure dog walkers know I am there so they can get their dog under control

 

[Drago]

Why not just taser him and steal his wallet while you're at it?

 

[flyingfish]

If you assault a dog walker fido will get you