Cycling on the footpath dangerous to pedestrians
I can sympathise with cyclists when they say that they feel unsafe and threatened on our roads due to the amount of traffic and of course through the actions of selfish drivers. Traffic volume has increased quite dramatically over the years and our cyclists on the road are not always well catered for.
What I don't understand is why some of them, when after they've acknowledged that a fast moving metal object can seriously injure someone, ride their cycles on the footpaths, weaving between people, creating obstruction and generally risking the health and wellbeing of pedestrians, in order to avoid being injured on the road themselves. Pedestrian crossings seem to be fair game to them as well. Children and especially the elderly stand very little chance if hit by a solid speeding handle bar in the ribs or step out of a shop and into the path of one of these inconsiderate individuals.
Not only that but when confronted about their antisocial, illegal and dangerous "driving habits" they either immediately assume the moral high ground and arrogantly tell you to get out of their way, or you're ignored as if you don't exist, the very same behaviour described when they complain about inconsiderate motor vehicle drivers on the road. If you wish to come off a stretch of road and use a footpath, get off your bike and push it. It's the law.
Just one example; not so long ago my wife and I were on holiday in the Lakes and were walking along a narrow footbridge which clearly bore the sign, "Cyclists Dismount" and even had a picture of a bike with a red line through it as you entered onto the bridge itself. Halfway across the bridge and we were forced to squeeze ourselves to the side as a cyclists came past, tutting at the inconvenience of our presence and having had to slow down. Of course we were just ignored when we pointed out and quoted the signs at either end of the bridge.
Would any cyclists who do this like to explain why they put others at risk of injury, I'd be interested to understand the reasoning for your actions.
Cycling is a popular and healthy alternative to the motor car with the obvious environmental advantages, but please, don't justify your actions by saying that cycling on the road is too dangerous for you and then transfer that danger to the pedestrian on the footpath.
Thank you.
By: Sandman
Comments from visitors
"CAR DRIVER - 23-Sep-11 18:30"
"I also saw a cyclist knocked down about three months ago. He chose to cycle at great speed on the pavement of the road where I live, instead of in the cycle lane that has been provided in the road. The driver naturally was not expecting someone to speed across the road like that and hit him. "
I wonder who got the blame though?
"I also saw a cyclist knocked down about three months ago. He chose to cycle at great speed on the pavement of the road where I live, instead of in the cycle lane that has been provided in the road. The driver naturally was not expecting someone to speed across the road like that and hit him. "
I wonder who got the blame though?
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If the lawless cycopaths behaved with a bit more consideration for other people and stopped seeing themselves as hard done by martyrs they might get some support from the public in general.
As it is people like this Fred do the cycling fraternity more harm than good. Has the man ever condemned any cyclist for any action that has resulted in serious injury to some poor innocent whose only crime is to think they can walk on a footpath in safety?
As it is people like this Fred do the cycling fraternity more harm than good. Has the man ever condemned any cyclist for any action that has resulted in serious injury to some poor innocent whose only crime is to think they can walk on a footpath in safety?
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FRED
Would you like to elaborate as to how you believe cycling on the pavement in any way compares to the women's suffrage movement?
Would you like to elaborate as to how you believe cycling on the pavement in any way compares to the women's suffrage movement?
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I can imagine anon talking to a sufragette, "I don't understand why women are so thick. It's simple women can't vote. They are too stupid to understand the issues and I prefer it if they can't. No exemptions or excuses. How hard is that?"
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I don't understand why cyclists are so thick. It's simple, cycling isn't allowed on pavements unless there is a sign saying they can.
It is dangerous for pedestrians and really annoying as well.
No exceptions, no excuses.
How hard is that?
It is dangerous for pedestrians and really annoying as well.
No exceptions, no excuses.
How hard is that?
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Anne said she was a nurse in a major hospital. All major hospitals contain victims of road traffic collisions. If there were 18 dead in one county how many do you think would be seriously injured? Where do you think all the money from car insurance goes? Most probably goes to the lawyers but a lot does go to compensating the victims. Replacing the cars is cheap in comparison. A nurse in a major hospital might not physically see the collisions but they would see the results.
