CJG wrote:
In answer to your first question, It's because a pavement cyclist has the potential to kill. That can't possibly be denied.
I bet you can't find more than a handful of such occurrences? It's far less than the people who get killed by coconuts each year, or hippos, so you are exaggerating for the sake of emphasis - big time! (A technique I sometimes use
)
CJG wrote:
In answer to your second and third question, shortly after I was almost knocked down by a pavement cyclist on the Shore Road, I was walking on the shared cycle track beside Belfast Lough.
So you weren't knocked down at all then. He sh1t you up and you hate him for it. I don't blame you. You should have slapped the moron or pushed him over to teach him a lesson in manners.
CJG wrote:
Of the dozen or so cyclists who went by me, every single one obeyed that rule to the letter - no exceptions! In my view that is an acceptable safety standard that all cyclists should strive for. And it shows that there are attentive, responsible cyclists out there.
But that is precisely the point I am trying, and failing it seems, to make. It isn't the act itself which is dangerous or abhorrent, it's the idiotic and irresponsible cyclists.
People are irresponsible on the paths just as they are irresponsible on the roads. You have got to be going PDQ to hurt someone, least of all kill them, on a bicycle. The exception does not prove the rule. I’m not condoning the act of stupid cyclists going too fast or close to others but, just like speeding, if it is done appropriately and responsibly like they do in Amsterdam or Copenhagen where I have seen it for myself - it simply is not dangerous. But I’m not even talking about cycling on the paths all the time and that’s not what I am suggesting or saying I do...
Typical scenario of the 1% I
might do.. I cycle up a road which is not very wide where the traffic constantly overtakes me leaving inches of room rather than wait until there is nothing coming the other way. On occasions I hear a bus or one of those lorry’s carrying a skip coming up behind me and I think “I have a choice now. There is a pavement WITH NO-ONE ON IT which I could use until the danger is passed or I can play roulette with my life”.
I can hear chains slapping against the side of the skip ringing out like a death knell as he thunders along hitting pot holes which resound like gunshots.. He’s revving the engine! This driver is not slowing down! I can physically feel my heart beating in my chest. It isn’t a lorry that’s chasing me it the grim
reaper.
This is not me exaggerating for the sake of emphasis now, this is a regular occurrence where I am which is why I say, and I didn’t mean to be rude, if you don’t have experience of this then your opinion has little merit in my eyes. I have never harmed a pedestrian or indeed ever given them concern that I am likely to clip them on the path where it is allowed, and I never will.
A lot of this cycling hatred stems from people who see cyclists flouting the rules of traffic lights and ride on pavements with complete disregard for others safety or fear IMO.