Coming home from work last night on a shared path over one of the bridges out of Perth city, I (very gently) hit my first pedestrian while on the bike.
I was riding on a shared path over a bridge. Two women in their twenties were walking side by side taking up the whole path. I rang my bell and one went to each side, but as I was almost upon them, the one on the left decided to join her friend. Without looking. Or thinking. Luckily I was travelling at little more than walking pace so I barely touched her.
I hope my cry of 'madam, please be careful - you could be injured if hit by a bike' (or something similar but shorter and with perhaps some more emphatic words) gave her such a fright that she will not do the same stupid thing again.
"SteveA" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
Coming home from work last night on a shared path over one of the bridges out of Perth city, I (very gently) hit my first pedestrian while on the bike.
Which bridge was it? I've come *very* close to hitting peds on the Causeway, the Narrows and the Claisebrook footbridge, although I think I ride with a lot more caution than many people. I think something about bridges addles the mind of the pedestrian.
Coming home from work last night on a shared path over one of the bridges out of Perth city, I (very gently) hit my first pedestrian while on the bike.
I was riding on a shared path over a bridge. Two women in their twenties were walking side by side taking up the whole path. I rang my bell and one went to each side, but as I was almost upon them, the one on the left decided to join her friend. Without looking. Or thinking. Luckily I was travelling at little more than walking pace so I barely touched her.
I hope my cry of 'madam, please be careful - you could be injured if hit by a bike' (or something similar but shorter and with perhaps some more emphatic words) gave her such a fright that she will not do the same stupid thing again.
I hope my cry of 'madam, please be careful - you could be injured if hit by a bike' (or something similar but shorter and with perhaps some more emphatic words) gave her such a fright that she will not do the same stupid thing again.
At least she moved out of the way.
I come across a woman who parked her [censored] in the middle of the bikepath while changing her kid's nappy.
Airhorns and all. She looked at me as if to say "what, you expect me to get up?" -- Linux Registered User # 302622 <http://counter.li.org>
(my opnion) never ring the bell, it just spooks them like pigeons & then what do you do. Go through or around, or maybe wait behind.
Warning devices like bells, horns & whistles usually have the effect of freezing people to the spot. Good if you want to go around maybe, but not to have them move aside for you.
You left it till you were "almost upon them" to warn them. When one panicked, as human beings are apt to do, you mouthed off at her.
Another PR victory for cycling and cyclists.
You've miss-quoted him. He actually said "I rang my bell and one went to each side, but as I was almost upon them, the one on the left decided to join her friend". He MAY have warned them well in advance, but I wouldn't say there was enough information to pass judgement.
True, I would be very nervous about passing between two pedestrians, for exactly the reason our friend discovered. But then again I am pretty nervous travelling along shared paths most of the time.
Coming home from work last night on a shared path over one of the bridges out of Perth city, I (very gently) hit my first pedestrian while on the bike.
I was riding on a shared path over a bridge. Two women in their twenties were walking side by side taking up the whole path. I rang my bell and one went to each side, but as I was almost upon them, the one on the left decided to join her friend. Without looking. Or thinking. Luckily I was travelling at little more than walking pace so I barely touched her.
I hope my cry of 'madam, please be careful - you could be injured if hit by a bike' (or something similar but shorter and with perhaps some more emphatic words) gave her such a fright that she will not do the same stupid thing again.
SteveA
I had a pedestrian step out onto the road without looking, my screams of watch out weren't heard because of the music blarring in her ears. End result, I clipped her with my brake lever, I hit the deck and lost my cadence in the process. She was unhurt of course.
Some pedestrians bother to take notice of the world around them, others seem to think the world revolves around them and others don't take any notice at all.
Some pedestrians bother to take notice of the world around them, others seem to think the world revolves around them and others don't take any notice at all.
I've come *very* close to hitting peds on the Causeway, the Narrows and the Claisebrook footbridge
That's nothing! I've come very close to squishing 3 or 4 cycling policemen just next to the Claisebrook footbridge. I drove round the corner (unfortunately I have a job that needs a car) to be greeted by 4 police bikes coming towards me on the wrong side of the road. Luckily I was only doing about 20km/h and "came to a halt in a controlled fashion" (as my driving instructor used to say) and they trundled on a few yards to nick someone for not wearing a helmet. I don't think they even noticed me, they were so focussed on the wanton law breaker! 🙂
You've miss-quoted him. He actually said "I rang my bell and one went to each side, but as I was almost upon them, the one on the left decided to join her friend". He MAY have warned them well in advance, but I wouldn't say there was enough information to pass judgement.
True, I would be very nervous about passing between two pedestrians, for exactly the reason our friend discovered. But then again I am pretty nervous travelling along shared paths most of the time.
Cheers, Craigster.
The warning was well in advance of my approach, the bike was slowed right down when I got to them. If either had been a kid I would not have gone past them, as it can almost be guaranteed that kids will change their minds and move into your path.
