Do pedestrians ever get hit by cyclists

Hot Orange

I got hit by a pedestrian once.

I fell off, he got coffee on his briefcase.

I suppose that was my fault too?

Well, yeah. Drinking coffee while riding your bike is asking for trouble.

Radioactiveman

Just read all this thread and what a load of cobblers.

I am guessing the people in defence of the ipod wearing blind idiots are in fact ipod wearing blind idiots?

I have had a couple of near misses and did all I could to avoid them. However if I am on a road I will ride whatever speed is safe for the road. On my 12 mile commute if I stuck to 10 miles per hour ,taking it safely just in case a person steps out it would take me nearly twice as long to get to work. And as for throwing myself into danger to avoid the peds I would have been dead several times over.

I would pay attention to the bolox ppl are spouting if they quoted the relevant section of highway code or laws that state idiots with ipods on can walk where they want and cyclists should go slow in the vicinity of people and make all attempts to avoid them including suicide by lorry. Bunch of liberal mincers.

kurako

dondare wrote:

Apart from anything else, some are deaf, some are blind and some have "learning difficulties"; you shouldn't ride your bike in a way that only allows the agile and alert ones to avoid being hit.

+1 to this

<Daily Mail Mode>Pedestrians should be made to pass a test, have markings which allow them to be identified easily and paid road tax. God knows we spend enough money on pavements and crossings (which HOLD ME UP regularly) and some of them don't even use them!</Daily Mail Mode>

PBo

Radioactiveman wrote:

Just read all this thread and what a load of cobblers.

I am guessing the people in defence of the ipod wearing blind idiots are in fact ipod wearing blind idiots?

I have had a couple of near misses and did all I could to avoid them. However if I am on a road I will ride whatever speed is safe for the road. On my 12 mile commute if I stuck to 10 miles per hour ,taking it safely just in case a person steps out it would take me nearly twice as long to get to work. And as for throwing myself into danger to avoid the peds I would have been dead several times over.

I would pay attention to the bolox ppl are spouting if they quoted the relevant section of highway code or laws that state idiots with ipods on can walk where they want and cyclists should go slow in the vicinity of people and make all attempts to avoid them including suicide by lorry. Bunch of liberal mincers.

I'm a liberal mincer, but was actually against this viewpoint too.....so I'm really confused now......

cjcp

Why do peds run in front of vehicles or bikes looking down rather than ahead? In fact, they don't run, do they? They sort of hoppity-skip. WTH is with that?

Gazzaputt

I've hit several.

When I rode into the City that was the worst. People walk across the roads there without looking at all. Knocked a woman flying last year in Moorgate. Just decided to walk straight out into the cycle lane. Hit her at about 25mph.

Think I must have hit about 3 or 4 in King William Walk.

Luckily I only ever came off once.

Butterd2

I hit a Ped once, had to chase after him first mind you

kurako

Gazzaputt wrote:

I've hit several.

When I rode into the City that was the worst. People walk across the roads there without looking at all. Knocked a woman flying last year in Moorgate. Just decided to walk straight out into the cycle lane. Hit her at about 25mph.

Think I must have hit about 3 or 4 in King William Walk.

Luckily I only ever came off once.

What? :shock:

Do you think there's anything you could do differently to avoid hitting your 5th (or is that 6th)?

Radioactiveman

Yeah use your jedi mind powers to prevent them walking out without looking

_Brun_

Kurako wrote:

Gazzaputt wrote:

I've hit several.

When I rode into the City that was the worst. People walk across the roads there without looking at all. Knocked a woman flying last year in Moorgate. Just decided to walk straight out into the cycle lane. Hit her at about 25mph.

Think I must have hit about 3 or 4 in King William Walk.

Luckily I only ever came off once.

What? :shock:

Do you think there's anything you could do differently to avoid hitting your 5th (or is that 6th)?

We can only hope the next one knocks some sense into him.

25mph in a cycle lane, presumably about 2 feet from the kerb and obviously no time to react to potential hazards? I'm amazed you have so little concern for your own safety, let alone anyone else's.

wgwarburton

Hi,
I don't think there's any question that all road users must do all they can to avoid collisions with pedestrians, whether they are on shared-use-paths, crossing roads or whatever. If a pedestrian literally steps out in front of one of us then we may have a defence, but it's only a defence, not a right of way.
You can argue that cyclists get the worst of both worlds, I'm not sure I would agree with you but it doesn't really matter, TBH. Life's not fair and you just have to deal with it.

