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Original poster

When cyclists ding you, does it kill a little bit of you inside?

298 replies

energywavering · 27/03/2022 09:48

Because it does me!!

And I tell you what I could probably handle the ding if a "thank you" came along after you move for them..

It's basically saying "ding ding I have right of way over you so MOVE"

OP posts:
Quichetiger · 27/03/2022 11:44

As a cyclist I only use the bell if there is a pedestrian on the cycle path who doesn’t respond to ‘excuse me please’ and I always say thank you afterwards. As a pedestrian I know the bell can be a bit of a shock when you don’t expect it!

AnybodyAnywhere · 27/03/2022 11:44

Just to add: The worst offenders round here are people on those electric scooters, you don’t hear them coming and it scares the life out of you when they speed past 2inches doom your elbow!

Mytholmroyd · 27/03/2022 11:48

The recent changes to the highway code's hierarchy of road users very clearly state that in an interaction between pedestrian and cyclist the pedestrian is the vulnerable party and the cyclist has to give way - in the same way a car driver has to now stop when turning into a road if there is a pedestrian crossing/in the way.
www.gov.uk/government/news/the-highway-code-8-changes-you-need-to-know-from-29-january-2022

As a horse rider many years ago I was always told by the BHS never to admit fault in an accident with a vehicle because the car/lorry/bike should have stopped/slowed down/avoided passing close enough to hit you. Equally horse riders were always told to come back to a walk when passing walkers - you never galloped by at a speed you were unable to stop if a child or a dog got on the way

I would think the same thing applies to interactions between cyclist and pedestrians - it is not the pedestrians job to leap out of the way so the cyclist doesn't have to slow/stop and wait.

bellac11 · 27/03/2022 11:52

@Mytholmroyd

The recent changes to the highway code's hierarchy of road users very clearly state that in an interaction between pedestrian and cyclist the pedestrian is the vulnerable party and the cyclist has to give way - in the same way a car driver has to now stop when turning into a road if there is a pedestrian crossing/in the way. www.gov.uk/government/news/the-highway-code-8-changes-you-need-to-know-from-29-january-2022

As a horse rider many years ago I was always told by the BHS never to admit fault in an accident with a vehicle because the car/lorry/bike should have stopped/slowed down/avoided passing close enough to hit you. Equally horse riders were always told to come back to a walk when passing walkers - you never galloped by at a speed you were unable to stop if a child or a dog got on the way

I would think the same thing applies to interactions between cyclist and pedestrians - it is not the pedestrians job to leap out of the way so the cyclist doesn't have to slow/stop and wait.

It does not say the cyclist has to 'give way' to the pedestrian, the pedestrian has priority as the more vulnerable user but that doesnt mean either have right of way, it depends on the situation. It asks that cyclists do not pass quickly or closely to pedestrians but equally that pedestrians do not obstruct other users.
GoldenOmber · 27/03/2022 11:54

I would think the same thing applies to interactions between cyclist and pedestrians - it is not the pedestrians job to leap out of the way so the cyclist doesn't have to slow/stop and wait.

This is true. But ringing a bell is not meant to be a command for pedestrians to leap out of the way so the cyclist doesn’t have to slow down. It’s meant to alert other users of the path that the cyclist is there, and give them notice to allow the cyclist to pass where it’s possible to do that safely and considerately.

Hasselhoffsheadband · 27/03/2022 11:57

We were walking along a tow path recently and a bloke on a bike was coming the other way. There was a bit of confusion about who was moving which way, left right etc, plus we had small kids with us. Rather than stop/slow right down and just go safely past us, he carried on and shouted 'I don't care which way you move, just get out of my way'! And then sped past.

Prick.

Woeismethischristmas · 27/03/2022 11:59

I thought you were supposed to ding. I slow down, ding, go past and say thank you if they’ve moved out the way. I prefer a ding especially if I have children or animals with me as they can dart unpredictably.

GoldenOmber · 27/03/2022 12:01

@Hasselhoffsheadband

We were walking along a tow path recently and a bloke on a bike was coming the other way. There was a bit of confusion about who was moving which way, left right etc, plus we had small kids with us. Rather than stop/slow right down and just go safely past us, he carried on and shouted 'I don't care which way you move, just get out of my way'! And then sped past.

Prick.

Hope he ended up in the canal further along his journey.
bellac11 · 27/03/2022 12:03

Reading threads like this, it does show how angry and paranoid people are in life. No wonder we have a MH epidemic with people having such negative thoughts about life and other people

Such a perception of being hard done by, or being 'wronged' in some way or people doing something to you.

burnthur5t · 27/03/2022 12:03

If they didn't bell you you'd moan

No pleasing some people

CarbonelCat · 27/03/2022 12:05

Discussion of cyclists as if they're in some way another version of human is baffling.

A lot of people are cyclists and would also say they themselves are walkers, drivers, roller skaters....

Sparklingbrook · 27/03/2022 12:05

I just feel that they could consider exactly where they think the pedestrians could go so they can carry on past.
Sometimes there is literally nowhere for the walker to go. 🤷‍♀️

bellac11 · 27/03/2022 12:10

@CarbonelCat

Discussion of cyclists as if they're in some way another version of human is baffling.

