AIBU when out with my pushchair

[NotForSale]

To want to ram it into the ankles of anyone in front of me who walks really slow/ stops/ or cuts across me?

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People pushing big prams are never guilty of blocking pavements to have an impromptu group chat, of course...hmm

So you assume most people with prams travel in groups and block the pavement? I am always careful not to do this. That's rather like saying everyone with a wheelie-suitcase walks carelessly and trips people up with it.

Yes, of course people who do not have prams are guilty of blocking others too BUT they are not holding a biggish piece of machinery which might hurt someone's ankles or legs. That is the point

So it's ok for those without prams to block others?
A pram is hardly a 'piece of machinery'. Mine is small and light. Are you saying people with prams must always walk very slowly, in case someone unexpectedly stops/side-steps/walks into their path? Isn't it everyone's responsibility to watch where they're going? What do you think about people with shopping trollies, mobility aids, wheelchairs, suitcases on wheels, must they be restricted to slow speeds too? All of these 'biggish pieces of machinery' could hurt someone's legs or ankles, and can be cumbersome and heavy to manoeuvre... so why not do everyone a favour and give them room to pass? If they don't need to dodge around you, your ankles are safe.

If you must amble slowly down the very centre of the pavement, stand chatting in doorways, walk 3-abreast or text/smoke/daydream as you walk, at least be aware of others stuck behind you and let them pass!

Everyone has the right to get from A to B at a speed that suits them, and a responsibility not to collide with or obstruct others.

Not you, Francis.

CaraAspen I'm actually chuckling to myself!

FrancisCrawford

And what about the person who steps in front of you because they had to move out of the way of another pedestrian, possibly one barrelling along using a buggy as an offensive weapon?

One of these days that person you clip on the back of the legs is going to fall backwards onto your child. And it won't be their fault.

Maybe the stonking pram-pushers do not have the ability to go beyond the obvious. You are wasting your breath.

And what about the person who steps in front of you because they had to move out of the way of another pedestrian, possibly one barrelling along using a buggy as an offensive weapon?
One of these days that person you clip on the back of the legs is going to fall backwards onto your child. And it won't be their fault

So whose fault is it? If you stepped out in front of a car, would you blame the driver?

*likeacrow

CaraAspen I'm actually chuckling to myself!*

Ah well. I like Liam. Any excuse...

I hate it when people step over the front of the buggy as your walking

sabzii

And what about the person who steps in front of you because they had to move out of the way of another pedestrian, possibly one barrelling along using a buggy as an offensive weapon?
One of these days that person you clip on the back of the legs is going to fall backwards onto your child. And it won't be their fault

So whose fault is it? If you stepped out in front of a car, would you blame the driver?

And there we see the power of logic in its purely form!!!

FrancisCrawford no I don't know what it is.

Rather avoids the glaring misconception you are perpetuating- that disability is obvious. It isn't.

Seriously, if you stepped out in front of a pram and it clipped you, you would blame the pram-pusher for not anticipating your action?

How are they supposed to know you will step in front of them?

Or do you think prams should all travel at very low speeds just in case?

ShastaBeast You know if someone stepping in front of you deliberately and rudely is deliberately being rude and inconsiderate. Usually they're sighing and/or tutting at the same time to make it clear they're in far more of a rush than you, hence the cutting in front.

If on the rare occasions this has happened thus causing me to accidentally kick ankles it turns out they had an invisibile disability causing them to do this, I do apologise...

FrancisCrawford see previous response.

People with mobility aids - they will be slower than many for the simple reason they have impaired mobility, hence their use of an aid. That's blindingly obvious

Not necessarily slower... mobility scooters are often faster than average walking pace. Same with crutches and 4-wheeled walkers. My aunt uses a 4-wheeled walker and walks quickly (she has balance issues so the walker gives her stability and a place to store shopping). Why should she have to keep to a slow pace just in case someone walks carelessly? Is her time not as important as anyone else's?

lol I completely feel you on this one!

The other day I was walking down a main aisle of a shop and a lady came out of a side aisle rushing to squeeze out in front of me the pram went into her leg then she had the cheek to tell me not to push my pram into her fucking idiot!! It was a little heated after that!

you also have responsibility and have to avoid hitting them or colliding with them. Its called basic courtesy and not needlessly endangering other people and your child

I agree, and i'm always careful not to bump people. But I can't prevent people stepping in front of me or stopping suddenly. I'm not prepared to crawl along slowly just in case someone is careless. I will manouvre through gaps, say excuse me please, pick up speed wherever possible so I don't waste time!

It astounds me how many people are oblivious to others trying to get past. What's so difficult about keeping to one side or making room when you notice someone hurrying?

Yanbu. Although I did this by accident when dd was really little. Woman stopped in the middle of the path , during the fraction of second that I happened to look down. I apologised immediately but the woman started to have ago at me so walked away shaking my head - furious

The next time you clip someone on the ankles they might just fall onto your child

My child faces me in the pram, so no chance of someone landing on her unless they jumped over the hood.

I disagree that more than 2 ankle-clipping incidents means I am at fault. It depends how careful people are around you, how often you use it, what sort of place. Yes, humans are unpredictable but should have basic common sense to realise stepping in front of any vehicle or stopping suddenly in the street is likely to result in collision. Perhaps after having ankles clipped they will take more care in future.

I do adjust my pram-driving as I described upthread. In busy streets I slow down, and slow down even more when there are lots of elderly people/young children/people with mobility aids around. Are you saying all prams should travel very slowly all the time, in case someone steps in front?