Cycling etiquette

[oldgrandmama]

I know, after the mauling from my last post, I said I'd go and never darken the Mumsnet doors again, but I'm a bit peeved and would welcome the comments from the lovely ladies here. I am walking along an Islington road. A lady cyclist - at a glance, I estimate in her late thirties, suitably accoutred in crash helmet (excellent - wish all cyclists would wear one) and nice lycra gear, comes bombing towards me. As she approaches me, fast, because, I suppose, I don't move fast, she shrieks: 'Get out of my WAY, you stupid old [c] word!'

Despite my seventy plus years, I hurl my arthritic self sideways into the hedge and railings, because, YES, you got it, I am actually walking along the PAVEMENT, where I though pedestrians were supposed safely to be able to walk without being called 'stupid old [c]' words or being in danger of run down by cyclists.

Now, before the more vehement graduates of the Mumsnet charm school pour scorching vitriol on my white head, I have absolutely NO OBJECTION to kids cycling along pavements. In fact, I would encourage it, since traffic is lethal in so many places. But, really - adults using pavements as thoroughfares? That 'lady' who shrieked at me is not a one-off - an awful lot of cyclists seem to consider it a handy cycle-lane and this is not good. Not just for ancient crones such as I, but for everyone - a mum with a pushchair and toddler is especially at risk.

OK - puts on tin helmet ...

YANB completely U. If a cyclist's coming up behind me on the pavement, I spread out as much as I can & slow down.

LOVE it, SDTGAnEvilWolefGenius - I'm 'passive-aggressive'. Wow, bring it on. I'm an ancient crone, more metal joints than genuine bone ones and many of my innards 'down there' scooped out, and I won't bore you with my rebuilt nose (not a happy story, but one that's a salutory lesson about the dangers of sun damage ...). So, I take it as a compliment that I'm still 'down there with the gals' and passive-aggressive with the best of them. As opposed to just aggressive, which it strikes me the occasional (!) MN poster is.

You will fit right in, oldgrandma - welcome!

. I think in young persons parlance you need to take a chill pill I am 43

I go on the pavements all the time, I see one pedestrian every mile typically. Which is when I get off the pavement.
Sorry you had a bad time OP.

Chill pill? What do your recommend?

As a sidebar, cycling on pavements can be dangerous for the cyclist too - today I was wheeling my bike (scaredy novice cyclist) and moved it across the pavement to cross the road (at a zebra crossing) when a kid cycling on the pavement came up behind me and nearly crashed into my bike. Fair enough children can cycle on pavements (and believe me, at the moment I would if I thought it was acceptable!) but parents should teach them that other people don't expect them to be there.

I think I would have pushed her off stood my ground, whilst shouting "FOOTPATH, IT'S A F'ING FOOTPATH, NOT CYCLE ROUTE YOU ENTITLED BITCH". But that's just me...

Nothing passive aggressive there ;)

Btw Oldgrandmama I understand that there are many MNers past retirement age, so maybe a bit less with the 'youth of today' mode of address? I'm sorry you met a nutter cyclist though.

Having lurked for years I have joined just so I can post my admiration for oldgrandmama. Now I shall retreat to the shadows again.

YANBU!

Where I live people tend to cycle on the pavements - very quiet residential area - roads are a nightmare for cyclists due to the parked cars. But, everyone always stops or moves on to the road when they see a pedestrian (maybe once a week!).

Yesterday, I had to jump out of the way of a cyclist who went through a red light at a crossing (it was a green man). I don't know why some think they don't have to abide by the rules of the road.

Obviously YANBU! Whoever that cyclist was is an absolute pyschopath - sorry on behalf of all of those of us who use two wheels responsibly.

I was pro-cyclists - now turning against them. We have a very acceptable cycle path (millions spent on it) - running about 100 meters from the main road, with plenty of access to the villages off I- through where I live and yet they love to cycle on the sodding A road. Really pisses me off esp in rush hour traffic.

Now, before the more vehement graduates of the Mumsnet charm school pour scorching vitriol on my white head

Irony on MN! - tres risky as many of the vehement have a subtlety bypass

But no, that cyclist is not a one off sadly. My grandmother used to carry a walking dick and she knew how to use it :)

Errrm...stick!

lazyjaney! I love autocorrect.

I'm another proper cyclist and her behaviour was astonishing and indefensible. I don't think it's a common occurrence or in any way typical of your average cyclist, so I hope no one generalises that woman's appalling behaviour to all people on bicycles. (mode of ttansport makes no one a twat. These people are twats before they ever get on a bike or into a car).

However, can we please stop talking about shoving walking sticks into spokes. Threatening assault or causing serious injury is no way to behave or fix the issue. I certainly don't find it funny.

Cyclists are subject to enough physical harm and intimidation from the motorist. Often the only reason moron cyclist is even on the pavement is because they're too scared to take their rightful place on the road, thanks to bullies in cars.

yankee I have, on some stretches of road chosen not to use the cycle lane (and no cyclist is legally obliged to). This is almost always for safety reasons. some cycle lanes are badly made and inherently unsafe - deep-set drains, used as a parking area, detritus in it, fails to allow cyclist to turn right, too broken up and not continuous enough to be much use, lots of side roads where cars stop in the cycle lane and THEN check for traffic) that the road is the safer or better option. If a LOT of cyclists are avoiding thr cycle lane, it is probably for good reason. Normally cyclists love a decent lane where they don't have to be so on guard all the time

lazyjaney, I LOVE the thought of a 'walking dick' ... in seventy something or other years I've met a fair few of them (and, ahem, married some).

She's a twat and as a cyclist I have been known to shout 'pavements are for pedestrians!' loudly when a cyclist hurtles down the pavement. Fair enough if parking and tbh I don't get do bothered if they are flow / with kids, but if you want to go faster than the average run & uou're an adult you belong on the road.

megsmouse, I would have no objection to someone cycling on the pavement with a child on the back of the bike.

I'm sure they wouldn't bomb along and shout obscenities at pedestrians but would be aware of their own and everyone else's safety. No, it's just arrogant cyclist adults who think they own every bit of space, road or pavement. And yes, they also assume that traffic lights do not apply to them. I once say a cyclist run down a pedestrian who was crossing, on the 'Green Man', at Oxford Circus. The poor woman was left lying in the road, while the lout just cycled on.

I've never been called what you were called grandmama but hate adult cyclists on the pavement. I use one of these www.mobilitysmart.cc/topro-troja-4-wheel-rollator-12979.html when I go out, maybe I'll take my walking stick with me as well for just such an occasion.

Having had 3 hip replacements (no I don't have 3 hips ) my walking is a bit wobbly and having a cyclist zoom past is unnerving.

The cyclist was bang out of order! At her age she is more than capable of cycling on the road!

Hope you're ok :)