Nearly got 'taken out' by a cyclist today

[deejayen]

I was on foot and was just about to climb a steep double flight of steps which go over a railway line when a cyclist bombed down the steps Danny MackAskill style and missed me by inches. I think he was on some sort of enduro or downhill bike, and he seemed fairly beefy, so if he'd hit me I'd have been minced, especially at the speed he was going.

I had a similar thing a few months ago on the same set of steps, and that time the rider (possibly the same, but I'm not sure) managed to lose some speed when he saw me. However, this time was really close! Obviously, the steps are clear when he gets to the top and starts to speed down them, but he can't see pedestrians walking along the pavement to the side and then turning onto the steps.

At the time I thought it might be worth mentioning to the police, so decided to swing past the main police station which is just on the other side of the dual carriageway which goes over the railway line. However, they were closed! I didn't really expect they could\would do anything, so it's probably not worth bothering about.

I'm in Scotland, if that makes any difference.

In the last few years I've had one or two close scrapes with cyclists riding on pavements - one rode into my side\shoulder, but he wasn't going fast. I've also seen a wee boy knocked down while standing on the pavement with his dad when a cyclist weaved around a corner into him.

[cycle tramp]

Yeah, it's always a shock when that happens..

In other news today 8 people died on the UK's roads today. Statistically speaking 3 of those will be children.. so that's always something to look forward to at Christmas*
..by the way another 8 people will die tomorrow and the day after that and the day after that and the day after that...

(*there's not an emoji for sarcasm)

[drossall]

It's hard to know what to say. I'm glad you weren't hurt, and I'm certain that the rider responsible won't be on this forum - this place attracts enthusiasts and the curious-who-may-become enthusiasts, as opposed to thrill-seekers and the casual.

Given that "cyclists" defines not a group of people but the current transport choices of people who may make other choices on other days, I have to say that I'm generally glad that the irresponsible only chose bikes today. Whilst they can certainly cause harm with that choice, the really scary thing is that they may choose cars or motorbikes tomorrow.

[pjclinch]

Yeah, it's always a shock when that happens..

In other news today 8 people died on the UK's roads today. Statistically speaking 3 of those will be children.. so that's always something to look forward to at Christmas*
..by the way another 8 people will die tomorrow and the day after that and the day after that and the day after that...

(*there's not an emoji for sarcasm)

It's typically between 4 and 5 rather than 8 in recent years, though your point still stands.

Pete.

[Nearholmer]

Always bloody scary being involved in a near-miss/hit as a pedestrian, whatever the vehicle involved, but this bears repetition, and the proportions haven’t changed significantly since:

[MARK99]

Well if these type of cyclists say have an accident doing these kind of things in front of me so to speak, I am sure I will be to busy to help.

[deejayen]

I've been a member of Cycle UK and CTC for years, but I'll confess that I usually just glance over their political and campaigning activities.

I'm curious - do they have a policy or statement about cyclists riding on pavements or footpaths etc.?

I suspect their position will be to echo the Highway Code, but do they have any sort of public awareness campaign or education programme, or do they advise local councils about signage or physical 'anti-cycling' barriers?

Has their legal team ever represented a cyclist involved in such an accident, and if so, what was their stance?

A picture (from Google Streetview) of the steps:-

Steps.JPG (21.82 KiB) Viewed 545 times

[Jdsk]

I've been a member of Cycle UK and CTC for years, but I'll confess that I usually just glance over their political and campaigning activities.

I'm curious - do they have a policy or statement about cyclists riding on pavements or footpaths etc.?

"Cycling and pedestrians":
https://www.cyclinguk.org/briefing/cycl ... edestrians

"Goodwill reiterates footway cycling guidance":
https://www.cyclinguk.org/news/goodwill ... g-guidance

Jonathan

[Nearholmer]

Having now seen the steps, i’m more than ever convinced that what the OP encountered was a maniac with no respect for their own safety or anyone else’s!

[deejayen]

"Cycling and pedestrians":
https://www.cyclinguk.org/briefing/cycl ... edestrians

"Goodwill reiterates footway cycling guidance":
https://www.cyclinguk.org/news/goodwill ... g-guidance

Jonathan

Thanks, Jonathan.

[deejayen]

Having now seen the steps, i’m more than ever convinced that what the OP encountered was a maniac with no respect for their own safety or anyone else’s!

Yes, he's obviously a good rider, as he came down it in full-on Downhill World Championship style; low over the bike, and elbows wide! I've no idea of his speed, but he probably weighed 250lbs with bike, and last time I saw him I think he came over the top at a good few mph, so by the time he reaches the bottom (in what seems like a split second) he's likely to have picked up some serious momentum (no braking).

I always look up the steps to the top when I reach them from the side, but the view is hidden by the high walls until you're directly at the bottom. I just saw him flying down above my head and reaching the same spot I was aiming for. I managed to stop and he yelled as he careered past. I think he must have been extremely close to the side wall\railings, so perhaps he got a fright this time, but whether or not it'll stop him from trying it again - who knows?

The steps aren't the busiest these days, but you quite often meet other pedestrians using them, including the elderly and tourists with suitcases.

[pjclinch]

I suspect their position will be to echo the Highway Code, but do they have any sort of public awareness campaign or education programme

In terms of an education programme, I think they've been a significant partner in developing Bikeability and the National Standards for Cycle Training which, being the DfT's official programme, is very much in line with the Highway Code and supporting traffic law.

Pete.

[pjclinch]

Yes, he's obviously a good rider...

I would go for "technically capable" rather than "good" there...

Pete.

[deeferdonk]

Yes, he's obviously a good rider...

I would go for "technically capable" rather than "good" there...

Pete.

That should be pretty straightforward for anyone on a full suspension MTB (and who was a little braver than myself). I'd be really impressed if he did it on a brompton.

I'm surprised you didn't hear him coming though - would have thought he'd be quite noisy coming down them. (although i'm hard of hearing myself so not judging)

[deejayen]

I'm surprised you didn't hear him coming though - would have thought he'd be quite noisy coming down them. (although i'm hard of hearing myself so not judging)

I think he's going so fast that his bike is only just skimming the steps, so there's not a lot of chain slap or general clattering etc. Plus, there's a lot of traffic noise from the dual carriageway above, and it was raining last night. Also, the walls at the sides block noise from the steps.