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Terry, if you mean the blue sign with a white bike but no people on it , that usually means there is a bike lane in the road or one coming up shortly.
A lot of modern road signage is rather confusing.
A lot of modern road signage is rather confusing.
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". If she had said it is awful seeing a loved grandparent killed in a road traffic collision I wouldn't have asked because she probably would have seen many."
Why on earth would you assume that she has probably seen many people killed by a car? I have never witnesses one person being killed by a car. I have seen quite a few crashes between vehicles but only one incident where a pedestrian was knocked down; it was the child's fault but fortunately the driver was going well below the speed limit and the boy was not badly hurt.
Please don't sidestep and say you meant that as a nurse she must have seen this because you already said you don't believe she is a nurse. In any case, a nurse does not witness the accident Fred.
I also saw a cyclist knocked down about three months ago. He chose to cycle at great speed on the pavement of the road where I live, instead of in the cycle lane that has been provided in the road. The driver naturally was not expecting someone to speed across the road like that and hit him. Again, the driver was a careful one who was driving slowly and the cyclist got off lightly with just some bruises but nothing more serious.
You seem to have a phobia about cars. You make the assumption that everyone must have seen many people killed by a car. The population of the UK is about 61 million, so if every person must have witnessed several people being killed on the roads that , even if they only witness two such deaths, would make more than 120 million fatalities.
Is it nice on your planet Fred?
Why on earth would you assume that she has probably seen many people killed by a car? I have never witnesses one person being killed by a car. I have seen quite a few crashes between vehicles but only one incident where a pedestrian was knocked down; it was the child's fault but fortunately the driver was going well below the speed limit and the boy was not badly hurt.
Please don't sidestep and say you meant that as a nurse she must have seen this because you already said you don't believe she is a nurse. In any case, a nurse does not witness the accident Fred.
I also saw a cyclist knocked down about three months ago. He chose to cycle at great speed on the pavement of the road where I live, instead of in the cycle lane that has been provided in the road. The driver naturally was not expecting someone to speed across the road like that and hit him. Again, the driver was a careful one who was driving slowly and the cyclist got off lightly with just some bruises but nothing more serious.
You seem to have a phobia about cars. You make the assumption that everyone must have seen many people killed by a car. The population of the UK is about 61 million, so if every person must have witnessed several people being killed on the roads that , even if they only witness two such deaths, would make more than 120 million fatalities.
Is it nice on your planet Fred?
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http://www.cyclestreets.net/galleries/192/
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/pete.meg/wcc/facility-of-the-month/September2007.htm
It is interesting the cyclist dismount sign. They are overused in the UK. I can't remember seeing the equivalent in other countries. There are never any signs telling you to mount your bike. Getting off your bike doubles your width and makes it less controllable. It is particularly dangerous if you have a child on a child seat on the bicycle. They are only advisory and seem normally best ignored.
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/pete.meg/wcc/facility-of-the-month/September2007.htm
It is interesting the cyclist dismount sign. They are overused in the UK. I can't remember seeing the equivalent in other countries. There are never any signs telling you to mount your bike. Getting off your bike doubles your width and makes it less controllable. It is particularly dangerous if you have a child on a child seat on the bicycle. They are only advisory and seem normally best ignored.
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Sandman, when you say "If you wish to come off a stretch of road and use a footpath, get off your bike and push it. It's the law.", this is true unless a blue sign indicates that it is legal to cycle on that particular footway.
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Did anyone read in the same Bournemouth Echo about the 18 road fatalities in the county in one year? It really is carnage out on the roads. Anne was saying that it is awful seeing a loved grandparent die after being hit by a pavement cyclist. I asked her how many times she had seen it happen and she declined to comment. If she had said it is awful seeing a loved grandparent killed in a road traffic collision I wouldn't have asked because she probably would have seen many.
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I sit next to our lawyer at work and she has just told me that there is no longer a restriction in the time limit. So, I stand corrected on the time frame but the principal is still correct.
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Just as a matter of interest....If a victim of crime dies within one year and one day of the offence being committed, the offender can technically be charged with their murder under English law!
