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Pavement Cyclists

248 replies

fiftiesfresh22 · 31/07/2023 13:05

Probably done to death.

Pavement cyclists are a menace on the street on which I live (reasonably busy road, narrow footpaths (not shared) wide verges both sides. There are several alternative quieter roads very close by which cyclists could use if they feel unsafe/not confident to ride on the road down here, all of which end up on the same main road at the end, literally a minute away from each other. But still some choose to ride on the even narrower pavements down those.

So todays offering...walking my dog on the footpath, on his non-extendable, standard lead as always, from behind me come two cyclists who I did not see or hear approaching obviously, who ''buzzed'' me {passed very close at speed) and made me jump. Thankfully my dog was on the other side of me, and as I startled I said ''FGS''. To which one of them turned & said ''FGS? you should have your dog on a very tight lead...'' along with something else which I could not hear as they continued riding away. I guess it was probably along the lines of ''so that we can pass''.

The arrogance of some cyclists (who we are led to believe are in the minority) who believe that the footpaths are their domain if they see fit, pedestrians are in THEIR way, and it is the pedestrians responsibility to walk looking over their shoulder/with eyes in the back of their head etc in order to facilitate the cyclists illegal journey., all without challenge. So many times I see elderly/mobility scooter bound/parents with toddlers & prams/dog walkers being passed at speed & close quarters. This of course is facilitated by the fact that the law is interpreted, not upheld, and pavement cyclists are completely ignored, even when witnessed by passing police, both on foot or in a vehicle and now of course we also have electric scooters.

OP posts:
SirChenjins · 31/07/2023 22:29

DatumTarum · 31/07/2023 22:24

Do you have children? 😁

What an odd question. Why does someone need to have children to post a response? I’ve got three, and you should teach him to ride more slowly.

@JayAlfredPrufrock is right, you’re not coming over well at all.

mosaic25 · 31/07/2023 22:30

It really annoys me.

I was cycling on the roads from teenage years, there's just no excuse. I never really used the shared paths, but I'm talking about those cyclists aren't supposed to use.

DatumTarum · 31/07/2023 22:31

Soapyspuds · 31/07/2023 22:25

I don't drive, and never have. But yeah, the audacity of those pedestrians expecting to walk safely down a pavement or shared path without having to get out of the way of someone who can't be expected to walk for a few minutes

How does walking the bike help? That ensures that there is even less space fpr all involved.

I do not advocate cycling on pavements. But I can understand it on some dangerous stretches of road and unless you are a cyclist you probably cannot understand the risks. If the cyclist is only going marginally above walking pace and has a genuine reason due to the road conditions then I do not see the issue.

Yes get angry and shout at cyclists speeding along the pavement I agree that is really bad. But if a cyclist is slowly using a pavement whilst being safe around pedestrians then get a bloody life and let them be.

Nah, a small boy and a middle aged woman tootling along are the greatest hazards a pedestrians can face! The horror! I should be thrown in jail!

GrinGrinGrinGrinGrin

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DatumTarum · 31/07/2023 22:32

mosaic25 · 31/07/2023 22:30

It really annoys me.

I was cycling on the roads from teenage years, there's just no excuse. I never really used the shared paths, but I'm talking about those cyclists aren't supposed to use.

Me too.

Been bombing around the roads on two wheels since I was 14.

But not at 5.

DatumTarum · 31/07/2023 22:33

@SirChenjins

And how/where do you cycle with them

SirChenjins · 31/07/2023 22:33

Jail is a bit much - but you should be less of a twat and stick to the laws that applies to cyclists. I presume you prefer it when drivers adhere to the laws that apply to them re cyclists.

SirChenjins · 31/07/2023 22:34

DatumTarum · 31/07/2023 22:33

@SirChenjins

And how/where do you cycle with them

They are adults/teenage but when they were young we cycled on shared paths. You should do the same.

BasiliskStare · 31/07/2023 22:34

& just when you thought you had read all the self entitled way in which people behave.

I can sort of see going on the pavement ( albeit illegal ) if you think your child could be at risk . What. I cannot see is thinking you can ring bell for proper pavement users ( ie pedestrians ) to get out of your way. If the pavement is full , get off the bicycles and walk for a bit. Would that not be common decency ?

