Peds with ipods...more aware?

[jonny jeez]

Okay, hear me out.

I ride a one way road to work, its at the back of a large exhibition centre, is nearly always blocked by lorries delivering exhibition material and as such feels like a pedestrian area.

The local tube spills onto the road and pedestrians are abundant and distracted with putting oysters back in bags and pockets.

As such they tend to spill onto the road without taking a good look first. Its not a problem and never causes an issue, i just tend to ride very slowly and be prepared to swerve around people at short notice.


Except those with ipods.

They seem to rely less on "hearing" a vehicle and have no option than to look before they step out. I noticed it much more today, with two pedestrians actually rolling their eyes in sympathy as i had to swerve to avoid their neighbours who just stepped out, oblivious.

I've generally considered ipods to be a distraction, or maybe a blinker of sorts in the past but i'm coming round!

 

[snapper_37]

If I go through the city centre, I'm confident that someone will step out in front of me, whether they're wearing MP3s etc or not. Some just seem to not see you, some obviously do see you but think they have the right to just cross the path. Others I suppose, can't judge oncoming speed and do the okey-cokey on the edge of the pavement. I just take my time and prepare for the 'expected' or take an alternate route.

I did hit a woman smack between the legs a couple of years ago after she walked out from in front of a parked bus. Ouch! I'd hazard a good guess she now looks before trying it again.

 

[Davidsw8]

Pedestrian's don't tend to look when crossing roads in London whether they're listening to their iPod, texting, making a phone call, reading a book/newspaper/ipad, doing a sudoku etc. (I've seen people doing all of these) or none of the above.

They protect themselves with the assumption that they can't be hit...