I don't suppose it happens too often as it is probably difficult to prove but it has been known. I guess it would come down to how the 'accident' was treated at the time. If it was considered to be an accident then I guess you couldn't pursue it later but if the cyclist was charged with an offence then you might be able to.
Anyway, it matters very little really. The answer is not to cycle on footpaths in the first place. Similarly, don't walk in the road!
I don't suppose it happens too often as it is probably difficult to prove but it has been known. I guess it would come down to how the 'accident' was treated at the time. If it was considered to be an accident then I guess you couldn't pursue it later but if the cyclist was charged with an offence then you might be able to.
Anyway, it matters very little really. The answer is not to cycle on footpaths in the first place. Similarly, don't walk in the road!
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"We'll take that to be zero deaths caused by pavement cyclists then."
Pavement cyclists can and do cause deaths. That fact is a matter of record. They also cause many other injuries. Is death the only outcome that matters?
The point Anne is making about hip fractures is that if the death occurs months later then the cyclist will not get the blame he or she deserves.
I read the article. The criminal let the scene of the crime. What would you say about a car driver who knocked down a cyclist in the road, broke her hip and then rode off? Even if the accident was the cyclists fault it would still count as a hit and run. That is what this was too , except it was not the old lady's fault.
Pavement cyclists can and do cause deaths. That fact is a matter of record. They also cause many other injuries. Is death the only outcome that matters?
The point Anne is making about hip fractures is that if the death occurs months later then the cyclist will not get the blame he or she deserves.
I read the article. The criminal let the scene of the crime. What would you say about a car driver who knocked down a cyclist in the road, broke her hip and then rode off? Even if the accident was the cyclists fault it would still count as a hit and run. That is what this was too , except it was not the old lady's fault.
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We'll take that to be zero deaths caused by pavement cyclists then.
Yes lots of elderly people die from hip fractures - hardly the fault of pavement cyclists.
Blood clots do cause strokes and heart attacks but I am afraid that the clot arising from a fracture would tend to lodge in the lungs causing a pulmonary embolus.
I have said the man was obviously cycling too fast. If you read the article more carefully you will see that somebody else was with the elderly person when he rode off. He didn't just leave her there.
Yes lots of elderly people die from hip fractures - hardly the fault of pavement cyclists.
Blood clots do cause strokes and heart attacks but I am afraid that the clot arising from a fracture would tend to lodge in the lungs causing a pulmonary embolus.
I have said the man was obviously cycling too fast. If you read the article more carefully you will see that somebody else was with the elderly person when he rode off. He didn't just leave her there.
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Fred E.
Can you think of a good reason why I should answer all your questions when you never answer anyone elses?
Of course blood clots are a major cause of strokes! Heart attacks as well.
My point is that ... however it is caused ....a broken hip often results in the death of an elderly person. It just doesnt happen immediately.
Cyclists should keep off pavements.
A question for you...why have you not condemned this criminal who mowed down an elderly person and then like a coward rode away and left her there?
Can you think of a good reason why I should answer all your questions when you never answer anyone elses?
Of course blood clots are a major cause of strokes! Heart attacks as well.
My point is that ... however it is caused ....a broken hip often results in the death of an elderly person. It just doesnt happen immediately.
Cyclists should keep off pavements.
A question for you...why have you not condemned this criminal who mowed down an elderly person and then like a coward rode away and left her there?
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I cycle quite a lot these days as I am not getting any younger, am getting wider and want to do something about it. One of my gripes is with pedestrians!
There are a lot of dedicated cycle routes near where I live. They cut through country parks etc. they are a delight to ride around as there is nothing like being out in the fresh air. Unfortunately I too often encounter pedestrians walking along them (especially dog walkers). They don't move out of the way and they shout after you if you nearly hit them. They ignore the bell and expect you to know that they're going to wander sideways with no warning. These are not footpaths, they are purpose built cycle only routes.
Cycling on a footpath is not acceptable, I totally agree with that, so I wish all you pedestrians would keep off our cycle routes!
