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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To expect cyclists not to ride on the pavement and not expect pedestrians to move out of their way!

342 replies

ophelia275 · 22/06/2012 19:37

I am so sick of having to swerve the pushchair or move out of the way so that some idiot on a bicycle can avoid the traffic by cycling on the pavement and expect me to stand aside with my kids/pushchair/shopping so that they can ride past. Sometimes (when I am not with my kids) I stand firm and don't move out of their way so they have to get off or be patient and wait until I have walked past.

When I was quite heavily pregnant I was walking along and this guy on a bike came zooming up and shouted "move" and just pushed past me. Nob.

Grrr. Hate them!

OP posts:
Sparks1 · 23/06/2012 14:16

Sorry, that should say "most cyclists are considerate"

That being the case why can they not frequent the pathway to the benefit of all and rid themselves of the danger of all these dangerous car drivers?

TheCreepingLurgy · 23/06/2012 14:17

OneHandFlapping
That person was a nob indeed to do something so dangerous and stupid.

Thank you for wording it as such, and not jumping to the conclusion that therefore all cyclists are dangerous and stupid and thinking they're above the law, which then gives you the right forego considering their safety, like some seem to think.

ArielThePiraticalMermaid · 23/06/2012 14:26

Sparks, you just quoted me back directly yet still don't appear to understand. MOST cyclists are considerate implies that some are INconsiderate. People who ride bikes are not one homogenous group. Most drive cars as well. They often also use their legs to put one foot in front of the other on the pavement as well.

saggarmakersbottomknocker · 23/06/2012 14:31

Agreed Creeping. That's the crux of it. People encounter dodgy cyclists and think it's OK to tar all with the same brush. If I started a thread stating all drivers were twats, all dogwalkers tossers and all pedestrians brainless morons I'd be flamed yet it seems that cyclists are fair game to be lumped altogether and have drivers unleash their anger at one on all they encounter.

Bit crap really.

Sparks1 · 23/06/2012 14:32

Sparks, you just quoted me back directly yet still don't appear to understand. MOST cyclists are considerate implies that some are INconsiderate. People who ride bikes are not one homogenous group. Most drive cars as well. They often also use their legs to put one foot in front of the other on the pavement as well.

Indeed. Which is why i'd rather all cyclists were given the freedom of the footpath. Except they wouldn't like that would they, because then they'd be the ones having to take responsibility as they'd be the bully of the pedestrian and not a victim of the motorist anymore.

As a pro biker has already said " skinny bike". So why does it require a 3 metre wide highway? It doesn't.

saggarmakersbottomknocker · 23/06/2012 14:38

oh FGS.

Sparks1 · 23/06/2012 14:42

oh FGS.

Is the usual response to such a reasoned proposal with no downside for any party involved...

saggarmakersbottomknocker · 23/06/2012 14:48

The proposal is fine Sparks. Go for it, lobby the government for a change in the law. It was the assumption that cyclists lack responsibility and prefer to be 'victims of the motorist' that rendered me momentarily speechless.

Sparks1 · 23/06/2012 15:11

The proposal is fine Sparks. Go for it, lobby the government for a change in the law. It was the assumption that cyclists lack responsibility and prefer to be 'victims of the motorist' that rendered me momentarily speechless.

Why would i, to my mind the cyclists should be lobbying for such.

I had an incident in central London a number of months ago where a cyclist had undertaken a concrete lorry that had been clearly indicating left. She died.

A safety alert was issued to the drivers. Fine. I was saddened by the loss of life but also amazed by the inference being the driver was at fault. Which he wasn't.

To my mind cyclists have over played their victim card. And that's why i'd suggest my idea has no counter argument.

Pan · 23/06/2012 15:37

Sparks,

may I refer you to these three refs to deaths in London so far this year:

driver arrested for dangerous driving

driver arrested for dangerous driving as well

driver arrested for causing death by careless driving

I imagine it must be quite difficult to get a prosecution for killing someone, unless there are witnesses.
Wouldn't mind seeing a link to the case you refer to as well. tbh I have no idea what a 'safety alert' means. IT could mean for eg 'we think you were likely to have been at fault here from what evidence we see but nothing enough to sustain a prosecution.

