The new breed of ninja!

[Bman]

Ive met the usual.... but not this type!


View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCV1_cVTnn8

 

[BentMikey]

Whoops! He should have been able to see your lights, but probably didn't give a toss. Your hiviz wouldn't have made any difference - he has no lights!!

 

[wafflycat]

Not condoning the ninja cyclist, who is obviously a numpty, but whoever the cyclist doing the filming was is not entirely sensible. 20mph+ on a cycle path is not advisable or sensible.

 

[Bman]

It was me

I usually average <12mph on the cycle paths. As you can see these are dedicated cyclepaths, not shared paths and the road was clear (apart from the ninja). If anyone else rides that stretch, Im sure they would do the same.

 

[Bman]

Whoops! He should have been able to see your lights, but probably didn't give a toss. Your hiviz wouldn't have made any difference - he has no lights!!

Good point.

What surprised me about this was, I was sure he was looking directly at me...

As soon as I realised that he wasnt moving over to give me room, I shouted the warning. At that point he looked behind!!!!

I dont know, Moth to a Flame perhaps?

 

[cyberknight]

I have a name for them ....

Pavement Ninja !!

or what i normally call them "twat "

 

[wafflycat]

It was me

I usually average <12mph on the cycle paths. As you can see these are dedicated cyclepaths, not shared paths and the road was clear (apart from the ninja). If anyone else rides that stretch, Im sure they would do the same.

Peds are allowed on dedicated cycle paths. No, I wouldn't be cycling that fast (20mph+) on a 'facility' Sorry.

 

[Bman]

True... But isnt it also true that peds are equally allowed on the roads?
Should that not mean that all car drivers should also stay below 20mph?

Seriously though, I know what you mean. We should only travel at speeds safe for the road conditions. I would argue that I was. Although it was wet (well, damp), I was still able to stop in time for any peds that I encountered. In fact, I did start to brake as soon as I saw the ninja. I just didnt expect him to drift further into my lane. If I did, I would have stopped!

I was only traveling in excess of 20mph when my way was visibly clear.

 

[wafflycat]

Yes, peds are allowed on roads, but as we all know, it's not that often peds are found wandering up the middle of the road, whereas we are more likely to encounter peds on what is essentially, a glorified footpath?

Isn't it somewhere in the official gumpf about cycle farcilities (DfT?) that cyclists doing over 18mph should be on road rather than on farcilities? My personal opinion is that even 18mph is too fast for farcilities. You're allowed to disagree if you want

You're right in that we should only travel at speed safe for the conditions.

 

[Bman]

Indeed. Peds are more likely to use a cycle path/track as a "glorified footpath" than a road.
Probably down to the fact that there are 1 tonne+ objects traveling at 30, 40 or even 50mph regardless of the speed limit/ped-risk.

My problem, is that although (IMO) I can safely travel at 30mph along that stretch, if I were to take the smoother road (which I do during quiet periods) I would have cars breaking the speed limit to pass me while I'm doing 30-35mph, just so they can beat me to the RAB.

TBH, I would rather risk having to slow down if I see peds on the cycletrack.

Edit : Re-reading your post, I could also argue that 18-20mph is closer to the walking speed of a ped, than the average speed a motorist will travel on the adjacent road.

 

[Bman]

I have a name for them ....

Pavement Ninja !!

or what i normally call them "twat "

I did swear, but I addressed the "situation" not the "tw@t"

 

[downfader]

On the subject of peds I would usually agree that 18mph is the max (as guidence is placed in the HC) though no more than 6mph on shared seem advisable...

..however from the footage this looks well segregated and I would imagine pedestrians should realise that it is in their and the cyclists best interest to stay out. I personally dont think there is anything wrong with riding fast in these conditions as long as you have good visibility of the surroundings.

 

[hackbike 666]

That cyclist was very similar to the cyclist who went through the red at London Bridge like a runaway train (meaning I had to stop as he was on a collision course with me) on my inward commute.(Saturday)

 

[Nipper]

...but whoever the cyclist doing the filming was is not entirely sensible. 20mph+ on a cycle path is not advisable or sensible.

Waffles, you are just looking for an excuse to criticise cycle paths. The truth is that was a well segregated path on which it was safe to ride at 20+mph. They have paths like this all over the UK and it's about time we had some more. On shared paths it is advisable to go a little slower but there is nothing wrong with that. I wear normal clothes and ride a normal bicycle, I find 10-15mph is a desirable speed, it is a speed possible on most shared paths.

 

[wafflycat]

I do not require an excuse to have a go at farcilities.