downfader
extimus uero philosophus
- Location
- 'ampsheeeer
A couple of times in the past few weeks, as the only adult around, I've felt it necessary to say something (again) to kids on bikes. We're talking mostly young lads between the ages of 12 and 15 I'd reckon.
Lad no.1. Riding down a quiet road, just been passed by 2 cars and I see the last driver looking to his right. I too now look to my right to see what he's seen and sure enough young kid on a bike heading the opposite way. Stupid lad is texting as he cycles one handed so as I pass I say "Put the bl**dy phone down and look where you're going!"
Lad no.2 Riding into work on a quiet thursday morning this week. Young lad doing a paper round with a hoodie up bumps off the kerb to the right and meanders over towards my line without even a glance. I think I said something like "Watchout! Where are you going, son?" when I really thought after that I should have stopped and asked the lad if he knew how to ride safely. He did say sorry as I rode off, so he must have realised its not a good idea to just ride out without looking and I think I said something about safe riding (but now forget).
Young lady. I stop at a minirab, car coming from my right and a bus shortly after. This is down Hanover Buildings where the bus stops are. No beef for me to wait for the bus, and probably safer. Annoyingly as the car is just exiting the rab a girl on a SUABeg whizzes past me on the left nearly clipping me and the rear of the car in what has to be the most moronic riding I have ever seen. She was lucky the bus driver saw her coming and stopped. I think I shouted "LUNATIC!" at this one.
Have we now bread a generation of kids who's parents have shoved them on bikes without even so much as giving a s*** as to how they'll ride? I'm all for kids riding, but it seems to me that when I do actually see some bad cycling its from kids rather than fully grown riders who should know better. Also speaking to workmates it seems when they talk about bad cycling they also mention that its kids when you ask for more detail.
Lad no.1. Riding down a quiet road, just been passed by 2 cars and I see the last driver looking to his right. I too now look to my right to see what he's seen and sure enough young kid on a bike heading the opposite way. Stupid lad is texting as he cycles one handed so as I pass I say "Put the bl**dy phone down and look where you're going!"
Lad no.2 Riding into work on a quiet thursday morning this week. Young lad doing a paper round with a hoodie up bumps off the kerb to the right and meanders over towards my line without even a glance. I think I said something like "Watchout! Where are you going, son?" when I really thought after that I should have stopped and asked the lad if he knew how to ride safely. He did say sorry as I rode off, so he must have realised its not a good idea to just ride out without looking and I think I said something about safe riding (but now forget).
Young lady. I stop at a minirab, car coming from my right and a bus shortly after. This is down Hanover Buildings where the bus stops are. No beef for me to wait for the bus, and probably safer. Annoyingly as the car is just exiting the rab a girl on a SUABeg whizzes past me on the left nearly clipping me and the rear of the car in what has to be the most moronic riding I have ever seen. She was lucky the bus driver saw her coming and stopped. I think I shouted "LUNATIC!" at this one.
Have we now bread a generation of kids who's parents have shoved them on bikes without even so much as giving a s*** as to how they'll ride? I'm all for kids riding, but it seems to me that when I do actually see some bad cycling its from kids rather than fully grown riders who should know better. Also speaking to workmates it seems when they talk about bad cycling they also mention that its kids when you ask for more detail.
