Riding to work

Peewiglet said:

This evening, though, a young woman walked across the road in front of
me and I think she'd have walked right into my bike if I'd not shouted
to her to watch out. (I was too fast and close to stop, and couldn't
swerve to avoid as there were cars in the way.) Is this common?

Riding a bike with no regard as to whether you can stop safely in an
emergency? Fairly common, I suppose.

Peewiglet said:

I've started riding to work and back a couple of times a week. It's
about 15 miles each way, and it's not too bad.

Excellent!

Quoted message said:

This evening, though, a young woman walked across the road in front
of me and I think she'd have walked right into my bike if I'd not
shouted to her to watch out. (I was too fast and close to stop, and
couldn't swerve to avoid as there were cars in the way.) Is this
common?

It's certainly happened to me.

Chris
--
Chris Eilbeck

Simonb said:

Peewiglet said:

This evening, though, a young woman walked across the road in front of
me and I think she'd have walked right into my bike if I'd not shouted
to her to watch out. (I was too fast and close to stop, and couldn't
swerve to avoid as there were cars in the way.) Is this common?

Riding a bike with no regard as to whether you can stop safely in an
emergency? Fairly common, I suppose.

It's impossible to move by any means if you are going to expect to stop if
someone suddenly jumps in front of you.

According to your rather puerile logic, no one should ever set a car in motion.

Simonb said:

Peewiglet said:

This evening, though, a young woman walked across the road in front of
me and I think she'd have walked right into my bike if I'd not shouted
to her to watch out. (I was too fast and close to stop, and couldn't
swerve to avoid as there were cars in the way.) Is this common?

Riding a bike with no regard as to whether you can stop safely in an
emergency? Fairly common, I suppose.

Um.... are you a troll, or have you/I misunderstood? (I was
established on the road, surrounded by fast traffic. The woman just
set off without regard to my presence. See what I mean?)

Best wishes,
--
,,
(**)PeeWiglet~~
/ \ / \ pee AT [guessthisbit].co.uk

On 06/28/2005 20:20:35 Peewiglet said:

I've started riding to work and back a couple of times a week. It's about
15 miles each way, and it's not too bad.

Quoted message said:

This evening, though, a young woman walked across the road in front of me
and I think she'd have walked right into my bike if I'd not shouted to her
to watch out. (I was too fast and close to stop, and couldn't swerve to
avoid as there were cars in the way.) Is this common?

Quoted message said:

Best wishes,

Fraid so, peds are primarily suicide wrapped in flesh.

--

Buck

I would rather be out on my Catrike

http://www.catrike.co.uk

Steven said:

According to your rather puerile logic, no one should ever set a car
in motion.

Mmmmmmmmm... We can only dream.

Buck said:

On 06/28/2005 20:20:35 Peewiglet said:

I've started riding to work and back a couple of times a week. It's about
15 miles each way, and it's not too bad.

Quoted message said:

This evening, though, a young woman walked across the road in front of me
and I think she'd have walked right into my bike if I'd not shouted to her
to watch out. (I was too fast and close to stop, and couldn't swerve to
avoid as there were cars in the way.) Is this common?

Quoted message said:

Best wishes,

Fraid so, peds are primarily suicide wrapped in flesh.

as opposed to the other sort wrapped in a metal box

Chris Eilbeck said:

Peewiglet said:

I've started riding to work and back a couple of times a week. It's
about 15 miles each way, and it's not too bad.

Excellent!

Quoted message said:

This evening, though, a young woman walked across the road in front
of me and I think she'd have walked right into my bike if I'd not
shouted to her to watch out. (I was too fast and close to stop, and
couldn't swerve to avoid as there were cars in the way.) Is this
common?

It's certainly happened to me.

I find that shouting a suitable merry quip will smooth over such
embarrassing situations for both parties.

On Tue, 28 Jun 2005 20:20:35 +0100, Peewiglet wrote
(in article <[email hidden]>😉:

Quoted message said:

This evening, though, a young woman walked across the road in front of
me and I think she'd have walked right into my bike if I'd not shouted
to her to watch out. (I was too fast and close to stop, and couldn't
swerve to avoid as there were cars in the way.) Is this common?

