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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not look both ways on a one way street

52 replies

itsmeitscathy · 05/04/2014 14:14

Twice this week, TWICE, I've nearly been run over by rogue cyclists going the wrong way down one way streets. AIBU to think this is their fault, not mine if they hit me? Thankfully I did look, but surely they're the unreasonable ones?I'm not talking about country roads- I mean 3 lane city centre style...

OP posts:
WorraLiberty · 05/04/2014 14:16

I'm confused Grin

You're thread title and the fact you said 'thankfully I did look', don't really match up.

I would advise anyone to look in both directions when crossing anything.

squeakytoy · 05/04/2014 14:18

Not sure if cyclists are exempt from one way street rules but surely common sense should tell you to use the split second it takes to check both ways.. Just in case.

Original poster
itsmeitscathy · 05/04/2014 14:22

Good point, I do look both ways but I feel like I look like an idiot as nothing should be coming the wrong way.
The first time I looked as I crossed (oops) and nearly became mush on the road and the cyclist had the cheek to give me a good old glare Confused

I genuinely want to know though - are cyclists allowed to do this?surely not?!

OP posts:
cakeymccakington · 05/04/2014 14:22

yes, it would be their fault.

but i can't not look both ways. it's so ingrained!

owlbegoing · 05/04/2014 14:22

I can't see how cycles are exempt from one way street rules Hmm
I think you just had the misfortune to run into nearly literally entitled idiots Angry

Nocomet · 05/04/2014 14:22

Always look both ways not only do we have cyclists, but we also have one way streets that allow buses to go the other way. Controlled by lights so ok driving, but easy to forget on foot when crossing it.

Original poster
itsmeitscathy · 05/04/2014 14:24

There seems to be an epidemic of them just now - the other day a guy on a bike rode by on the wrong side of a two way road...dangerous much?!

OP posts:
RhinestoneCowgirl · 05/04/2014 14:24

Given that I've often seen cars driving the wrong way down a one way street, I always look both ways.

RhinestoneCowgirl · 05/04/2014 14:26

Also round here there's several streets which are one way to cars but two way to bikes (clearly signposted)

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 05/04/2014 14:27

Of course YABU! Does it really take so much longer to check both ways?

And yes, one way streets are often just for cars, and also are often ignored/driven down the wrong way accidentally.

Pleasejustgo · 05/04/2014 14:27

Cyclists are above all laws. Very U to think otherwise Wink

Original poster
itsmeitscathy · 05/04/2014 14:29

I was trying to be lighthearted...I do look but my point is it's one way - no one should be going the wrong way :D

OP posts:
Lweji · 05/04/2014 14:30

YANBU about cyclists. They piss me off when riding against traffic if I'm driving too.

But on one way roads you could get cars reversing too. Or the odd car that didn't realise it was a one way street Shock. So, always look both ways.

CorusKate · 05/04/2014 14:30

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Offred · 05/04/2014 14:30

No cyclists are not allowed but there is confusion because of a media story a few years ago so many probably think they are allowed. Legally the cyclist would be at fault but from a common sense perspective I always look both ways. I live on a one way street and you would not believe the number of car drivers who drive the wrong way up it. Often in reverse and often as quickly as possible because obviously that makes it better! Hmm

Nomama · 05/04/2014 14:31

In town there is a one way street with a contrary cycle path, it stops half way up and diverts down a side street. I am really aware of it as I used to cycle and used it a lot.

Last year I got hit by a cyclist 50yards passed the end of the cycle lane. I was bruised he needed an ambulance - he remained conscious but broke his arm.

As he was giving his statement to the police he shouted at me that I should have looked both ways there was a cycle lane. The policeman pointed down the road and said 'that one sir?', he even took a picture to go along with the statement.

Handy as when the cyclist took me to small claims court the policeman's paperwork made the judge very angry, and I got a nice payout - one I would not have asked for had he not sued me!

BackforGood · 05/04/2014 14:32

It may be their fault, but that doesn't make your pain from your injuries any less - I mean why wouldn't you look - it's just instinctive as you approach a road, and takes a part of one second, so, yes, I'd say anyone who didn't look both ways was BU.

TheHamster · 05/04/2014 14:34

I would always look but it'd be their fault.

CorusKate · 05/04/2014 14:40

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

LRDtheFeministDragon · 05/04/2014 15:28

Of course it'd be their fault.

I'd look, though. Cars can reverse on a one-way street (not saying they should, but they do), and someone reversing into a parking space (which you can do on a one way street) could still be going fast enough to hurt you quite badly if you suddenly stepped out into its path.

Goblinchild · 05/04/2014 15:31

Yes, it would be their fault if they ran into you. But as I always told my two, I'd rather you weren't in the right and dead.
Rather like crossing on green and watching foir wankers who drive through.

Nomama · 05/04/2014 15:32

I know, CorusKate. That's what made the judge so very angry. She had a good shout at him.

Apparently there was CCTV that showed he was whizzing along and had waved his arms about a bit, just before he hit me. He travelled quite a way before he stopped too.

BackforGood, the mile or so of road I was walking on is pedestrianised except for buses. The bike lane is only on the very end of it, to get cyclists across a nasty junction. I cycled it every day for about 3 years. I didn't think I was being unreasonable not to look behind me as I was walking/ambling around the shops (buses being so very obvious and all).

Offred · 05/04/2014 15:35

Cars can reverse into a parking space from 1 car length away but they can't drive in reverse. That's illegal.

Offred · 05/04/2014 15:37

Cyclist have a duty to take care of more vulnerable road users as car drivers do. Right of way does not mean right to run someone over/off the road for anyone car driver or cyclist.

However, that doesn't really mean it is a good plan to wander aimlessly without looking!

SizzlesSit · 05/04/2014 15:38

I look both ways and unfortunately, living in Paris have to be careful on pavements cos regularly (at least once a week, often more) I get overtaken in the pavement by a motorbike/scooter Angry. Have even been beeped by a motorbike driving up behind me so I'd get out if his way!

I agree you shouldn't have to but it makes sense to do it as there are some real idiots out there.