Cycling UK Forum

Today, in a busy Hampshire shopping street I am riding along and see an elderly man fall over. He was with his wife at the time so I pulled over, got off the bike and tried to give some assistance by offering to call an ambulance. A few people walk past as I'm getting the phone out of the bag and a man stops and begins shouting at me. I'm being accused of riding on the pavement and running the gentleman over. Of course, the gentleman begins to get a little distressed and a couple more people stop.

Before I know it there is a mob of about five or six accusing me of this. Men and women. I try to explain, all the while this is delaying me from using the phone to call for help, and in the end the wife of the gentleman suggests I should leave for my own safety (one of the men in the group began prodding me in the chest).

I rode away.

I dont feel good about this. I feel like things have changed for us. Sorry for this being my first post, but I dont feel I can continue riding (I've used it for years to get to work and occasionally the shops). Drivers have been slowly getting closer and more dangerous, I know there are those that stubbornly suggest not giving up, but I just feel I can't put myself (or my family) through this. Even when its not the traffic its the attitudes of people who seem to assume you;re up to no good.