Bicycle 0 - Me 1

Freefaller

Freefaller

Freefaller

Man of Honour
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Falling...
Well it's an unfortunate tale really, and I'm sure it's happened to others here, however it was the reaction of the cyclist that alarmed me the most.

Quick overview of the situation:

I'm merrily crossing the road as it's green for pedestrians, a couple of motorbikes pull up to a nice gentle stop, I notice the cyclist, but carry on walking only to find that he's not slowing down and being a stubborn git I decided not to speed up or slow down - needless to say he ran into me.

I know I know, you're worried whether or not I was ok, yes, I'm fine, a little bruise on my arm and probably one on my leg but I can't tell if that's DOMS or just a bruise!

He, however, had a few scrapes and a it of a bloodied t-shirt - poor soul :(

At this point after brushing myself down, I walk over to him quizzically looking at him (and offering a hand, I am a gentleman after all) to which I got nothing but neanderthalic snarls. He starts barking and screaming at me asking me what the **** I thought I was doing?!

Being a man of acute wit I replied rather generally, "crossing the road"... this seemed to rile him further, oh dear. He said that he saw me "clock" him and that i could have moved out of the way?! Is that so? I ask him, well I reminded him that I was crossing the road and that the lights were red for him - to which he protested about me being a smart sarcy ****. Charming!

Anyway after a torrent of abuse he got himself up and carried on... a crowd did form and to his irritation were enquiring as to my health and wondering what the hell that cyclist was doing etc... Which was nice, I felt for the moment genuinely loved - it's a rare but nice feeling.

What I couldn't fathom was why he decided to be so vitriolic towards me? He made a mistake and bounced off me - why should I be the one to blame? Surely everything was in my favour no? Okay, I admit I should have maybe increased my pace a little to let him pass, but i felt defiant and wanted to go at a pace I felt comfortable with.

He wanted to call the police and get me done for assault amongst other charges...

Don't get me wrong I have a lot of respect for people on 2 wheels, I ride a motorbike myself, however if I made a mistake I'd put my hands up and scream mea culpa as loud as I could in an post-coital and dramatic manner.

It's the seething anger that he had towards me that surprised me, were it not for the fact that I'm a gent I fear I may have had a slight bout of fisticuffs with him.

Moral of the story? None really, just wanted to share my experience of today, but also serve as a reminder to cyclists, if you're going to run a red light, don't expect pedestrians to dodge you and accept the repercussions of your actions.
 
Having read all of that, I would agree (I neither drive or cycle really... its usually public transport/taxi/walk for me).

On the other hand, I am always astounded at people walking across roads. Half the time its "oh look car coming. Oh well".
Or
"Well, the lights are just turning green for them to go, but my crossing now will stop them from moving forward" :/
 
Just lol, and well done for taking one for the team! (the walking and paying attention to basic laws team not the gay team)

Should have called the cycle police on his ass for not getting the concept of actually stopping at lights (didnt david cameron get photoed doing it?), and yeah the cycle police do exist and are most comical as the psni wearing the dark green uniforms.... :D
 
I've had this very nearly happen to me a couple of times. Both times the cyclist has ended up stopping very quickly after realising that the people on the crossing weren't going to move out of the way.
 
id have done the same thing you were in your right and cyclists cause a lot of trouble ignoring lights and rounderbouts ect
 
Sometimes, cyclist really think they're up and above the law of road users. I'm a cyclist myself and nothing gets on my **** more than a fellow retarded cyclist deciding he can zoom pass the traffic lights as if the road is his own.

Worst is when they're stuck behind me at a red light, some moan and grunt pass me whilst the light is red - I like to cycle faster than them and over take them only to stop again at the red lights. Great joy :)
 
Banter. Very good work, I may try this myself. Did you brace just before impact? I would image you would come off ok if you brace your shoulder and aim it towards them.
 
Dark_Angel said:
Having read all of that, I would agree (I neither drive or cycle really... its usually public transport/taxi/walk for me).

