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So size isn't everything? Well it is when it comes to pedestrians. As a pedestrian, I've realised recently that I just don't count. So many times I've been forced off the pavement and on to the road by people who insist on parking on the pavement.
Worse still are those who park there and then suddenly decided to drive off onto the road again without giving any signal at all. Scary for the poor pedestrian who is trying to sidle past between the car and the wall. Sometimes it's necessary to resort to limbo dancing to get under the wing mirrors and what do you do if the passenger decides to open their door onto the pavement without looking?
teenagers who block the entire pavement ...
Then there's the gangs of teenagers who block the entire pavement and force you into the road. I stood my ground the other day and refused to be pushed off and I got a sarcastic 'Oh, was I in your way?' as I negotiated my way past them. One their own this probably wouldn't happen, but when there's a big gang of them they think they're invincible. Perhaps it's the way they were brought up (that's another gripe).
Then it's off to the supermarket where someone with a basket is invariably bullied by those with a trolley, the bigger the better for some, it seems. They don't seem to even see you, just knock you out of the way as they barge down the aisle. Again, it's all down to size and if they're bigger than you then you just don't matter.
I choose to walk to save money and it's good for the environment. However, the way I'm constantly pushed and shoved around as though I were invisible is making me think twice. I'm often tempted to buy one of those huge, petrol-guzzling four door Landrover monstrosities and then I can be the bully for a change!
By: Paula pedestrian
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You also forget the one statistic that cycling organisations forget to tell you. People who cycle everywhere instead of walking have an increased risk of osteoporosis! Your bones are getting weaker because cycling is not weight bearing.
You'd probably be better-off as a cyclist. You'll still get bullied by motorists especially the 4x4s, vans and lorries but the risks of cycling are lower than that of being a pedestrian. You'll get to your destination quicker, but use less energy than walking. Typically the same person can ride two to three times as far as they can walk, but get there in a fraction of the time. Cycling is ~ ten times more likely to extend your life than shorten it. Should you decide to start cycling, I strongly recommend joining the local cycling group who will give you handy tips on road safety.
Also read Cyclecraft by John Franklin, it's the official 'manual' of Bikeability, the National Cycle Training Standard. Full of common-sense advice about road safety that isn't common, recommend it to any cyclists you know. I have no axe to grind, I'm just a fan of that book.
All the while those in cars are getting less healthy as they sit in their fume filled coffins.
Next, I think a lot of people are just downright inconsiderate. This afternoon, for example, I was walking back with some shopping and my way was blocked by a 4 x 4 car, parked half on the pavement, half on the road, outside a fish and chip shop. The owner of the car was sat inside, eating her dinner. The problem was, she hadn't spotted a large litter bin in front of her car. This meant that pedestrians were hardly able to squeeze between the wall, the litter bin and the front of the car.
I saw a couple of people have a go, banging their Christmas shopping against the front of the car. Others had to plunge into a busy road to get round. Some waited patiently to cross to the other side. I did try and squeeze through but was worried that, as the engine was still running, the car might shoot forward and hit me.
Not great, really.
As for teenagers, I'm really polite, I do ask nicely. But there is a certain kind of teenager that blocks the pavement just for fun, to show off to his mates. Don't you ever read the newspapers - people HAVE got knifed for challenging them.
So I disagree with all you wrote, basically.
Have a good weekend.
There are some gangs of teenagers that I wouldn't dare go through the middle of. Likely to get knifed. Good luck to you!
And if you are wheelchair bound grunt and be heard. Suffer not the indignation you might cause. Count yourself lucky that you are not riding in a Robin Reliant. Park on the pavement and get away with it. I am 5 foot 2 but far bigger in heart than any of these pinheads over 2 metres high.
Bigness is relative to the purpose in hand. A screw too big for the hole won't go in. Remember the bigger you are the more expensive your coffin is going to be. And people who live in big houses have higher heating bills and need to eat more food and generate larger volumes of waste matter.
i dont see anything wrong with parking abit on the path, people want to park outside there house not a 5 min walk down the road so they might aswel park on the pavement.
i am a walker and a driver, its not that hard to edge around a car?! or go sideways for a second.
gangs of teenagers - yes they are annoying, but I dont move out the way for them - I just go through them
and the trolley issue? iv never had that happen to me so cant comment
If you have to imagine something then it is not an observation.
stdg