Cycling UK Forum

Do you all remember the recentepisode of the cyclist prosecuted for killing a pedestrian that he hit? Yes!

Well the other day when the level crossing gates came up and I at the front of the queue shot ahead and then joined another busy road, what do I see ahead but a youngish (about 18 to 21yrs) couple on the footpath on my side and walking in the same direction as me. Well as I approached, the man glanced over his shoulder as he was stepping off and boldly strode across the road, good thing I was still some distance back. This was shortly (about a second or two later) followed by the woman setting off to do exactly the same, except by this time I was considerably closer and she was probably well within my stopping distance. One step off the footpath whilst still continuing to walk along in the same direction, then a cursory glance over shoulder and a sudden step back as I having added about a foot to my distance from the kerb go past at about 15 mph, narrowly missing her. It is a single lane in that direction and, being at the front of a queue, I could assume that there were bound to be cars close behind. I did not stop to point out her/their dangerous error and nearly kicked myself for missing the opportunity. But it does make me wonder what I could have said and what the consequences would have been if it had all gone horribly wrong? "Car hits cyclist trying to avoid pedestrian"

Go safely everyone, assume everybody else is deaf, blind or just stupid.

Alan

I think that the difference between you and the guy that killed the girl would have been that you didn't shout at them that they should move because you weren't stopping and that you tried to take avoiding action!

Of course, if you'd have been hit by a car while doing so then it could have been down to you (insurance wise) when the reckoning came if it was anything like my recent event where the unharmed third party that caused the crash just wandered off leaving both 'injured' parties to sort things out.

I don't understand pedestrians very well. I know I am one sometimes, but I'm "different"!

It happens loads of times that they step off the kerb. I know they've seen me. We make eye contact. I think they see a cyclist, and think they are a slow-moving vehicle, not realising that they travel nearly as fast as the passing cars!

Mick F wrote:I don't understand pedestrians very well. I know I am one sometimes, but I'm "different"!

It happens loads of times that they step off the kerb. I know they've seen me. We make eye contact. I think they see a cyclist, and think they are a slow-moving vehicle, not realising that they travel nearly as fast as the passing cars!

I had exactly the kind of incident you describe this morning. Even worse the woman was only about 10 metres from a zebra crossing!

I once hit a drunk. It was broad daylight, Im descending at 25-30mph and sees this bloke at the kerbside checking the traffic. As I approach he steps out. too late to brake or shout, so I try to swerve round him and tense my left side ready to shoulder barge him which I did. I shout some expletives, he sorta shouts "what was that" etc, completely confused spinning on his feet like a kids toy. I carry on, my mate whos a bit behind thinks I should stop to check him out, but as he's on his feet and semi coherent I leave him to it.

Same place, different day. the mate referred to above hits an old lady who does exactly the same as the drunk. Except he falls off (frame wrecked) and she keels over and hits her head. A doctor gets on the scene quickly and theres blood everywhere which shocks everyone. Mate gets home and lets the BCF know in case theres some claim on him or the 3rd paty insurance. Next day he finds out old lady was ok after an hour in hospital and some plasters. A few weeks pass and he receives a cheque from the BCF for the accident. He never made a claim, and confusingly he banked it.

Alan D wrote:Do you all remember the recentepisode of the cyclist prosecuted for killing a pedestrian that he hit? Yes!

Well as I approached, the man glanced over his shoulder as he was stepping off and boldly strode across the road, good thing I was still some distance back. This was shortly (about a second or two later) followed by the woman setting off to do exactly the same, except by this time I was considerably closer and she was probably well within my stopping distance. One step off the footpath whilst still continuing to walk along in the same direction, then a cursory glance over shoulder and a sudden step back as I having added about a foot to my distance from the kerb go past at about 15 mph, narrowly missing her.

I get this kind of thing a lot (I live in Oxford where there are lots of tourists, wandering around ooh-ing and aah-ing at the colleges and not paying attention to the traffic before they step off the pavement!). I've come to the conclusion that a lot of people think the road is clear unless they can hear a car coming, so the look over their shoulder is a kind of quick confirmation as they step into the road - usually followed by a panicked jump back if they see a bike heading towards them at speed! I have done this myself as a pedestrian (although I'm much better at looking properly and being aware of cyclists now that I cycle regularly) so I tend to cut people some slack. Of course, I haven't hit anyone yet - if I came off due to a dozy pedestrian, I might not be quite so forgiving...

http://forum.ctc.org.uk/viewtopic.php?t=12622&start=30

Had this a while back. Thankfully my bike and myself, save a couple of scuffs on both where fine. I'm amazed the dog wasn't more hurt, I thought my bulk would have smashed it's ribs! As I was already on the front wheel I guess I may have scrubbed off enough speed, but it still sent me over the bars.

I have hit pedestrians twice and been knoked off by cars twice. On both occasions I came off worse in the collision with the pedestrian and with more damage to the bike.

The pedestrians simply stepped out in front without looking after that all i can remember is hurting a lot thinking how lucky i was that no cars were following. Bike damage resulted in new hanlebars and rear mech and sprapes to the paint.

When hit by a car although on both occasions travelling slow I hit the road but after hitting the bonnet the ground didnt seem so hard. resultant damage a flat tyre. This was all a long time ago I think I would hurt a lot more now.