While cycling through Cambridge just now...

[Cab]

...I had a woman stand right in the middle of the road, and move to cut off my passing. Just obstinately standing in the middle of Sidney Street. I looked at her, told her that the street isn't pedestrianised (which it isn't, its labelled as part of the 'pedestrian zone', with a sign saying 'drivers and cyclists please look out for pedestrians', thus implying that elsewhere in the city they're fair game), and she shouted at me that it isn't for cyclists either. I rode around her.

Whats going on with people today... Seems that the world has gone a bit mental in the run up to Christmas.

 

[GrasB]

I have to say that right now going through the middle of Cambridge is like going through a 1000 separate cases of "me is the world" syndrome. They are the most important thing in the world, they are the only person that matters & everyone else should be the ones to be inconvenienced because I am here & I should be able do what ever I want without interference.

 

[thomas]

In great yarmouth some lady yelled at me (and rest of cycle group) for going through the "PEDESTRIAN ONLY AREA...WHAT...DON'T YOU SPEAK ENGLISH???!!!"...

I wasn't really sure if she was right, but was cycling very carefully at walking pace so ignored her.

Got to the other end and my suspicious were confirmed, a nice pedestrian and bicycle sign so I was legally allowed to go through there.

I went and told her to look at the sign and shut up on the way back...to which she still though me doing 4 mph was dangerous.

She didn't seem to agree with my argument that I'm more careful to avoid people when cycling than when pushing the bike. I'm not going to cycle into someone, but don't mind sticking my bike in front to give myself room .

 

[661-Pete]

I believe North End in Croydon is similar: pedestrianized street but signs permitting cyclists (correct me if I'm wrong). I'd be very reluctant to cycle along there at busy times though.

 

[gaz]

I believe North End in Croydon is similar: pedestrianized street but signs permitting cyclists (correct me if I'm wrong). I'd be very reluctant to cycle along there at busy times though.

I've not seen any signs that permit cycling there but i've also not seen any that don't permit you to cycle, and i have cycled along there at busy times, not a wise idea.

 

[marinyork]

I've had people do this on crossings a number of times over the years. I'm all for being patient and giving people time to cross but it is asking for trouble. Ironically it is one of the small number of offences you can do as a pedestrian.

 

[nigelb]

I believe in the laws of averages.

Now, with all the learned establishments we have in Cambridge, we obviously have a large number of very bright people.

To make up for the excessive intelligence, we must also therefore have an even larger number of "intellectually challenged" individuals - leastways this is the only explanation that I can come up with, as I cycle past schools (kids one per car, all cars parked apparently randomly on road/pavement/cycleway).

Nige

 

[Camgreen]

I have to say that right now going through the middle of Cambridge is like going through a 1000 separate cases of "me is the world" syndrome. They are the most important thing in the world, they are the only person that matters & everyone else should be the ones to be inconvenienced because I am here & I should be able do what ever I want without interference.

On balance that is probably true of some pedestrians and cyclist's in the City.

 

[Lazy-Commuter]

Originally Posted by GrasB
I have to say that right now going through the middle of Cambridge is like going through a 1000 separate cases of "me is the world" syndrome. They are the most important thing in the world, they are the only person that matters & everyone else should be the ones to be inconvenienced because I am here & I should be able do what ever I want without interference.

On balance that is probably true of some pedestrians and cyclist's in the City.

Certainly true in the South East. Mrs-LC calls it "South East Syndrome" and many down here are afflicted with it. Not me, though, obviously.

Example: as I emerged from a bridleway into a no-through road (for cars) last night, there was a bloke, dressed all in black natch, stood in the middle of the road having a most important conversation on his mobile. Course, he wasn't standing still, he was randomly walking backwards and forwards a few steps at a time.

So I did a couple of little dings on my little bell, noisily cleared my throat, made sure he was bathed in the glow from all three front lights (it's quite dark there) and gave him the widest berth I could. He still seemed surprised to see me.

OK, so it's a "dead end" road, but there is a bridleway so one might reasonably expect a cyclist or horse rider, or even some ramblers, to come past so why stand in the middle of the road?

 

[2Loose]

Sidney street is the only place that I have run into a ped (about 15 years ago).

There are so few motor vehicles going through via St. Johns and Market Street that the peds feel it is ok to wander off the path without looking...however, arguing the toss with a cyclist in Cambridge is a little insane!

 

[Cab]

Sidney street is the only place that I have run into a ped (about 15 years ago).

There are so few motor vehicles going through via St. Johns and Market Street that the peds feel it is ok to wander off the path without looking...however, arguing the toss with a cyclist in Cambridge is a little insane!

Its pretty pointless anywhere really. I just couldn't believe that she'd picked me out for this, out of all the other cyclists riding through!

 

[Alien8]

Its pretty pointless anywhere really. I just couldn't believe that she'd picked me out for this, out of all the other cyclists riding through!

Maybe, out of all the other cyclists, she thought you looked the least confrontational?

(crikey, Junior Member, and it has only taken me just over a year).

 

[Gandalf]

I've not seen any signs that permit cycling there but i've also not seen any that don't permit you to cycle, and i have cycled along there at busy times, not a wise idea.

There is a sign which prohibits vehicles 'except cycles'.

 

[Crankarm]

Its pretty pointless anywhere really. I just couldn't believe that she'd picked me out for this, out of all the other cyclists riding through!

Blimey ........... You cycle along Sydney Street ? I always walk around these central streets of Cambridge especially Sydney Street, Market Hill, Green Street, Rose Crescent, Kings Parade because there are so many peds.

Take a chill pill .

Are you sure she didn't have a go at you as it was dark and you didn't have any lights ?

 

[Cab]

Middle of the afternoon and I was riding through at a sedate jogging pace (as simply being preferable to pushing the bike). Its not especially hard riding those streets unless its Christmas or something...