On the other hand, I am always astounded at people walking across roads. Half the time its "oh look car coming. Oh well".
Or
"Well, the lights are just turning green for them to go, but my crossing now will stop them from moving forward" :/
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Agreed, people who dawdle drive me mildly insane, however I never see the point in rushing when I have the time to cross (I was in my suit and carrying a fair bit of paperwork). Obviously you make sure the way is clear, why put your life in danger - but in this instance it was a big busy junction near vauxhall cross!

Ok my near tenth of a tonne frame was probably an unfair advantage, but I honestly didn't REALLY want him to hit me but I in all honesty was expecting him to stop or swerve around me, but he assumed that I would move which narked me off a bit I must admit.
 
Cyclists generally seem to be a bunch of arrogant, inconsiderate prats who hold unconcealed contempt for anyone else who may be using the road. A large number seem to be unaware that traffic laws also apply to them and just flout them without a care. The ones who annoy me the most are the tools who decide to cycle 5 ft away from the kerb or if there are more than one, cycle next to each other rather than in a line, making passing almost impossible.

Maybe he'll think twice next time he comes to a red light.
 
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Shotgun_ned said:
Cyclists generally seem to be a bunch of arrogant, inconsiderate prats who hold unconcealed contempt for anyone else who may be using the road. A large number seem to be unaware that traffic laws also apply to them and just flout them without a care. The ones who annoy me the most are the tools who decide to cycle 5 ft away from the kerb or if there are more than one, cycle next to each other rather than in a line, making passing almost impossible.

Maybe he'll think twice next time he comes to a red light.
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This.
 
Freefaller said:
Agreed, people who dawdle drive me mildly insane, however I never see the point in rushing when I have the time to cross (I was in my suit and carrying a fair bit of paperwork). Obviously you make sure the way is clear, why put your life in danger - but in this instance it was a big busy junction near vauxhall cross!

Ok my near tenth of a tonne frame was probably an unfair advantage, but I honestly didn't REALLY want him to hit me but I in all honesty was expecting him to stop or swerve around me, but he assumed that I would move which narked me off a bit I must admit.
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I completely agree with you.

It really astounds me how people are so worried about saving those precious 30 seconds of pressing a button and waiting to cross the road in a sensible manner.

Better taking 30 seconds longer, than being hit with a car. That will take a bit more than 30 seconds out of your day.

It is an unfortunate side effect of today's society that people expect the other person to move. I would say congratulations on perhaps "knocking" (excuse the pun) a little sense in to the guy, and that perhaps he will learn his lesson from this. But - sadly, I believe he will probably not take this view. Instead, while talking to his friends will be telling the story of

"I was riding down the road, and this guy jumped out in front of me, basically making me hit him, and wouldn't even admit he was wrong for not letting me cross carry on, even though the lights were red for me.".
 
So just because a lot of cyclists are idiots you have to act like one as well then post about it on the internet? You sure showed him!
 
This really makes me angry. I both cycle and drive and it is one of my pet hates when cyclists decide that the highway code doesn't apply to them.

I dislike people walking stupidly slowly when crossing the road, but if it's a red light there is simply no excuse. Personally (and this is primarily because it's a pet hate) I would have got his name and address and reported him for not adhering to a traffic signal and dangerous cycling.

People like that shouldn't be on the road. Or the pavement either.

Burnsy
 
Well done on you for not moving for him, he was the one in the wrong and should have stopped in good time.

It would be something I would hate to happen to myself as I don't have a huge frame so would suffer a little more readily but hopefully wouldn't just crumple under the blokes tires!
 
FishFluff said:
So just because a lot of cyclists are idiots you have to act like one as well then post about it on the internet? You sure showed him!
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He was obeying traffic signals and acting lawfully. This cannot be said for the cyclist. How can FF be in anyway at fault?

Tefal said:
Well it was a bit silly, as very easily this thread could be titled "RIP Freefaller".
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I'm sure FF did a risk analysis before making his decision. I would have done the same, but probably not kept my composure.

Burnsy
 
Freefaller said:
He wanted to call the police and get me done for assault amongst other charges...
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You should have offered to let him use your phone and let him land himself in the **** for not knowing how to use the road. Moronic cyclist.

Dark_Angel said:
Better taking 30 seconds longer, than being hit with a car. That will take a bit more than 30 seconds out of your day.
Click to expand...

Better late in this world, than early for the next ;)
 
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