Pedestrians versus Cyclists - Who's to Blame?

Maree … who has blamed her for her own death? No one.
Though some do seem to believe that people with mental problems or learning difficulties should be locked up.

Well a reliable witness said she waved her hand forcibly at the cyclist and may have made contact

I think the cyclist fell because of that and the pedestrian blocking her way. You can see the pedestrian marching in an entitled way in the middle of the pavement a long time before she reached the cyclist and she had plenty of time to move to left, the cyclist had the manners to keep to the right, after all

I think she’s sane though, just rude, aggressive and a bully with a strong sense of entitlement.

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Hmm …

So Auriol Grey is in the hospital wing of a prison, awaiting a permanent prison placement for the rest of her sentence, while waiting for her appeal against the rest of her sentence to be heard

I fear that she probably will get her sentence reduced by playing the disability card but I think it will be very wrong if she does, particularly as the judge said her disabilities didn’t cause her to behave as she did

But I hope the sentence gets upheld or lengthened and my thoughts at the moment are to agree with the Detective Sergeant in charge of the case

“I am pleased with the verdict and hope it is a stark reminder to all road users to take care and be considerate to each other.“

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Can’t say I’m very competitive, especially these days :grinning: but I still like to have insurance. Hope I never have to use it. I’m going to take a photo of my bike in the morning and post it here. Definitely an ‘old bloke’ sort of bike.

I believe cycle clubs do require members to have insurance. It may even be part of the membership fee.

I can honestly say that I have never seen a road racing machine like this ever used on any footpath or even cycle track. Because of the speed and danger to pedestrians I would never consider riding on anything other than roads, and I don’t know of any members of any cycling club (and I know a few) who would ride on paths meant for pedestrians.

Road racing Bike

A bit off topic , I know , shoot me for it … but do cycling clubs use public parks ? I don’t even know if there are cycle paths in parks for ordinary bikers.

Psst … I have seem them blitzing down my street three abreast when practising for the annual mini road race… but they close the roads for the actual race.

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When I used to go rough-riding with my brother, we’d use cycle paths to get around. There is a particularly good one alongside a fast but not very busy road that we rode on. Rarely met any pedestrians because of it being a country road. We would often see cyclists such at the one shown and they would never ride on that cycle path. We could never figure out why not. It was almost as if they didn’t want to mix it up with cyclists like us.

True anyway that racers don’t like to use cycle paths or shared paths for one reason or another. They must do sometimes I suppose but I’ve never seen any.

My thought Foxy, these geezers are in the main, narrow sighted but, you never see them on a footpath, just goes to show the prejudice.

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I wouldn’t have thought they’d be able to get up to any speed on a footpath. Around my neck of the woods they’re all ridged with tree roots … the footpaths.

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I don’t know. I see what must be members of cycling clubs riding on the road in groups at weekends but not in parks as far as I know. I once thought about joining a U3A cycling group but prefer to be a lone cyclist mostly. I used to enjoy going onto the rough ground with friends and family but that doesn’t happen any more.

There was just me and my older brother used to ride when all others didn’t but he can’t ride now (failing and in hospital). I just use a speed limited e-bike for going about locally on my own.

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I avoid the local park since the council put a (shared) cycle path in there during lockdown. Yes there are clubs that think they can cycle all over that park and not just the cycle path bit. The only place to go for a quiet walk is on the grass. Take your wellies. Poor dog doesn’t understand why we don’t go to the park much any more.

Go there tomorrow, and do a cyclist audit, you may surprised at the lack of.

cyclists and bad weather aren’t a compatible mix

We can make a seasonal adjustment if necessary.

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I just watched the video again:

Look like they updated it with a reporter on the scene and it looks like there was plenty of room for the lady to stand by the lamppost to allow the cyclist to pass. I could understand the aggression if it was someone capable/more confident of riding on the road or being more able to brake or slow down quickly, but I’d class OAPs on cycles pretty much the same as children.