Yes. Peds seem to rely on hearing traffic before they look.
Mudguard rattles and so on help. Alternatively, I know someone who
trained a bit at night around Regent's Park who hung little bells on his
handlebars. But there'll always be people pottering along happily in their
own little world until it suddenly ends.

M.

Simonb said:

Peewiglet said:

This evening, though, a young woman walked across the road in front of
me and I think she'd have walked right into my bike if I'd not shouted
to her to watch out. (I was too fast and close to stop, and couldn't
swerve to avoid as there were cars in the way.) Is this common?

Riding a bike with no regard as to whether you can stop safely in an
emergency? Fairly common, I suppose.

Hmmmm The same dumb [censored] walk and drive (and in some cases ride.

So yeah its common
In the past I have screamed out and stopped and then had the moron walk
straight into me.

However look at it the other way. THese are the people who Back into
traffic at the lights (seen last sunday) or dont notice a very large
truck until after it hits them (a couple of weeks ago) or have a head on
with a fire engine or try and beat a train.

Somehow if you are not skilled enough, or a little unlucky or they
manage such amazing unpredictability that they do catch you out.. rest
assured that the accident will be your fault. It is part of their
contract with God that they can do no wrong, hence they do not need do
look and hence no matter what happens all responsibility is yours.

Quoted message said:

Chris Eilbeck said:

Peewiglet said:

I've started riding to work and back a couple of times a week. It's
about 15 miles each way, and it's not too bad.

Excellent!

Quoted message said:

This evening, though, a young woman walked across the road in front
of me and I think she'd have walked right into my bike if I'd not
shouted to her to watch out. (I was too fast and close to stop, and
couldn't swerve to avoid as there were cars in the way.) Is this
common?

It's certainly happened to me.

I find that shouting a suitable merry quip will smooth over such
embarrassing situations for both parties.

¨Hey stupid is my favourite

Matthew Nettle said:

On Tue, 28 Jun 2005 20:20:35 +0100, Peewiglet wrote
(in article <[email hidden]>😉:

Quoted message said:

This evening, though, a young woman walked across the road in front of
me and I think she'd have walked right into my bike if I'd not shouted
to her to watch out. (I was too fast and close to stop, and couldn't
swerve to avoid as there were cars in the way.) Is this common?

Yes. Peds seem to rely on hearing traffic before they look.
Mudguard rattles and so on help. Alternatively, I know someone who
trained a bit at night around Regent's Park who hung little bells on his
handlebars. But there'll always be people pottering along happily in their
own little world until it suddenly ends.

M.

A lovely description. I must use that. 🙂

in message <[email hidden]>, Peewiglet

(') said:

I've started riding to work and back a couple of times a week. It's
about 15 miles each way, and it's not too bad.

This evening, though, a young woman walked across the road in front of
me and I think she'd have walked right into my bike if I'd not shouted
to her to watch out. (I was too fast and close to stop, and couldn't
swerve to avoid as there were cars in the way.) Is this common?

Unfortunately pedestrians (like car drivers) are often oblivious to
cyclists and will quite often step off the pavement right in front of
you making it hard to take avoiding action. This is yet another reason
that it is safer to ride a good way out from the kerb - but be very
careful around places where pedestrians are likely to step out.

It's another symptom of 'sorry mate I didn't see you', although in this
case it's more likely to result in injuries to both parties.

--
[email hidden] (Simon Brooke) http://www.jasmine.org.uk/~simon/

-- mens vacua in medio vacuo --

in message <[email hidden]>, Peewiglet

(') said:

I've started riding to work and back a couple of times a week. It's
about 15 miles each way, and it's not too bad.

This evening, though, a young woman walked across the road in front of
me and I think she'd have walked right into my bike if I'd not shouted
to her to watch out. (I was too fast and close to stop, and couldn't
swerve to avoid as there were cars in the way.) Is this common?

Sorry - following up a second time - an effective solution to this
problem is the 'air zound' horn which is light, easy to use, and ear
splittingly loud. If you use one there is no possibility of the
pedestrian remaining unaware of your presence.