If we're off road on a bikepath/shared-use etc then the onus is very much on us to pootle along slowly enough to avoid any conflict. If that turns a 20 minute journey into a 45 minute one, then we need to adapt to it. Unfortunately, allowing cyclists to use a path doesn't mean giving us a right to use it at speed.
It's a bit like driving on a quiet A-road- you could get to your destination faster if you drove at 120mph, but it wouldn't be appropriate to do so. Similarly it's inappropriate to ride at 30mph on a shared-use path.

One point I havn't seen made is that riding well out from the gutter improves our situation significantly- any ped that looks before leaping will be more likely to see us, as we'll be where they expect to see a hazard. We'll also be out of the way of people who step off the pavement to avoid something (they rarely go nore than one step out) and have more time to respond to anyone wandering out, as they'll have to travel further to reach our line-of-travel.

Cheers,
W.

W1

Hot Orange wrote:

I got hit by a pedestrian once.

I fell off, he got coffee on his briefcase.

I suppose that was my fault too?

Well, yeah. Drinking coffee while riding your bike is asking for trouble.

Whilst also reading the paper. Yes I know, madness.

dondare

W1 wrote:

I got hit by a pedestrian once.

I fell off, he got coffee on his briefcase.

I suppose that was my fault too?

Or can all those saying it's always the cyclists' fault stop their bikes instantly? Or do they all do 1mph in order to be able to do so?

A couple of times I've been knocked off my bike by pedestrians running out into the road but that was them hitting me.

anton1r

Common sense people, use it.

Cycling in a busy area? Look further ahead and cover the brakes. Attempt to expect the unexpected.

Hot Orange

What about squirrels?

One of them not only ran out right in front of me the other day, it then scurried around all over the road even after seeing me. I was able to stop in time, but I gave it a dirty look, I can tell you.

And as for ducks...

dondare

Radioactiveman wrote:

Just read all this thread and what a load of cobblers.

I am guessing the people in defence of the ipod wearing blind idiots are in fact ipod wearing blind idiots?

I have had a couple of near misses and did all I could to avoid them. However if I am on a road I will ride whatever speed is safe for the road. On my 12 mile commute if I stuck to 10 miles per hour ,taking it safely just in case a person steps out it would take me nearly twice as long to get to work. And as for throwing myself into danger to avoid the peds I would have been dead several times over.

I would pay attention to the bolox ppl are spouting if they quoted the relevant section of highway code or laws that state idiots with ipods on can walk where they want and cyclists should go slow in the vicinity of people and make all attempts to avoid them including suicide by lorry. Bunch of liberal mincers.

66
You should

keep both hands on the handlebars except when signalling or changing gear
keep both feet on the pedals
never ride more than two abreast, and ride in single file on narrow or busy roads and when riding round bends
not ride close behind another vehicle
not carry anything which will affect your balance or may get tangled up with your wheels or chain
be considerate of other road users, particularly blind and partially sighted pedestrians. Let them know you are there when necessary, for example, by ringing your bell if you have one. It is recommended that a bell be fitted
67
You should

look all around before moving away from the kerb, turning or manoeuvring, to make sure it is safe to do so. Give a clear signal to show other road users what you intend to do (see 'Signals to other road users')
look well ahead for obstructions in the road, such as drains, pot-holes and parked vehicles so that you do not have to swerve suddenly to avoid them. Leave plenty of room when passing parked vehicles and watch out for doors being opened or pedestrians stepping into your path
be aware of traffic coming up behind you
take extra care near road humps, narrowings and other traffic calming features
take care when overtaking (see Rules 162-169)
68
You MUST NOT

carry a passenger unless your cycle has been built or adapted to carry one
hold onto a moving vehicle or trailer
ride in a dangerous, careless or inconsiderate manner
ride when under the influence of drink or drugs, including medicine

_Brun_

That's him told.

jonginge

OTOH

1

Pavements (including any path along the side of a road) should be used if provided. Where possible, avoid being next to the kerb with your back to the traffic. If you have to step into the road, look both ways first. Always show due care and consideration for others.

7

The Green Cross Code. The advice given below on crossing the road is for all pedestrians. Children should be taught the Code and should not be allowed out alone until they can understand and use it properly. The age when they can do this is different for each child. Many children cannot judge how fast vehicles are going or how far away they are. Children learn by example, so parents and carers should always use the Code in full when out with their children. They are responsible for deciding at what age children can use it safely by themselves.