The only thing I’d say perhaps is it does look like the woman has physical health issues (from the way she’s walking). There used to be a pensioner here who had a similar gait and he said he had awful trouble with one of his legs and that it was sometimes painful to walk. So I imagine that might explain part of the reason why her attitude was like that?

All in all it seems like a tragic accident that could have been avoided with better laws/guidance.

Not sure if they’re the same but it’s those bikes where they lean forward. Tho sometimes it’s people on those large hybrid type bikes. It doesn’t happen often, usually in the summer and usually people not from this area, which makes it even more annoying.

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Highway Code (from The Highway Code - Rules for cyclists (59 to 82) - Guidance - GOV.UK)

Rule 13

Routes shared with cyclists. Cycle tracks may run alongside footpaths or pavements and be separated from them by a feature such as a change of material, a verge, a kerb or a white line. Such routes may also incorporate short lengths of tactile paving to help visually impaired people stay on the correct side. On the pedestrian side this may comprise a series of flat-topped bars running across the direction of travel (ladder pattern). On the cyclist side the same bars are orientated in the direction of travel (tramline pattern).

Some routes shared with cyclists will not be separated by such a feature allowing cyclists and pedestrians to share the same space. Cyclists should respect your safety (see Rule 62) but you should also take care not to obstruct or endanger them. Always remain aware of your environment and avoid unnecessary distractions.

Where signs indicate, some routes are shared between pedestrians, cyclists, horse riders and horse drawn vehicles. Cyclists, horse riders and drivers of horse drawn vehicles should respect your safety, but you should take care not to obstruct or endanger them. Always remain aware of your environment and avoid unnecessary distractions.

Rule 62

Cycle Tracks. These are routes for cyclists that are physically protected or located away from motor traffic, other than where they cross side roads (see Rule 206). Cycle tracks may run alongside footpaths or pavements and be separated by a feature such as a change of material, a verge, a kerb or a white line. You MUSTkeep to the side intended for cyclists as the pedestrian side remains a pavement or footpath.

Some cycle tracks shared with pedestrians will not be separated by such a feature. On such shared use routes, you should always take care when passing pedestrians, especially children, older or disabled people, and allow them plenty of room. Always be prepared to slow down and stop if necessary (see Rule H2).

Law HA 1835 sect 72

Rule 63

Sharing space with pedestrians, horse riders and horse drawn vehicles. When riding in places where sharing with pedestrians, horse riders or horse drawn vehicles is permitted, take care when passing pedestrians and horse riders, especially children, older adults or disabled people. Slow down when necessary and let them know you are there; for example, by ringing your bell (it is recommended that a bell is fitted to your bike), or by calling out politely.

Remember that pedestrians may be deaf, blind or partially sighted and that this may not be obvious.

Do not pass pedestrians, horse riders or horse drawn vehicles closely or at high speed, particularly from behind. You should not pass a horse on their left. Remember that horses can be startled if passed without warning. Always be prepared to slow down and stop when necessary.

Rule 64

You MUST NOT cycle on a pavement.

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I am sympathetic to the cyclist in this case but generally I hate lycra louts or those who are too cool to use a bell and arrive fast and silently . You don’t know they are there until they are practically in your pocket .

I disagree Muddy, when I morph from pedestrian mode to cyclist, I would never dream of ringing a bell to alert folks, it suggests a superior position, get out of the way attitude, I stay behind at walking pace until there is sufficient space to pass without causing shock or surprise.

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I’m staying with my sister in Surrey , we go for a drive out a couple of times a week , many cyclists here In large groups , they ride 2 and 3 abreast on the road , so overtaking can be difficult . Sister says they can ride 2 abreast but not three but maybe someone can clarify this for me .

Also , there are designated cycle paths yet we notice the cycle paths are empty and the cyclists stay on the main road, why ? They ride at full speed peddling full on .

It’s become a regular discussion between us as we drive into the different areas .