There are a lot of dedicated cycle routes near where I live. They cut through country parks etc. they are a delight to ride around as there is nothing like being out in the fresh air. Unfortunately I too often encounter pedestrians walking along them (especially dog walkers). They don't move out of the way and they shout after you if you nearly hit them. They ignore the bell and expect you to know that they're going to wander sideways with no warning. These are not footpaths, they are purpose built cycle only routes.
Cycling on a footpath is not acceptable, I totally agree with that, so I wish all you pedestrians would keep off our cycle routes!
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Thanks for my appraisal.
You said "if you had seen someone die from injuries caused by cyclists. then maybe you too would change your mind and just cycle in the road where you belong" and I replied "Very few people ever die from injuries caused by cyclists. I would be surprised if so called Anne had ever seen one." You then say "And I have indeed seen injuries". Would you like to elaborate more on all the deaths you have seen? How many years were you a nurse? How many deaths did you see?
Old people frequently fracture bones but it is most commonly done by a fall at home or maybe on some ice or even from a collision with a car.
Could you please explain how a blood clot causes a massive stroke. Don't the lungs tend to get in the way?
Cyclists can seriously injure or even kill pedestrians but it is uncommon. I study accident statistics to try and work out how we can have less injuries and deaths. I focus on the big killers first not the ones at the bottom.
You said "if you had seen someone die from injuries caused by cyclists. then maybe you too would change your mind and just cycle in the road where you belong" and I replied "Very few people ever die from injuries caused by cyclists. I would be surprised if so called Anne had ever seen one." You then say "And I have indeed seen injuries". Would you like to elaborate more on all the deaths you have seen? How many years were you a nurse? How many deaths did you see?
Old people frequently fracture bones but it is most commonly done by a fall at home or maybe on some ice or even from a collision with a car.
Could you please explain how a blood clot causes a massive stroke. Don't the lungs tend to get in the way?
Cyclists can seriously injure or even kill pedestrians but it is uncommon. I study accident statistics to try and work out how we can have less injuries and deaths. I focus on the big killers first not the ones at the bottom.
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Fred E
While the numbers of people riding bikes on pavements has greatly increased over the last couple of years in particular this is not a new thing.
There have always been people who are more than willing to put their own wishes above the safety of others in this way.
I would just like you to know that I am not Fed Up Pedestrian. And I have indeed seen injuries suffered by elderly people in this way..... I am speaking from years of experience as a Geriatric Nurse in a major hospital.
It does not take much force to fracture the bones of someone old - as people get older their bones become far more fragile.. And this kind of injury is not uncommon at all. Bits of bone can splinter and tear into blood vassals... Blood clots can then easily break away and the result can then be a massive stroke or death.
I feel your response most clearly shows your lack of care for others.
Instead of any reasoned argument (because none is possible in this instance) your reaction is just what I said before i.e.. A form of total denial.
Denial that I exist.
Denial that cyclists can seriously injure or even kill pedestrians.
All you have done is simply prove me right in my appraisal of you.
While the numbers of people riding bikes on pavements has greatly increased over the last couple of years in particular this is not a new thing.
There have always been people who are more than willing to put their own wishes above the safety of others in this way.
I would just like you to know that I am not Fed Up Pedestrian. And I have indeed seen injuries suffered by elderly people in this way..... I am speaking from years of experience as a Geriatric Nurse in a major hospital.
It does not take much force to fracture the bones of someone old - as people get older their bones become far more fragile.. And this kind of injury is not uncommon at all. Bits of bone can splinter and tear into blood vassals... Blood clots can then easily break away and the result can then be a massive stroke or death.
I feel your response most clearly shows your lack of care for others.
Instead of any reasoned argument (because none is possible in this instance) your reaction is just what I said before i.e.. A form of total denial.
Denial that I exist.
Denial that cyclists can seriously injure or even kill pedestrians.
All you have done is simply prove me right in my appraisal of you.
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Fred - still waiting for you to either apologise or quote the relevant parts of my post.
No, I am not Anne. You do seem desperate to change the subject as usual, but it won't work tonight.
No, I am not Anne. You do seem desperate to change the subject as usual, but it won't work tonight.
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