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!

there is one long stretch of cycle/pavements near to where I live and the cycle path changes a few times with the pavement. I do think someone in planning was a total twit as now the signs have worn out neither pedestrians or cyclists know which side they should be on at any stretch along about 2 miles - nightmare for both.

I try to avoid shared use paths if at all possible, but where I do have to mix it with pedestrians I tend to approach them very slowly and say 'Excuse me!' in my most carrying tone of voice (very carrying!).

Runners with headphones are the worst. You just have to slow to a walking pace and make sure you can been seen. Best of all - get off the paths and onto the road where you belong. Much safer!

rainydays

I wasn't. It wasn't my fault, in any way, at all. I can only assume you didn't bother reading the thread or my posts properly. So take your frustrations out on the people who deserve them, not me.

The main reason I was so pissed off with the snidey comments was because I was doing my best to be mindful of pedestrians. Who were wandering around in cycle paths.

Thanks to all of you supportive folks!

Best of all - get off the paths and onto the road where you belong

Erm, if it's a cycle path I belong on it!

But pedestrians have right of way. So, YABU. Don't swerve them, just slow down, and try not to run over old biddies.

I can't stand cyclists on our promenade and I wish, wish, wish they would ban them, especially at busy times. It's not split into lanes like yours but I don't think it would help if it was. Cyclists go way too fast and don't appreciate how many little children are wandering about. I've had several near misses with toddlers. Cyclists could really hurt someone.

If it's a cycle path, then cyclists have right of way, hence the name.
As to using a bell, I always find a cheery "may I get through please?" Does the trick.

I have a horn that says in a strangled voice

"I am big and squeezing through"

I hate using it though and usually cough or breath heavy

Sorry I don't have any sympathy for cyclists....I do for pedestrians, but cyclists really get up my nose because every time I have a near accident (NOT MY FAULT) it's a cyclist not giving me way, when car's have. Why don't cyclists give way and why do they go through red lights?

I think there should be some kind of cycling test for them, like a driving test. They should also hold insurance.

Yes, rainy, the red light thing gets me too. I live by a main road in London. Cyclists rarely respect the red lights for pedestrians and whizz straight through when the cars stop. Very dangerous, especially for children.

You sound like you're talking about the front at crosby huge prom split in half cyclists inside pedestrians outside... Ha No chance pedestrians wherever they want, the best is when they walk in the right bit but let their dog on it's lead wander to the grass. We just ride at them ringing all 4 bells loudly and shouting "scuse plese coming through " I don't listen to the snide comments I just smile sweetly and keep riding. It's not worth getting annoyed as long you are in the right.

rainydaysarebad Gosh just how big is your nose and how many can you fit up there all at once..?

I am glad I have insurance when I cycle, I dread to think of the outcome if I was sucked up a human nose

Some people take offence at you dinging the bell at them. You can't win.

Cyclists shouldn't run red lights, or come anywhere close to running over pedestrians crossing the road when all the cars have stopped.

But what most are trying to do though is just get to the front of the traffic (which may take them just beyond the traffic light without crossing into the path of oncoming traffic) to get a head start, so vehicles can see them and they don't get squished.

"because every time I have a near accident (NOT MY FAULT) it's a cyclist not giving me way, when car's have."

A 'near accident'?

In other words nothing happened at all.

Suggest you check your local newspaper for recent road casualties. I think you find they are caused by cars/other motor vehicles not giving way, driving while drunk, dangerously, etc., and none at all by cyclists.

"Why don't cyclists give way and why do they go through red lights?"

Because they can. Why do car drivers constantly break the speed limit, overtake cyclisys illegally, etc.?

" They should also hold insurance."

So should pedestrians, horse riders, people with dogs, OAPs on mobility scooters. Also nutters who insist on posting on every thread about cycling with inane 'cyclists should have insurance and don't stop at red lights' posts.

I cycle and don't give way to people where I have right of way - e.g. if I'm cycling along the road I wouldn't consider stopping to let someone out of a side road unless it was also a pedestrian crossing with a red light (yes, I always do stop at traffic lights). It takes an awful lot more effort for a cyclist to get back up to speed after stopping than a car and an awful lot of drivers don't seem to be able to make that teeny weeny effort.

Op, YANBU. I've started ignoring the people who stand in the middle of the cycle lane which is seperated from the pavement by a raised kerb and is painted bright green with pictures of bikes on it and cycle round them (going on to the road). Its not worth the effort and means you keep the moral high ground as well as improving your health and not adding to traffic.

Sorry Mary, not on my road. They just go straight through the lights. The more 'considerate' swing to the middle of the crossing to avoid you if you step out.

Haar haar, ivykaty!

"Why don't cyclists give way and why do they go through red lights?"

Because they can.

Because they can? Because they can?????!!!

Why do car drivers constantly break the speed limit, overtake cyclisys illegally, etc.?

Well, I don't know the answer to that...maybe it's because they can....

Oh, I know cyclists have ears. That's why I shout obscenities at the ones who zoom across zebra crossings/red lights while I'm walking on them, especially when they have the chutzpah to shout/ring their bell at me. I intend for them to hear me.

But in your case, OP, if someone walked across the cycle lane without looking, no you're not being U. The woman was being snide.

I'm not sure what your point is rainydays. Bicycles are essentially harmless (ok there's a rare accident, but compared to constant motor vehicle carnage it's nothing) so cyclists aren't really subject to the same amount of enforcement as say a Volvo XtremelyCuntish or whatever they are called. So if a cyclist goes through a red light that's essentially their choice based on their impatience/assessment of the traffic/whatever else.

Car drivers can get imprisoned for doing 100mph+ on the motorway but I see it every time I go out on the motorway. I wonder why they do it.

I know why - it is the same people that run red lights and speed in cars - they get on a bike and do the same thing, old habits die hard. It is thankful though that not so many bad drivers get on bikes

My point is, that cyclists shouldn't ride through red lights because they can 1: hurt any pedestrians waiting to cross. 2: Get themselves killed by cars pulling out of side roads thinking it's clear because of the red light ahead. The red lights are there for all road users to abide by. If most drivers can stop at crossings, then so can cyclists.

Also, bicycles are not harmless! I've seen a cyclist collide with a sign post and taken away in an ambulance because he went through a red light, and then swerved pedestrians. The idiot. I heard the bang when he bumped, and if he didn't break a rib or collar bone I would be suprised.

I work in a popular bike shop and a lot of my friends are cyclists, bmxers and roadies but I can see both sides.
I think there should be more clear rules for both parties.

I hate seeing people walking down cycle lanes, I hate seeing people driving in them but I also hate SOME cyclists who have no spacial awareness and hold people up.

But drivers don't obey the law, not in the slightest. They cause massive carnage and misery and suffering due to bad driving, impatience, not stopping at red lights (drivers shoot red lights hundreds of thousands of times per day across the country), etc.

Why don't you stop whining about cyclists and focus on the real killers.

Not sure what the point of your anecdote about a cyclist riding into a lamp post is. Seems like you are proving my point - he injured himself. Try that in a car (and plenty of people do), and it won't be the car driver that's injured - it will be an innocent third party.

Cycling is very Darwinian - if you cycle poorly you will end up hurt. Drive badly and you will just hurt somebody else.

Stunningcunt - What a stupid way to see things. I've seen a few times cyclists NEARLY cause accidents by going through red lights, and no that doesn't mean 'in other words nothing at all'. If it hadn't been for quick reactions on other drivers parts there WOULD have been a crash.

No-one should go through a red light. You're not only risking your own life whilst doing this but other peoples whether you're in a car or on a sodding tandem.