And yes, I did say something to her about how she could have been badly hurt by stepping in front of a bike. I doubt my words of warning would have set back cyclist/pedestrian relations to any extent. Anyway, I ALWAYS give a cheery thank-you to pedestrians who move over for me so I have probably been helping to further cyclist/pedestrian relations over the years.
"SteveA" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
Coming home from work last night on a shared path over one of the bridges out of Perth city, I (very gently) hit my first pedestrian while on the bike.
Which bridge was it? I've come *very* close to hitting peds on the Causeway, the Narrows and the Claisebrook footbridge, although I think I ride with a lot more caution than many people. I think something about bridges addles the mind of the pedestrian.
Cheers David M
Causeway it was. I use all of those (and the Polly Farmer bridge as well) on different occasions to get between home and work.
On the Claisebrook footbridge, I always dismount and walk the bike over. I notice that I am in the minority of cyclists who do this, even though there are signs at each end that tell you to dismount. I've never seen Mr Plod there, but I suspect there could be a fine involved for riding on the bridge.
The warm weather seems to bring the less experienced pedeatrian out for a walk around 6.30pm too. Perhaps they have had an early dinner and decided to take a nice relaxing walk. With all that digestion going on, maybe there is not sufficient blood going to their brains.
I was riding on a shared path over a bridge. Two women in their twenties were walking side by side taking up the whole path. I rang my bell and one went to each side, but *as I was almost upon them*, the one on the left decided to join her friend. Without looking. Or thinking. Luckily I was travelling at little more than walking pace so I barely touched her. SteveA
Causeway it was. I use all of those (and the Polly Farmer bridge as well) on different occasions to get between home and work.
Man you are either brave or crazy. I rode across the Causeway 'shared' path once and decided never to do so again. Since that time whenever I have to cross the Causeway I use the road. In the afternoons when the sea breeze is in it's not too hard to keep up with the flow of traffic.
Causeway it was. I use all of those (and the Polly Farmer bridge as well) on different occasions to get between home and work.
Man you are either brave or crazy. I rode across the Causeway 'shared' path once and decided never to do so again. Since that time whenever I have to cross the Causeway I use the road. In the afternoons when the sea breeze is in it's not too hard to keep up with the flow of traffic.
-- Brett[/QUOTE] The advantage of the shared path is that the transition onto Canning Highway is easier. I then have a quick sprint with the traffic on Berwick Street.
I come across a woman who parked her [censored] in the middle of the bikepath while changing her kid's nappy.
Airhorns and all. She looked at me as if to say "what, you expect me to get up?"
Commercial/industrial chiller/display unit plus deep fryer/griddle unit suitable for a hamburger joint, all stainless steel, plus two Barbies and attendant make-up, continuity, photographer, director, client rep, etc. completely blocking the path in the park between the Burnley Blvd and the pontoons. Swore at me when I suggested that they should find somewhere else.
Barbecue right in the middle of the path roughly behind the Stokehouse in St Kilda. Ethnic cooking and old women in black. Told me to "F*** off, skippy" when I tried to get past.
"SteveA" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
Coming home from work last night on a shared path over one of the bridges out of Perth city, I (very gently) hit my first pedestrian while on the bike.
I was riding on a shared path over a bridge. Two women in their twenties were walking side by side taking up the whole path. I rang my bell and one went to each side, but as I was almost upon them, the one on the left decided to join her friend. Without looking. Or thinking. Luckily I was travelling at little more than walking pace so I barely touched her.
I hope my cry of 'madam, please be careful - you could be injured if hit by a bike' (or something similar but shorter and with perhaps some more emphatic words) gave her such a fright that she will not do the same stupid thing again.
SteveA
-- SteveA
I hit my first ped about a week ago. A pair of girls walked out in front of me whilst I was heading downhill on Bridge Rd in Richmond. I was far enough out to avoid dooring, but I couldn't avoid them. I only had time for a short, loud, Saxon word and as I clouted her I managed to lean forward enough that I hit with my relatively round, soft shoulder rather than my pointy, hard (and upon reflection, expensive) STI brake lever and got my front wheel to one side of her. I hit her hard enough to knock her about 8 feet sideways literally out of her shoes (one wound up under my bike). No damage to people or property so, after checking myself and the bike and noting that she was gibbering with shock but otherwise unhurt, I just rode off.
Commercial/industrial chiller/display unit plus deep fryer/griddle unit suitable for a hamburger joint, all stainless steel, plus two Barbies and attendant make-up, continuity, photographer, director, client rep, etc. completely blocking the path in the park between the Burnley Blvd and the pontoons. Swore at me when I suggested that they should find somewhere else.
Barbecue right in the middle of the path roughly behind the Stokehouse in St Kilda. Ethnic cooking and old women in black. Told me to "F*** off, skippy" when I tried to get past.
You really think they'd be able to catch you when you ride past pushing all the food onto the ground with your pump? How about a nice 'snot rocket' marinade?
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