A. First find a safe place to cross and where there is space to reach the pavement on the other side. Where there is a crossing nearby, use it. It is safer to cross using a subway, a footbridge, an island, a zebra, pelican, toucan or puffin crossing, or where there is a crossing point controlled by a police officer, a school crossing patrol or a traffic warden. Otherwise choose a place where you can see clearly in all directions. Try to avoid crossing between parked cars (see Rule 14), on a blind bend, or close to the brow of a hill. Move to a space where drivers and riders can see you clearly. Do not cross the road diagonally.
Look all around and listen for traffic before crossing

B. Stop just before you get to the kerb, where you can see if anything is coming. Do not get too close to the traffic. If there’s no pavement, keep back from the edge of the road but make sure you can still see approaching traffic.

C. Look all around for traffic and listen. Traffic could come from any direction. Listen as well, because you can sometimes hear traffic before you see it.

D. If traffic is coming, let it pass. Look all around again and listen. Do not cross until there is a safe gap in the traffic and you are certain that there is plenty of time. Remember, even if traffic is a long way off, it may be approaching very quickly.

E. When it is safe, go straight across the road – do not run. Keep looking and listening for traffic while you cross, in case there is any traffic you did not see, or in case other traffic appears suddenly. Look out for cyclists and motorcyclists travelling between lanes of traffic. Do not walk diagonally across the road.

Radioactiveman

_Brun_ wrote:

That's him told.

I adhere to the highway code as much as possible.It still doesnt stop you having near misses. Relies on everyone adhering to their side of things.But it does reduce the chance that is for sure.

Cheers dondare it has added clarity to the discussion but as for the child like comments of Brun I am pretty sure most people have not said they are riding dangerously with their eyes shut while they have hit peds. Pretty sure it didnt mention throwing yourself under a truck in self sacrifice also.

_Brun_

That's me told!

Radioactiveman

probably doesnt help that a lot of us will have very different experiences of cycling in built up/ped heavy areas. My experience is a relatively quiet town where as people who cycle through london will need to be on guard a lot more I guess.

SimonAH

I never cease to be astounded at the lack of spatial awareness exhibited by peds. The same people may well be alert and careful drivers or cyclists, but start walking around and the brain shuts down (presumably because the perceived danger is zero?)

You just have to assume that they are going to have no awareness of your presence, no mental 'flow' as to what is going on with other pedestrians/bicycles/shopping trolleys and where they'll be in five seconds time - and ultimately are likely to stop / start / change direction or drop to tie a shoelace with no warning whatsoever.

Cycling in these circumstances requires assuming that they have the collective intelligence and predictabiliity of a mixed herd of sheep and goats.

Once you accept that, then it's easier to chill at the window licking mutant walmart shoppers like the one that shoved his trolley right in front of my wheel last night - about half a mile from the shop!

mybreakfastconsisted

Gazzaputt wrote:

I've hit several.

When I rode into the City that was the worst. People walk across the roads there without looking at all. Knocked a woman flying last year in Moorgate. Just decided to walk straight out into the cycle lane. Hit her at about 25mph.

Think I must have hit about 3 or 4 in King William Walk.

Luckily I only ever came off once.

Yes, outside Liverpool Street in the morning is shocking, peds mumching Danish pastries, listening to music, don't hear an engine and wander blindly all over the shop.


But.....

We are the Kings and Queens of the road, we must indulge our subjects and their quaint little ways for they know not what they do.

Aidy

I've been hit by a number of pedestrians. Most recently last night as one wandered blindly into the flow of traffic.

Yet to hit one.

Foobies

JonGinge wrote:

OTOH

1

Pavements (including any path along the side of a road) should be used if provided. Where possible, avoid being next to the kerb with your back to the traffic. If you have to step into the road, look both ways first. Always show due care and consideration for others.

7

The Green Cross Code. The advice given below on crossing the road is for all pedestrians. Children should be taught the Code and should not be allowed out alone until they can understand and use it properly. The age when they can do this is different for each child. Many children cannot judge how fast vehicles are going or how far away they are. Children learn by example, so parents and carers should always use the Code in full when out with their children. They are responsible for deciding at what age children can use it safely by themselves.

A. First find a safe place to cross and where there is space to reach the pavement on the other side. Where there is a crossing nearby, use it. It is safer to cross using a subway, a footbridge, an island, a zebra, pelican, toucan or puffin crossing, or where there is a crossing point controlled by a police officer, a school crossing patrol or a traffic warden. Otherwise choose a place where you can see clearly in all directions. Try to avoid crossing between parked cars (see Rule 14), on a blind bend, or close to the brow of a hill. Move to a space where drivers and riders can see you clearly. Do not cross the road diagonally.
Look all around and listen for traffic before crossing

B. Stop just before you get to the kerb, where you can see if anything is coming. Do not get too close to the traffic. If there’s no pavement, keep back from the edge of the road but make sure you can still see approaching traffic.

