To remind you that cyclists have ears too?

[cuntflapwankbadger]

At the weekend, went to the beach to do cycling along the coastal path, which is split in half, one side for pedestrians, one side for cyclists.

More than once, whilst cycling in the appropriate part of the lane, I had snippy remarks made by pedestrians. Such as "you'd think they'd use their bell" (directed at me when a lady suddenly walked across the front of my bike in the cycle lane as I was about to pass. No mishap, and we'd both said "sorry!" and started to carry on when the man with her piped up) and "you'd think they'd get off and walk" as I was getting off my bike to walk. (cycle path quite busy with pedestrians but still cycle-able if I'd wanted).

I didn't make comments or give looks at all the pedestrians hogging the cycle lane, so why is it appropriate to be a twunt to me, using the cycle lane as I should? Be aware I can hear you and be aware that some paths are for cyclists too and pay attention to signs!

Hmm... excellent plan, everyone will hear my coming! I am going to get spokie dokies and a honky horn too.

I think lots of people are unnecessarily twattish about cyclists, who are kindly not adding to the amount of pollution created by cars and not adding to the car traffic. :(

We need rules. Actual, proper rules.

Pedestrians need to know that when a cyclist chings at them, they're issuing a friendly warning and are not being aggressive. Cyclists need to know it's OK to ching you're bell (and that they should do so when approaching walkers).

Both parties are liable to be tossers at times; both parties need to stop this.

You'll never win as a cyclist. You'll get your 'use the fucking bell' comment and then you'll get someone (as posted her not long ago) moaning because she had a cyclist ring the bell as a warning.
mutters something about you can please some of the people some of the time..

I am going to get spokie dokies and a honky horn too

They must be some sized ears you've got there!

just ask if they are illegitimate as well as illiterate?

I find if I flap them worra it helps me to go faster.

But only in your head - I should add.

It is thought as of proper by a lot of old school cyclists to never engage in a row with a motorist or pedestrian.

Smile and pedal on

think of yourself as a swimmer with big broad shoulders.

Thanks ivy, I shall take cycle the high road!

And thinking about the thread title, I actually think it sounds like I am begging for a charity. That has something to do with cyclist ears.

I was cycling in the cycle lane the other day and there were some yoofs walking in it (rather than the adjacent pavement). Dinged my bell and they were 'alwight alwight' in a pissed off tone.

I try to avoid using my bell, it pisses people off. Just go round them silently.

Actually it's hard to buy a decent bell. I just bought one from Tiger, I think it was this one www.tigerstores.co.uk/tiger_essentials/diy_hardware_bicycle/bicycle_bell_99729.html

THe slide type ones are much better than the 'ding' ones.

Frankly you may as well be hung for a sheep as a lamb etc and as you cycle along bray in a very upper class accent "coming through make way" that should cause a stir people will really hate that .

OMG you just made me snort at the computer kerala! I so want to "bray"! Fnrr fnrr.

What noise does a slide bell make?

You need one of those horns that play la cucaracha!

Oooh yes, do as kerala says, think of yourself channeling Chummy from Call the Midwife!

My neighbour has a horn that plays the theme from Dukes of Hazzard (tv series), you should get one too, it's really classy.

Bicycle bells

This might be more effective:

You must have been riding really erratically to get comments like that. Maybe calm down a bit whilst riding your bike...it's not a race between you and pedestrians you know. Also, please get one of those mirrors attached to your bike so you can see behind you and stuff, because most cyclists I come across seem to have a death wish on the road. Also please don't ever put headphones in your ears and ride - if you have ears, use them to hear cars and stuff. Thanks.

rainydaysarebad - is your post for real?

No ivykat44, it's a figment of your imagination .

I hate pointed comments. Just say it to me properly if you have an issue! Grrr.

While we're on the topic of cyclists, can anyone clear up for me where the law stands on people cycling along pavements - not cycle lanes, just common old pedestrian pavements. I remember when I lived in London that there were signs everywhere saying there was a £500 penalty for cycling on the pavement instead of the road, but up here that either doesn't apply or nobody cares. Every day I walk the kids to school, we have to dodge 3 or 4 blokes* whizzing by on their bikes.

*N.B. clearly I don't object to children riding on the pavement instead of the road, but fully grown adults wearing helmets and padded safety gear ought to be on the road, surely?

ignore rainyday. If you are going to cycle you will get comments like those you heard. You either talk back, or ignore.

Yesterday my DH was cycling down the middle of a road (a narrow road, but a road nontheless) and a group of tourist were standing there. he rang his bell as he slowed down, most of them moved, he rang again 1 was left in the middle, clearly oblivious to the fact my DH was there. he politely said excuse me, the tourist moved, but someone else said manners to him. He hadn't hit them, he hadn't cycled through them, he had slowed but was trying to avoid them. Pedestrians who are not used to bikes don't hear them approach.

No-one would ever say anything like that if I was trying to push my buggy by at the same speed as my DH was travelling (which i could do - he really had slowed down to a virtual stop) and suggest manners even if I had had to speak several times.

Personally I think tha's the problem.. Non cyclist do not know the rules of the roads when it comes to bikes. For example the picture of a bike on a pavement means it is a cycletrack or a shared space, just like it is ina bus lane, that it is legal to go both on the left and on the right of traffic which is basiclaly stationery, that putting your car in the forward stop box for cyclists is in fact driving through a red light and illegal, but the bikes are allowed, and supposed to be there, and that's where they are heading.

Now not all cyclists always follow the rules of the road, but on my average cycle into work I see more cars taxis and buses go through red lights than I do bikes (and I see a lot of them) we all just need to slow down and respect each other without sarcasm.

There's not really a £500 penalty for cycling on the pavement. It is £30 fixed penalty.

Generally in most places the police don't enforce. And yes generally cyclists should be on the road but it does depend sometimes it is better to cycle on certain pavements that cycling is technically not allowed on while on others where it is allowed it's better not to cycle there.

As a walker you have to watch out for so much and cycle lanes are not easy to keep out of sometimes and a cyclist can suddenly come upon you. Why can't everyone be nice and just ignore if can't say anything nice to each other.

rainydaysarebad phew - thank goodness for that!