DatumTarum · 31/07/2023 22:35

SirChenjins · 31/07/2023 22:33

Jail is a bit much - but you should be less of a twat and stick to the laws that applies to cyclists. I presume you prefer it when drivers adhere to the laws that apply to them re cyclists.

I do.

I also understand that individual bits of legislation don't function in a legal vacuum.

At least people have stopped wibbling on about the terrors of bicycle bells on childrens bikes.

Soapyspuds · 31/07/2023 22:36

Honestly DatumTarum you really aren’t coming across well

If you have an issue with a parent cycling on a pavement to assist their 5 year old child getting to school then you need to have a look in the mirror.

The problem is the lack of suitable infrastucture. Not daytum cycling with her child.

DatumTarum · 31/07/2023 22:36

@SirChenjins

We do cycle on shared paths- where they exist.

SirChenjins · 31/07/2023 22:37

DatumTarum · 31/07/2023 22:35

I do.

I also understand that individual bits of legislation don't function in a legal vacuum.

At least people have stopped wibbling on about the terrors of bicycle bells on childrens bikes.

No, what you have done is unfortunately typical of a certain kind of cyclist and you’ve decided to ignore the laws which apply to you.

DatumTarum · 31/07/2023 22:38

@SirChenjins

If you say so! Grin

Ding, ding!

SirChenjins · 31/07/2023 22:39

DatumTarum · 31/07/2023 22:36

@SirChenjins

We do cycle on shared paths- where they exist.

Excellent - let’s hope you use them more responsibly and legally than you do pavements.

SirChenjins · 31/07/2023 22:40

DatumTarum · 31/07/2023 22:38

@SirChenjins

If you say so! Grin

Ding, ding!

I do say so!

You’ll need to wait, twatty cyclist, I’m not moving for your little bell

DatumTarum · 31/07/2023 22:43

@SirChenjins

Bet you drive an SUV and spend Sundays hoovering your plastic grass.

Soapyspuds · 31/07/2023 22:44

DatumTarum it sounds like you need to buy an air horn for your bike in case you come up behind SirChen 'the pavement police' jins

User6424678852 · 31/07/2023 22:44

@DatumTarum I just wanted to say how measured and reasonable you have been in your responses to some really nasty posters

User6424678852 · 31/07/2023 22:45

DatumTarum · 31/07/2023 22:43

@SirChenjins

Bet you drive an SUV and spend Sundays hoovering your plastic grass.

I cross posted 😂

SirChenjins · 31/07/2023 22:50

DatumTarum · 31/07/2023 22:43

@SirChenjins

Bet you drive an SUV and spend Sundays hoovering your plastic grass.

Whatevs.

JayAlfredPrufrock · 31/07/2023 22:58

Oh my. Now you are throwing random insults about @DatumTarum

I see you.

BasiliskStare · 31/07/2023 23:18

Juat as light relief does anyone remember Mexican holiday house chap ? Now he really was a self entitled CF - is it still on Classics - I've tried searching but if it Is still there it might lighten the mood 😊

albapunk · 31/07/2023 23:48

Despite posters replies to my comment, I'm still with @DatumTarum

Children and bicycles go hand in hand. I LOVED cycling as a child, but the world was safer, roads less busy, people more forgiving and kind and looked after each other, especially in my wee working class West of Scotland Town.

Nothing Datum has suggested points to being an arsehole entitled cyclist. I'm a cyclist, of a few disciplines as well as a driver of various size veichles. I'm well versed in the law, highway code and also how to generally be a considerate person in life.

I'll give way to pedestrians, but equally I'm sure as hell ringing my bell or calling out to make them aware of my presence from a suitable distance. If I'm walking, and I see a parent and child on a bike, it costs me nothing to give way to them. Do I legally need to? No. Will I because actually, it takes a second to be considerate to a parent and a potentially wobbly child? Absolutely.

albapunk · 31/07/2023 23:51

P.s I'm also pretty hot on able cyclists not cycling on the pavement, but I seriously cannot get upset about a parent and child!

mosaic25 · 01/08/2023 02:01

That's not safe. I need to be faster than him.

Jesus, how fast does he go that you couldn't catch up if need be? Nonsense.

Children I understand but you don't need to be cycling alongside for 'safety' in fact I'd say you'd be better placed to assist on foot; walking or running.

Though it's all sounding a bit far fetched.

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