Saw a pedestrian get hit by bike today

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Southampton city centre, lady on bike in bright yellow bib rings her bell as light goes green. Right at the last second idiot girl (mid 20s) texting just blunders into the road from the left from standing still and facing the wrong direction at the edge of the road.

No apology. Thankfully no injury. From all intents and purposes it looked like she had been about to walk off towards the West Quay shopping centre and a sudden change of mind (perhaps from a text, given that she was texting as she stepped out). Texting pedestrian if anything gave a grunt as if she was annoyed, perhaps she should try looking where she is walking!?

I could feel the frustration from the lady cyclist. God knows I've felt it there myself. People just do not look on that road. I stopped ringing the bell there due to the idiot comments as I passed.

 

[Headgardener]

People think that the road is part of the pedestrianized zone either side of it. I have had some odd looks when I have stopped at the kerb to look for traffic there.

 

[gambatte]

Had a close one this week, this week. Traffic V slow both ways. I'm filtering down the middle and a couple are crossing ('jaywalking') infront of a car going the same way as me. They decide to continue to cross over, after just looking left. Don't have a bell, they got an "Oiii"

 

[downfader]

People think that the road is part of the pedestrianized zone either side of it. I have had some odd looks when I have stopped at the kerb to look for traffic there.

Yep. True. A lady got knocked down by a bus there a few months back, I'm told, same situation - blundered out into the road without looking. You cant really miss a bloody bus. I've been on several buses that have had to slam on because of this.

Had a close one this week, this week. Traffic V slow both ways. I'm filtering down the middle and a couple are crossing ('jaywalking') infront of a car going the same way as me. They decide to continue to cross over, after just looking left. Don't have a bell, they got an "Oiii"

"Bicycle coming through!" is what I will sometimes say out loud, usually with a "passing on your left/right!"

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Rang my bell whilst passing two pedestrians from behind this morning (it's a proper old school I <3 my bike bring-bring unit).

I rang it when I was about 10m behind them, they were ambling all over the pavement/cycle lane, I rang it as gently and sweetly as you can, just once. I passed them dead slow albeit on their left as they had wandered over to the right

"What the f*ck are you ringing that poxy bell for?" said Mr Ped.

Can't win.

 

[rusky]

Rang my bell whilst passing two pedestrians from behind this morning (it's a proper old school I <3 my bike bring-bring unit).

I rang it when I was about 10m behind them, they were ambling all over the pavement/cycle lane, I rang it as gently and sweetly as you can, just once. I passed them dead slow albeit on their left as they had wandered over to the right

"What the f*ck are you ringing that poxy bell for?" said Mr Ped.

Can't win.

I can think of several replies to his question but with the swear filter on here it wouldn't make sense.

 

[downfader]

Rang my bell whilst passing two pedestrians from behind this morning (it's a proper old school I <3 my bike bring-bring unit).

I rang it when I was about 10m behind them, they were ambling all over the pavement/cycle lane, I rang it as gently and sweetly as you can, just once. I passed them dead slow albeit on their left as they had wandered over to the right

"What the f*ck are you ringing that poxy bell for?" said Mr Ped.

Can't win.

I scared the hell out of a young girl recently on one cpath. I ended up apologising for some unknown reason, because as with your case I was well enough back and slow enough not to cause distress or harm... I would hope.

I rang my bell approachng an elderly couple last week, now I think on. They were walking towards me on the cpath, actually stopped and I think grumbled at me under their voice. I dont think they understood the cycle signs all over the place.

 

[rowan 46]

fortunate that nobody was hurt. sometimes cycling accidents are unavoidable. It seems the cyclist was paying attention and managed to keep damage to a minimum. well done that cyclist.

 

[growingvegetables]

Ringing bell? An ambulance coming down the towpath behind you, straight from a bad 1930's film .......... aye, it'll make people jump.

Slow down, call out a friendly "Mind your backs!" (BEFORE they know you're there, and with all the non-verbal smile and please that you can squeeze into the tone of those three words).

Only problem I've had (to date) is daydreaming pedestrians standing aside - and then beating their dogs for not doing likewise.

 

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[QUOTE 1515062"]
If the lady rung her bell then this would mean that she is aware of a hazard that may develop? Yet despite this she still managed to hit someone?
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Reread my message. The pedestrian was facing away from the road and turned around into the road. The bell struck me as being a courtesy thing because of the amount of pedestrians about.

 

[Jonathing]

Some people just want to be run down. I imagine the pedestrian in question was cut from the same cloth and red light jumping cyclists.

I've nearly been run over there innumerable times as a teenager I could never work out that the road wasn't part of the pedestrianised area. But then as a teenager I was a little sh*thead who worked in the Goth shop in the Bargate centre so I probably deserved it.

 

[BSRU]

Unfortunately we all know pedestrians can be completely unpredictable if they are unaware of what is going on around them.
On the section of shared path I have to use I just cycle very slowly and wait behind pedestrians, I let them discover me behind maybe with a tinkle from my bell, not the Airzound.
I do not overtake pedestrians if they do not know I am there or if I am near a pedestrian crossing I keep away from the kerb.

 

[400bhp]

Rang my bell whilst passing two pedestrians from behind this morning (it's a proper old school I <3 my bike bring-bring unit).

I rang it when I was about 10m behind them, they were ambling all over the pavement/cycle lane, I rang it as gently and sweetly as you can, just once. I passed them dead slow albeit on their left as they had wandered over to the right


Can't win.

Use another form of communication.

The bit emboldened is meaningless by the way.

I find ringing a bell a little bit odd/old school :shrug:.

 

[chevin]

Just got back from touring in Switzerland, Germany and Netherlands. Over there, even those out for a hard training ride have bells - standard is to ring whenever you come up behind somebody, whether they are in the way or not, just to warn. Works really well, and nobody takes offence. Needs a bit of a culture change here. Personally, on the local towpath (which is designated for cycles), I tend to come up gently and call out "Good morning" (or whatever appropriate). Always been well received.

 

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[QUOTE 1515068"]
So a hazard that may develop then (and has). Cyclist error.
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Naff off Lee, dont start this again. I know what I saw and I dont remember "Mr Perfect" being there.