A lot of people are cyclists and would also say they themselves are walkers, drivers, roller skaters....

I draw the line at roller skating
Gonnagetgoing · 27/03/2022 12:10

My pet peeve and hate is cyclists on pavements.

Mytholmroyd · 27/03/2022 12:14

It’s meant to alert other users of the path that the cyclist is there, and give them notice to allow the cyclist to pass where it’s possible to do that safely and considerately

I agree, however in my own experience and on what has been posted on here, it is sadly the case that a lot of cyclists are neither safe nor considerate when passing walkers especially on narrow paths. They seem unaware they are riding a potentially lethal weapon at speed.

AndAsIfByMagic · 27/03/2022 12:15

@GoldenOmber

Highway code is clear. Pedestrians get priority over cyclists. Read it again.

I don’t think you know what ‘priority’ means. It doesn’t mean ‘I am the only one who gets to use this path.’

Yup. I know what it means. It's you who seem to be confused. And pretending I said something I didn't. Odd behaviour.
GoldenOmber · 27/03/2022 12:16

Yup. I know what it means. It's you who seem to be confused. And pretending I said something I didn't. Odd behaviour.

You are saying you will push cyclists into canals because pedestrians ‘have priority’.

AndAsIfByMagic · 27/03/2022 12:20

You are saying you will push cyclists into canals because pedestrians ‘have priority’.

Er, no I'm not. I have said that the highway code is clear that pedestrians get priority. It is.

I then said that if someone cycled too close to me my instinct would be to push them away. I would do the same if someone walked/ran too close to me.

You're reading far more into my words than is actually there. How very peculiar of you.

Agapornis · 27/03/2022 12:23

@Gonnagetgoing

My pet peeve and hate is cyclists on pavements.
My pet peeve is pedestrians on cycle paths Wink

I have a ding-dong bell because it sounds less angry, and I say thanks. Grumpy sods are everywhere, whether cyclist, pedestrian or driver (I am all 3). I note OP still hasn't suggested an alternative to bells.

Mytholmroyd · 27/03/2022 12:23

It does not say the cyclist has to 'give way' to the pedestrian, the pedestrian has priority as the more vulnerable user but that doesnt mean either have right of way, it depends on the situation

Well yes, in cycle lanes cyclists have priority and can rightly ding all day when pedestrians wander into their lane. Elsewhere, they may choose not to slow down/stop/pass wide but if there is an accident between a human on foot and a human on a bike the blame will usually be theirs to prove otherwise legally. Isn't that what the hierarchy means?

If road traffic now has to stop when turning into a side road and let a pedestrian cross (this is a change in the law/highway code) then a cyclist also has to give way also no?

bellac11 · 27/03/2022 12:23

@GoldenOmber

Yup. I know what it means. It's you who seem to be confused. And pretending I said something I didn't. Odd behaviour.

You are saying you will push cyclists into canals because pedestrians ‘have priority’.

She wouldnt do it by intention though, only by 'instinct'

Like she would for runners or horse riders or people on mobility scooters who are travelling faster.

GoldenOmber · 27/03/2022 12:24

Er, no I'm not. I have said that the highway code is clear that pedestrians get priority. It is.

Yes. This means that pedestrians, as the most vulnerable path used, get priority. It does not mean that
A) cyclists must get off their bike and walk when around pedestrians
B) you are justified in pushing cyclists off their bike if they are within arm’s reach of you.

If it is a shared path, then you have to share it.

Mytholmroyd · 27/03/2022 12:24

And yes I walk, ride a horse, a bike and drive a car!

bellac11 · 27/03/2022 12:25

@Mytholmroyd

It does not say the cyclist has to 'give way' to the pedestrian, the pedestrian has priority as the more vulnerable user but that doesnt mean either have right of way, it depends on the situation

Well yes, in cycle lanes cyclists have priority and can rightly ding all day when pedestrians wander into their lane. Elsewhere, they may choose not to slow down/stop/pass wide but if there is an accident between a human on foot and a human on a bike the blame will usually be theirs to prove otherwise legally. Isn't that what the hierarchy means?

If road traffic now has to stop when turning into a side road and let a pedestrian cross (this is a change in the law/highway code) then a cyclist also has to give way also no?

The rule about the side turning is not a change, it was always there.

You're right about what the hierachy means though

lljkk · 27/03/2022 12:26

People jump out of their skins if you speed past without shouting or bell ringing to say you're coming, most want to know you're coming.

Also often "It's basically saying "ding ding You (&/or your group) are literally all over every inch of the 10 foot wide path/12' wide road or keep going side to side constantly so I don't know how to get past safely never mind avoid the 5 loose dogs you may have. Either I need to call out 'Hello!' & hope you'll become more aware or ring a bell. Some people don't like being shouted at and the bell noise carries better than my voice. The bell noise is especially good at like 6:45am in a residential area because bell will carry far but quietly when my shouting voice actually wakes people up."

Walking dog yesterday I struggled to get past a woman with headphones on and her back to me... I think she was hoping to cross road but somehow planted her swaying generous self smack in middle of path as she waited, so there wasn't room to get past on either side, I kept speaking to her to to say "excuse me" then realised she had earphones in. I wonder if a sharp pitched bell might have got her attention.