Punted a pedestrian last night...

[BentMikey]

Well, luckily only a low speed brush. He quickly walked across the front of a bus in Brixton in standing traffic that I was filtering through. I'm glad I was riding slowly, and I bet he is too. I only managed to stop the bike with the front about a metre past him, he had to do a little bullfighter's bow to get out the way of my bottom bracket.

 

[fossyant]

Speared with a chain ring !!!

 

[Origamist]

Hitting a pedestrian at speed changed how I ride. When filtering you have to expect pedestrians to walk our in front of you, (even if you can't see them) - a lot of cyclists would do well to remember this. Slow down and be extra vigilant, particularly if you're riding along a high street in the rush hour!

A tube/rail station is like a pedestrian termite nest and a bus stop akin to a throbbing wasps nest - be very careful if you choose to filter in these situations (it was a bus stop that caught me out). If you're unsure you'll be able to stop in time, don't filter.

 

[BentMikey]

...which is why I was riding slowly. *rolleyes*

 

[hackbike 666]

Not surprised BM...They don't really look do they?

I know we have to look out for them and I haven't got a problem with that but they do make it hard sometimes.

Everyone seems in such a damn hurry they will risk their lives to save two seconds.

I think the worst is when they are all around traffic lights...you just know that some are going to cross regardless.

 

[Origamist]

...which is why I was riding slowly. *rolleyes*

It was generic advice - I didn't quote you...Don't be so touchy.

 

[hackbike 666]

It was generic advice - I didn't quote you...Don't be so touchy.

 

[Amanda P]

Do you have a guard on your chainrings, BM? My 'bent doesn't. I rarely ride it in town, but it sometimes worries me that if I were to hit a pedestrian with the teeth of the big chainring, it could make a bit of a mess.

 

[gaz]

and this is pretty much why i avoid brixton now on my commute, the traffic is just awful at the time i go and people just walk across the main road without looking.

 

[Origamist]

and this is pretty much why i avoid brixton now on my commute, the traffic is just awful at the time i go and people just walk across the main road without looking.

Me too - not much in it, but I go via Balham/Clapham even thought it's less direct.

 

[KentMikey]

It was generic advice - I didn't quote you...Don't be so touchy.

How can you almost criticise Mr Perfect?

 

[fossyant]

Nearly got two oldies on the way home.

Third in line, pulled away from lights, and two oldies decided to 'sprint' over the junction......

Locked rear wheel, the guy stopped very quickly (pretty good for an old fella), he looked sheepish, and as I passed I joked 'nearly'....he laughed.

 

[Arch]

Do you have a guard on your chainrings, BM? My 'bent doesn't. I rarely ride it in town, but it sometimes worries me that if I were to hit a pedestrian with the teeth of the big chainring, it could make a bit of a mess.

A nutty bloke came to one of our roadshows in Wolverhampton, and berated Ian Fardoe for his recumbent, because he reckoned the chainring was dangerous. He said that cars were safe, because they were designed so that a pedestrian would just roll off the bonnet, if hit...

I've never seen it tested, but I wonder how much difference it would make. If the chainring were not revolving, then I don't think you could actually stab someone with it, and if it were, then the cranks and pedals and momentum would come into it anyway. I suspect the ring is to protect the chainring, as much as anything else.

That said, I've done the old tripping over my own chainring thing on the trike...

 

[ttcycle]

Easy there Mikey!

 

[2Loose]

... He said that cars were safe, because they were designed so that a pedestrian would just roll off the bonnet, if hit...

Indeed, but they would still make quite a mess... Still, a clean rag would sort that..