--
[email hidden] (Simon Brooke) http://www.jasmine.org.uk/~simon/

;; Men never do evil so completely and cheerfully as when they
;; do it from  religious conviction."          -- Pascal

"Peewiglet" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I've started riding to work and back a couple of times a week. It's
about 15 miles each way, and it's not too bad.

This evening, though, a young woman walked across the road in front of
me and I think she'd have walked right into my bike if I'd not shouted
to her to watch out. (I was too fast and close to stop, and couldn't
swerve to avoid as there were cars in the way.) Is this common?

Simonb's response was complete rubbish.

Yes, it happens.

Get into covering your brakes when you're not sure. Other cyclists and,
well, anything - can be as a big a problem as anything.

For me, a bell at distance is my first warning. Then a treble ring. Then
ring desperately whilst tring to change down gear, shouting and braking
heavily.

Yes. They are on their own mission. My reactions are still fantastic. Phew!

Simon Brooke said:

in message <[email hidden]>, Peewiglet

(') said:

I've started riding to work and back a couple of times a week. It's
about 15 miles each way, and it's not too bad.

This evening, though, a young woman walked across the road in front of
me and I think she'd have walked right into my bike if I'd not shouted
to her to watch out. (I was too fast and close to stop, and couldn't
swerve to avoid as there were cars in the way.) Is this common?

Sorry - following up a second time - an effective solution to this
problem is the 'air zound' horn which is light, easy to use, and ear
splittingly loud. If you use one there is no possibility of the
pedestrian remaining unaware of your presence.

But doesn't it render them incapable of rational thought and movement?
I mean fire engines and ambulances can have that effect on me sometimes.

Quoted message said:

Simon Brooke said:

in message <[email hidden]>, Peewiglet

(') said:

I've started riding to work and back a couple of times a week. It's
about 15 miles each way, and it's not too bad.

This evening, though, a young woman walked across the road in front of
me and I think she'd have walked right into my bike if I'd not shouted
to her to watch out. (I was too fast and close to stop, and couldn't
swerve to avoid as there were cars in the way.) Is this common?

Sorry - following up a second time - an effective solution to this
problem is the 'air zound' horn which is light, easy to use, and ear
splittingly loud. If you use one there is no possibility of the
pedestrian remaining unaware of your presence.

But doesn't it render them incapable of rational thought and movement?
I mean fire engines and ambulances can have that effect on me sometimes.

If they freeze solid avoiding action may be possible.
But if they are determined to continue moving on a ramming course then
eventually you will colide.

Many of us consider ramming to be only rational when its say a british
destroyer trying to sink a Uboat not when its a pedestrian bent on suicide

Peewiglet said:

I've started riding to work and back a couple of times a week. It's
about 15 miles each way, and it's not too bad.

This evening, though, a young woman walked across the road in front of
me and I think she'd have walked right into my bike if I'd not shouted
to her to watch out. (I was too fast and close to stop, and couldn't
swerve to avoid as there were cars in the way.) Is this common?

Happened to me a long time ago and I woke up in hospital with the nurse
cutting my kecks off.

After that I decided yes, it was his fault, but there a lots of other people
just as stupid and i should of known that so it might as well be my fault.

The best thing to do when riding near pedestrians is to assume the primary
position. This gives you more time to react to them and with a little bit a
luck some random cager will be right behind you so the peds will notice them
even if they don't notice you.

--
Andy Morris

AndyAtJinkasDotFreeserve.Co.UK

Love this:
Put an end to Outlook Express's messy quotes
http://home.in.tum.de/~jain/software/oe-quotefix/

Simon Brooke said:

Sorry - following up a second time - an effective solution to this
problem is the 'air zound' horn which is light, easy to use, and ear
splittingly loud. If you use one there is no possibility of the
pedestrian remaining unaware of your presence.

I'll look out for one of those, then. Thanks 🙂

What I didn't make clear in my original post, incidentally, was that
this young woman came from my right, and not from the left. She didn't
just step off the kerb without noticing me - she actually crossed the
whole road looking in my direction and just kept walking. Bizarre! 🙂

Best wishes,
--
,,
(**)PeeWiglet~~
/ \ / \ pee AT [guessthisbit].co.uk