"Jack Taylor" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
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Quoted message said:congokid said:
From my experience as a cyclist in London I know that very few
cyclists stop for pedestrian crossings or red lights (apart from when
the passing traffic is too heavy to weave through, or they've spotted
a policeman). Often they barrel through at high speed and any
collision with me would have serious consequences. For this reason I
try to make sure there is absolutely nothing coming when as a
pedestrian I need to cross the road.
As a fellow cyclist, who is disgusted by the arrogant behaviour of this
minority who are bringing us all into disrepute and risking regulatory
consequences for us all, when I'm in a similar position I generally
anticipate the worst and time my crossing carefully. Once the approaching
cyclist has committed to their path I change my step and try and make sure
that I barrel into the side of them as they pass - keeping clear of
handlebars and pedals - and knocking them flying instead. It's very
satisfying, especially knowing that legally they haven't got a leg to
stand
on (so to speak). On a couple of occasions they've ended up sprawled on
the
road with everyone laughing at them, their dignity destroyed. With a bit
of
luck they'll think twice next time before trying to intimidate
pedestrians.
I always pay heed to the road signals, don't cycle on footpaths or against
the flow of one way traffic (I get off and walk) and so forth - they can
bloody well do the same. Being 6' 5" and 15 stone none of my "victims"
have
had the temerity to challenge me yet and having jumped red lights and
accidentally collided with a legally crossing pedestrian they would be
hard
pressed to do very much. It's all in the observation and the timing. ;-)
I like your style! :-P
From what I've seen, it's not a minority of cyclists who do this, but a
majority. At least where I see them, that is, which is from Islington to
the centre. Occasionally you do see a sensible cyclist waiting out a red
light, but it really doesn't happen that often. Usually they'll bump up
onto the pavement, ride to the pedestrian crossing, cross, then bump back
down.
I've also noticed an increase in cyclists riding past busses with people
getting on/off, between the bus and the curb. Having a bemused cyclist
staring at you with a look of complete confusion mixed with rage, simply
because you got off a bus at a bus stop, is quite entertaining.
🙂
dave
