Cycling in and around Birmingham England

Pedestrians deliberately walk in front of cyclists?

CKS said:

Pedestrians deliberately walk in front of cyclists.

Do you just mean the occasional yob? Or do people actually walk in front of you?

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by allthegearnoidea on December 23, 2011 at 10:06

In Birmingham city centre it is common for pedestrians to look, see you and cross the road anyway. So, yes, they deliberately walk in front of you. Most of the time I see this as very much the same as me filtering in traffic — there's enough space for both of us if I give a little, either by braking or by weaving. Of course there are occasions where they simply don't look and I know TimHodson (http://www.birminghamcyclist.com/profile/TimHodson) has certainly hit at least one.

It can be particularly hair-raising on the side roads around New Street and up to Temple and Colmore Rows. These areas are approaching "shared space" though; very little vehicular traffic and a sense that it pedestrian dominated. I expect people to walk in the road and to step out without looking. Just as I do myself when there on foot.

I have seen cyclists get annoyed at pedestrians shouting things like "it's a road!" and it seems to me this is as bad as drivers shouting at us. We run the risk that we end up treating pedestrians with the disrespect we accuse drivers of motor vehicles of having for cyclists.

rob

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by CKS on December 23, 2011 at 12:26

RE: Do you just mean the occasional yob? Or do people actually walk in front of you?

I've had people walk out in front of me on New Street, stop, turn around and start speaking to somebody who was then 2-3 meters away from them.

There was absolutely no reason why they stop directly in my path other than to force me to change it or collide with them.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by John KIRK on December 23, 2011 at 13:06

I think in built up areas we all have to show a little more patience - me included . Cyclists should show the way.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Jon Ingram on December 23, 2011 at 14:10

Don't think I've ever had any 'deliberate' jay walking from a pedestrian. Thoughtless, yes, where they've obviously misjudged my speed or are blindly following their dog/child/shopping trolley. And those who blithely step off the pavement without looking as you approach from behind.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Kim on December 23, 2011 at 16:13

Other than the occasional oik at a bus stop who thinks it's funny to play chicken with the cyclist, I find it's nearly always a case of them misjudging my speed or direction (I find it's usually best to pass behind them if possible), or lemmings who simply don't look before crossing the road. A well tuned spidey-sense and willingness to slow right down usually avoids problems.

On a related note, I made an interesting discovery while riding on the towpaths in the Gas Street Basin area the other day: studded tyres make a distinctive but unusual noise on hard surfaces, which turns out to be *the* most effective way of getting pedestrians to pay attention and not step in front of you that I've come across. Far higher success rate than ringing a bell, noisily changing gear, sniffling, saying 'good afternoon' or 'excuse me', or anything else I've tried.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by John KIRK on December 23, 2011 at 19:18

I think a lot of cars and pedestrians underestimate the speed of cyclists.They seem to work on the basis that we ae moving at 8mph rather than 16 to 25mph. Often they look quite shocked when you are upon them too quickly .

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Daniel Carins on December 23, 2011 at 22:03

http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2011/dec/19/save-cyclists-du...

Mark Cavendish won the BBC sports personality of the year. People ask questions about a possible rise in interest in cycling.

But everyday I'm faced with abuse and threats from car drivers and pedestrians around West Bromwich and Walsall for simply having the freakish nerve to cycle on the roads. The eedjits who cycle on the pavement there probably think they're doing car drivers a favour by getting out of their way, because they are so in thrall to the "prestige" of being able to throw away £1.40 a litre on fuel. I had a nice man tell me to "fuck off" today because I pointed out the cycle path he was walking in isn't a footpath.

Having said that, cycling in really busy places like Birmingham city centre I think requires a bit of consideration, as has been mentioned a couple of times above - it's just not sensible to ride full pelt even if you can, because there are so many more risks than on a suburban road.