Other Road Users Coming Too Close

Teapot55

I cycle less frequently nowadays because of the appalling driving I observe when I am in my car.

I walk to work and whilst I understand completely why others would want to cycle on the pavement, I am slightly deaf.

Somebody on a bike 'sneaking' up behind me, then passing me with 2" to spare really is going to come a cropper one day when I punch them.

(Quoted from Page 2 of "if a motorist knocks you off can you claim?" where my reply was off topic).

Edit to my original post: I don't hate cyclists, I hate other road users coming too close to me, which is the whole reason I don't cycle much myself.

Teapot55

. . . like Strider 590 has! . . . he did make me laugh and this is a pic of me when he uses it :eek:

Strider590

I guess i'm the opposite, I started cycling because I was sick of the stress and hassle that goes with a simple 16 mile commute by car. I used to enjoy driving (10yrs ago), now I can't wait to get out of the car.

People make up their own highway code, then drive about trying to force it down other peoples necks, for me this proves far too stressful. It's called the "rat race" for a reason.

[Deleted User]

Hi,

well if I'm on bike and folk in front of me don't seem to hear, I just go 'beep beep', you don't need to speed past them.

Prothet_of_Doom

Given that you have no mirrors, and they have no bell, and you are a little deaf, the only safe way of walking on the pavement is in a straight line. Do not deviate.
As a cyclist I could (If I were stupid) ride very close and not hit you, provided you don't move off line. This is why children and dogs scare me on a shared path (Lots of shared space in this city)
I can not think of a solution, apart from buying a biddy blaster and beating them at their own game. Or borrow a frisky dog.

Prothet_of_Doom

[Deleted User] wrote:

Hi,

well if I'm on bike and folk in front of me don't seem to hear, I just go 'beep beep', you don't need to speed past them.

I shout in a less than manly fashion "Dingalingling" :rotfl:

Get a few strange looks.

Cycrow

i dont tend to use a bell or anything if on a shared footpath as it just makes things worst. 9 times out of 10 when using a bell, the pedestrian will jump infront of the bike.

luckily i rarely use shared footpaths so its not much of a problem for me

Strider590

Closest I get to pedestrians is on canal toe paths and when they venture onto MTB trails.

Well,..... On the canals I just lock the rear wheel as I approach, they hear this quite well. It's better (IMO) than a bell because they often perceive the bell as being an arrogant "get out of my way!!!".

On a MTB trail, when i'm 4ft off the ground, travelling at 20mph, no amount of bell ringing is going to turn a determined rambler from their mission to get in the way, as such pointless.

Marco_Panettone

Use a bell in plenty of time. Slow down. Give vulnerable road users more space. Just like we ask drivers to do for us. It's not that hard.

armyknife

Marco_Panettone wrote: »

Use a bell in plenty of time. Slow down. Give vulnerable road users more space. Just like we ask drivers to do for us. It's not that hard.

Quoted for the truth.

sun-n-moon

I use a polite good morning or excuse me. I never recieve any animosity and usually get an apology in reply.
I've often had to stop though as I sometimes end up getting in conversation with somebody as they mention the weather or traffic etc.
The bell does seem arrogant to some people. I think my way also gives a better impression of cyclists to the general public.