1st 'commute' - is it always that mental?

lifeform

I never commute on the bike - don't need to, mainly work from home. I only ever ride in the evenings and weekends. However, today the car needed it's oily bits seeing to, so at 8am I slung the roadie and my shoes in the boot and took it the two and half miles into town to the garage, intending on a leisurely dawdle back home for brekkers.

So, 2.5 miles back through Hove (a bike-aware place generally) in morning rush hour...

How hard can it be?

Well... I'd run out of swear words after the first half mile, had four pedestrians hurl themselves into my path - including one who froze solid, and as I was on the hoods nearly took me and the bike to her leg.

The most incredible event though - bus 40yds behind me, car 40 yds in front. Car goes through a pedestrian crossing, and the 30-odd people at the crossing all decided that there was enough space between the car and the bus to cross the road... Cyclist? What cyclist?

The cars were pretty well behaved, but bloody hell the foot-fodder are suicidal.

An eye opener, and a new found respect for those who brave that sort of lunacy every day.

I've been debating getting a Brompton for when I'm in our City office - it's just far enough from London Bridge for it to be a nuisance walk - but after this morning I think I might stick to walking.

lost_in_thought

Hey guys! The first time I did a new thing it was harder than I expected! Like..... OMG!

Seriously though, you get used to it, and develop the ability to better predict pedestrians and their lunacy, thereby avoiding a lot of hassle. London peds are certainly a bit more aware than their country cousins, or at least it seems so to me. However, be prepared for lots of hassle at ped crossings!

Kieran_Burns

I find screaming

"RAMMING SPEED"

works wonders.

Long_Time_Lurker

That's why I'm glad that my company do 'flexible working hours'.
I go in early and come home early to avoid the peak traffic times.

RoadyForever

Most people seem unable to comprehend a cyclist travelling over 10mph, so best assume that they haven't seen you. I sometimes say "boo" loudly when I go past, and do shout at woman who push their prams into the road without looking (that isn't funny).

I just pretend the world has been taken over by zombies (pretty close) and I need to get to my station to be evaluated.

++working from home.

asprilla

lifeform wrote:

The most incredible event though - bus 40yds behind me, car 40 yds in front. Car goes through a pedestrian crossing, and the 30-odd people at the crossing all decided that there was enough space between the car and the bus to cross the road... Cyclist? What cyclist?

The cars were pretty well behaved, but bloody hell the foot-fodder are suicidal.

That pretty much sums up most commutes in London for me; drivers are generally predictable (with the exception of the tart in the Merc ML on Putney Bridge this morning who swerved into the cycle track for no reason, times like that I wish my keys were more accessible or that I carried a d-lock) but pedestrians are just wrong in the head.

EKE_38BPM

lost_in_thought wrote:

...you get used to it, and develop the ability to better predict pedestrians and their lunacy, thereby avoiding a lot of hassle...

+1
With practice you develop your spidey senses and 'feel' danger before it happens (sometimes). Keep at it.

nation

Assume you're invisible to pedestrians. Most people don't actually look before crossing unless they hear an engine.

Even then, I had someone this morning stop at the kerb, look directly at me and make eye contact, then step off the kerb directly into my path as I bore down on them at 25mph. Cue swerving, hauling on the anchors and copious swearing. I must have missed her by centimetres.

davmaggs

You'll probably start to notice that the same incidents crop up at the same points again so as you get more aware of the route then you'll adapt.

Actually, as I type I would also say that some roads just aren't worth the hassle so do think about taking a detour. Routes are habit forming and you can end up putting with the same aggro repeatedly when you don't have to.

I've also been experimenting recently with not looking directly at pedestrians. It seems that they then think you haven't seen them so don't assume that you'll stop. It's not scientific advice of course.

joelsim

The bit through Putney and Fulham to me is far more fun than Richmond Park.

Roarster

nation wrote:

Assume you're invisible to pedestrians. Most people don't actually look before crossing unless they hear an engine.

This

Happens everyday people step out staring down at phones, mp3's etc because they dont hear an engine. Prehaps ill attach a speaker to the bike and put the sound of an engine on my ipod

Then you get the people who clearly see you and believe that you will fly off into the sky with ET in your backpack and avoid them :roll:

lifeform

The crossing incident was an interesting demonstration of the herd mentality of humans.

Lights were green for traffic, gap in traffic, the first guy who stepped off was clearly looking at me, as was the second, and neither presented any real threat, nor did I need to avoid them... but those two stepped off and a second later the rest of the pack just went without so much as a glance.

Ride hard

RoadyForever wrote:

I just pretend the world has been taken over by zombies (pretty close) and I need to get to my station to be evaluated.

You hit the nail on the head!

When you're on the road assume that nothing is impossible, because even when you do someone/thing will surprise you. I wouldn't let it put you off though because close calls are all part and parcel of commuting - unfortunately :?

Pru

28 Days Later :O

Jay dubbleU

You know that film of the wildebeest crossing the river? Perfect analogy - peds are herd animals with no survival instinct - treat them as such 8)

Also be aware that they get worse when weather is wet or windy

Blacktemplar

Problem?



Solution !



Simples

Ride hard

Blacktemplar wrote:

Problem?



Solution !



Simples

Thanks for the heads up. I just placed a pre order for one on wiggle

Nik Cube

Were you wearing urban camouflage (often sold has hi viz jackets) I always find that when I wear it I become as invisible as a stealth bomber

t4tomo

Blacktemplar wrote:

Problem?



Solution !



Simples

Errr they are crossing on the green man signal, that's not a problem.

Blacktemplar

t4tomo wrote:

Errr they are crossing on the green man signal, that's not a problem.

Not if you're a serial RLJ'er it isn't

Besides, my Google-Fu was weak last night -I couldn't find a picture using the search term "stupid peds"

However, Jedi powers refreshed after a calming commute this morning;

rick_chasey

Blacktemplar wrote:

t4tomo wrote:

Errr they are crossing on the green man signal, that's not a problem.

Not if you're a serial RLJ'er it isn't

Besides, my Google-Fu is weak -I couldn't find a picture using the search term "stupid peds"

You're welcome.

bromyG

lifeform wrote:

. . . Well... I'd run out of swear words after the first half mile, had four pedestrians hurl themselves into my path - including one who froze solid, and as I was on the hoods nearly took me and the bike to her leg.

The most incredible event though - bus 40yds behind me, car 40 yds in front. Car goes through a pedestrian crossing, and the 30-odd people at the crossing all decided that there was enough space between the car and the bus to cross the road... Cyclist? What cyclist?

The cars were pretty well behaved, but bloody hell the foot-fodder are suicidal. . . .

Lifeform - get a good bell and use it - frequently!
Foot-fodder tend to stop when confronted wth manic bell ringing - though not always!