C. Look all around for traffic and listen. Traffic could come from any direction. Listen as well, because you can sometimes hear traffic before you see it.

D. If traffic is coming, let it pass. Look all around again and listen. Do not cross until there is a safe gap in the traffic and you are certain that there is plenty of time. Remember, even if traffic is a long way off, it may be approaching very quickly.

E. When it is safe, go straight across the road – do not run. Keep looking and listening for traffic while you cross, in case there is any traffic you did not see, or in case other traffic appears suddenly. Look out for cyclists and motorcyclists travelling between lanes of traffic. Do not walk diagonally across the road.

Was about to post something along those lines myself. If for whatever reason I'm walking and have to cross a road I stop and look both ways first if there's a car bike or bus etc coming I stay on the pavement. When I was at school we were taught the green cross code and so far I've never walked into the path of an oncoming wheeled mode of transport. It's give and take tbf if I'm on a shared path I'll ride accordingly. If I'm riding on a road then I'll ride faster to make myself less of an obstruction/danger to other road users. If a ped walks out infront of me when I'm on the road then in my view it's as bad as them doing it infront of a car or motorbike and IMO if they get hit it's their own stupid fault and give them a Darwin award! Luckily I keep my breaks in good nick so I can stop quickly if it goes tits up when out on a trail as I only have one bike which I commute on, do dirt jumps and general off roadyness. I have luckily not hit a ped yet but that's not to say my rear tyre hasn't lost alot of tread from skidding the back round to miss the idiots. Oh and I also stop at red lights unlike some and never ride on the pavement.

jeremyrundle

Note the following..

Traffic rules for pedestrians

In addition to the rules which normally apply to all public highway users, according to the Vienna Convention, pedestrians are subject to specific rules defined in their national legislation in order to ensure that they can travel safely and easily:

(a) Pedestrians pushing or carrying bulky objects may use the carriageway if they would severely inconvenience other pedestrians by walking on the pavement (sidewalk) or verge; (this is true, watch out drivers and cyclists)

(b) Shall not step on to it without exercising care; they shall use a pedestrian crossing whenever there is one nearby.

see it all at

http://ec.europa.eu/transport/road_safe ... trians.htm

jeremyrundle

also see

http://ec.europa.eu/transport/road_safe ... hicles.htm

Gazzaputt

Kurako wrote:

Gazzaputt wrote:

I've hit several.

When I rode into the City that was the worst. People walk across the roads there without looking at all. Knocked a woman flying last year in Moorgate. Just decided to walk straight out into the cycle lane. Hit her at about 25mph.

Think I must have hit about 3 or 4 in King William Walk.

Luckily I only ever came off once.

What? :shock:

Do you think there's anything you could do differently to avoid hitting your 5th (or is that 6th)?

Not really.

wgwarburton

Gazzaputt wrote:

Kurako wrote:

Gazzaputt wrote:

I've hit several.

When I rode into the City that was the worst. People walk across the roads there without looking at all. Knocked a woman flying last year in Moorgate. Just decided to walk straight out into the cycle lane. Hit her at about 25mph.

Think I must have hit about 3 or 4 in King William Walk.

Luckily I only ever came off once.

What? :shock:

Do you think there's anything you could do differently to avoid hitting your 5th (or is that 6th)?

Not really.

Might I suggest not riding in a cycle lane at 25mph? I wouldn't be surprised that a pedestrian might assume that a cyclist in a lane was travelling slowly.

If you rode in the road, you'd be part of the traffic and be far enough away from the kerb that you'd see 'em coming.

Cheers,
W.

SimonAH

Hot Orange wrote:

What about squirrels?

One of them not only ran out right in front of me the other day, it then scurried around all over the road even after seeing me. I was able to stop in time, but I gave it a dirty look, I can tell you.

And as for ducks...

EXACTLY the same thing happened to me on my run in on Monday morning 'cept I couldn't stop in time and heard it fring off my rear spokes. Looked back and no sign so I guess it was OK.

Once hit a peahen on a motorcycle that got picked up by the back wheel and shredded. Took me ages to get the bits off the bike.

Never tangled with a duck though. I know how to turn one into a soul singer however. You put it in the microwave until it's Bill Withers.
IGMC