The 'victim card' reference is really not on.

saggarmakersbottomknocker · 23/06/2012 15:37

Well it's your idea Sparks and you think it's a good one and what cyclists should be doing. You seem to know what's best for cyclists.

When I'm on my bike I'm considered a vehicle, I should be on the road and I should be able to cycle there without fearing for my life. Is that playing the victim card? Hmm You don't want us on the road because you say we hold you up, simply as. A bit selfish no? Easier and safer all round would be for some drivers to be a bit more patient and considerate. And yes for some cyclists to be a it more sensible.

Pan · 23/06/2012 15:42

Have googled 'woman cyclist killed in London 2012' but no info. There was a 22 yo woman killed in Dec 2011 but no detail as to 'who was at fault'. Not saying you are making it up, just curious as to how you know the detail of the case.

thanks.

CarnivorousPanda · 23/06/2012 18:01

Pan thats such a sad and depressing article.
41 people and we're not half way through this year yet...........

Pan · 23/06/2012 18:37

yes, I know. According to the other articles deaths are on the up.

Makes me really think about how safe we really are, even taking all of the possible precautions and riding defensively.

Mogyzogwon · 23/06/2012 20:24

10 PAGES and I posted on page 1, so will skip all to add:

The cycle tossers are not required to have insurance !!!???? A few years ago a moron on a bike tried to overtake me whilst I was turning right and I was clearly indicating. Said moron crashed into my new car rolling over the bonnet and coming to rest in the road. I went over to check he was o k and asked whether he had seen me indicating. Yes he said and thought he could get past.

I asked about his insurance..............none!!!!!!!! Do you know how much it costs to repair/paint the door and wing on a Porsche 911? It is eye watering!

Another hate is watching them cycle over zebra crossings Angry

Loads of the fuckers will be out tomorrow Sunday especially if it's a nice dayAngry I think I'll stay in.

ArielThePiraticalMermaid · 23/06/2012 20:42

"The cycle tossers"
"the fuckers"
"They can get fucked"

Has Clarkson taken over?

saggarmakersbottomknocker · 23/06/2012 20:59

Yes do stay in Mog.

Not Clarkson Ariel, he doesn't drive a Porsche911. Even he's not that much of a twat.

BoneyBackJefferson · 23/06/2012 21:04

funny story.

Driving to work Friday morning (the horror)
I saw a cyclist on the path (no got to the funny bit yet)
I pulled up at the traffic lights, only to see the same cyclist on the road undertake me (filter,whatever) and then pull in to the centre of the road in front of my car, then ride in front of me to the next set of lights which he then jumped.

I can only assume (this is the funny bit) that he only did it to try and piss me off, I honestly cannot see another reason for it.

BoneyBackJefferson · 23/06/2012 21:08

should say "jumped the red light"

Pedallleur · 23/06/2012 21:44

Another long thread about a repeated subject. Cyclists aren't required to have insurance just as most motorists wouldn't if it was optional (and apparently 1 million don't anyway). yes people cycle on the pavement and can be rude/selfish. It's human nature but plenty of cyclists and bike riders are sensitive to other people.That's how it is. I'm glad Mogyzogwon is staying in as I wouldn't want to share the road with someone who has 'issues'

Pan · 23/06/2012 22:09

yes, if Mog can't control herself, she probably isn't emotionally skilled enough to drive a ton of metal and glass.

ivykaty44 · 23/06/2012 22:09

i think MN should have a cyclist on the pavement section - then all the threads can be together, each with a 1000 posts of frustration

it could slot in next to the peeing in the bath section

HipHopOpotomus · 23/06/2012 22:12

My baby, 4 yo and I dodged several big men cycling on pavement today. Like we do most days. Not much pisses me off more. Angry

Pedallleur · 23/06/2012 22:19

When I'm cycling I'm often dodging big/little men and women in big/little cars. These drivers get to close,cut me up, go through red lights, fail to indicate, drive too close to the vehicle in front. But we could go on with this ad nauseum