Was I rude?

[GrasB]

This is why I'm typically a good 1-2ft out from the edge of the cycle lane when cycling around town. I've conditioned my self to say "Eeek! To your right" as I swing wider & brake if needed.

 

[fossyant]

Should have shouted "He fell over ! He fell over !" in a football chant !

 

[Mad at urage]

There's a similar point on my commute in Rusholme. I ride it at a speed where I can stop almost immediately (on the LHT, that's something between 10 and 14 mph). I feel quite strongly that I don't want to treat pedestrians the way that (some) motorists treat we cyclists.

"Highway Code Rule 205:

There is a risk of pedestrians, especially children, stepping unexpectedly into the road. You should drive[sic] with the safety of children in mind at a speed suitable for the conditions."

I haven't commuted in Barking for years, but baby-mommas doing exactly this is my abiding memory. Trouble is in that sort of area, there is no one point where they may do it! It could (and did) happen randomly anywhere up the Barking Road from Canning Town (but particularly through Upton Park and East Ham); I just got really good at stoppies and jumping the 'bike sideways (wish I was that good now, 'twas fun being a trick rider).

Anyway, I don't know whether the OP's experience is the same, just that the idea of slowing down just 'cos the pavements are full of pedestrians for a matter of miles, and a small percentage of these pedistrians are completely unaware that the road beside them is full of vehicular traffic (most much heavier than bikes) moving at between 10 and 20 mph .... Nope, I'll look to my survival first I'm afraid! Look, most of the time I was riding up the outside of the cars and they'd push those buggies into the road in front of cars, lorries - anything!

 

[asterix]

York's a major hazard area for pedestrians stepping out. I give them loads of room. Taken out 2 shopping bags so far (in over 15 years!) but no knock-downs since I was commuting in Manchester.

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

Him: ''twat!''
You: ''Don't be so hard on yourself...''

 

[Blackandblue]

FWIW, I was well over to the right hand side of my lane, almost on the central line. Ordinarily I'd be centre of the lane at that point as there is a side road from the left yards before where this guy stepped out. It's a regular brown trousers area there for cars pulling out on me point blank. As a result my speed is moderated accordingly. All manner of traffic uses that road from bicycles to motorbikes to cabs, to cars to vans and lorries (but no buses). The chap in question simply didn't look before stepping off the kerb. Funnily enough, the direction he was walking didn't give an indication that he was about to cross, it really seemed like a last minute, somewhat absent minded decision. He could have come a real cropper if he stepped in front of a faster, bigger vehicle.

I was pretty confident given my road position that I wouldn't hit him but was wary of having to swerve any further out in the road. I was also conscious of the other cyclist just behind me who may not have seen the chap and was possibly a greater danger to him.

By that stage of my commute I am pretty much amongst the walking comatose. Not much further and the ride slows down almost to walking pace. That's not a complaint, that's just the way it is. For me at least. Not for every cyclist.

It was unfortunate he fell over (and not in the slightest bit comical) but I was pretty peeved that his immediate reaction was to shout something offensive to me when I had his best interests at heart and had tried to warn him of impending danger in (what I felt was) a non-aggressive manner.

But there's nowt as queer as folk and all that.

And I probably should have stopped to see if he was alright. Although given his reaction, how do I know he wouldn't have tried to swing at me? You just never know with some people.

 

[John the Monkey]

B&B - quite a different situation from the one I was envisaging then - doesn't sound like there was much you could do.

 

[chris-s]

I think you did ok. I had something similar the other day, coming up to a roundabout on urbany dual carriageway in the outside lane with stationary inside lane traffic, I just got to a light controlled crossing, (which was green), and a young lass runs across from the left thru the stationery lane without seeing me. I anchored on the brakes as she continued running around the front of me, missing each other my inches if that, gave me a real fright! Wouldn't have been so bad if I was on my bike but as I was in the car doing 40mph she was lucky to still be walking at all after that. I'd hate to imagine what would have happened if the road was wet..

Chris

 

[Fran143]

Nope I don't think you were rude at all.....wouldn't like to have seen his response if you or the other cyclist had hit him. I was heading out this am when someone pulled out from a junction in front of me in a car....not a great problem had it not been for the fact that she didn't see me as she was busy texting....I didn't just shout "oi oi" by the way!

 

[Gerry Attrick]

Put it behind you and move on. It's just another symptom of certain individuals who will not take responsibility for their own actions.

I was forced on to the grass verge last year by a motorist who, for no apparent reason, moved to the right hand side of the road as I was overtaking. In response to my warning, he then let fly a barrage of invective. It was, according to him, his right to pull in front of me with no warning.

Takes all sorts.

 

[Cush]

Two young ped lasses were going to jump the red lights at a crossing I murmured in my normal football voice "get back" by the look on their faces as they jumped back they just about wet them selfs but I could here their giggles right round the corner Maybe they learnt a lesson. You did the right thing. You havent always the time to be polite

 

[Banjo]

Maybe repeating his "twat" was unnecessary but in the heat of the moment after a near miss you havent got time to consider your response and theres no delete or edit button in the real world.

Dont beat yourself up over it he was in the wrong and swore first.

I have taken to saying "carefull" to peds who may not have seen me ,

its a bit less agressive than "oi you twat"

 

[cyberknight]

Typical response when they are in the wrong and do not like to admit it, they pass the blame to you to try and hide the embarrassment by using colourful language.
It is just like a close pass when they come out with the usual bulls**t

Maybe you did not need to respond in kind but we all say things in the heat of the moment .

Forget it they should have looked before walking into the road.

 

[campbellab]

If you just had a startle and landed on your ass do you think the next phrase that comes out of your mouth is going to be well thought out?

 

[buggi]

Should have shouted "He fell over ! He fell over !" in a football chant !

my 4 year old nephew did this when he saw a old man fall over on the bus. my brother was mortified and so he should be, after all... he taught him to say it ha ha