I do admire keep fit fanatics
primarily because I can no longer follow the same
energetic pursuit. However, I
do dislike seeing elderlies almost knocked over by inexperienced runners. Yes,
it happened recently to an elderly man, right in front of me. Fortunately, he
didn’t hit the deck or Mr Runner would have felt the power of my hand. Yep, I
might be ancient but I could still pull a punch if pushed, or should I say when pushed? To give him his due he
didn’t run off but he didn’t even ask how the guy was. He had stopped – end of
story!
It used to happen in the local park,
both Joe and I reported to each other
incidents whereby we were bothered by
runners and cyclists who wanted the paths (not roads) to themselves, using bad
language to make us shift. No matter that we were three times their age and
less able to move quickly.
Cyclists were the scariest. Apparently
bells don’t exist anymore. I spotted this piece of information which was
published in 2011.
‘A
requirement for all new bikes to be fitted with a bell before they leave the
shop is one of 142 transport-related regulations likely to be scrapped by the
Department for Transport (DfT) in response to a ‘Red Tape Challenge’ launched
in May.’
It’s a long article which mentioned
cyclists on roads and footpaths but no mention of park paths that are close to
animals and their dens and passing walkers, paths which to my mind should only
be used by walkers. Perhaps one day the powers-that-be will reconsider or at
least make some effort to train cyclists in the art of cycling in a considerate
manner. There is nothing worse for hard of hearing people and the elderlies
than to have a bicycle skim by in scary fashion.
Thought for the day: Cyclists protect themselves with helmets but a mere walker doesn't. Maybe the law should change so that walkers wear protective gear as well. Coats lined with steel wouldn't come amiss!
Although I miss my dogs, I am glad I
don’t have to walk in parks anymore. It’s
far too terrifying.
I know it! Young people of today figure you are in their space, just like they expect to get everything else.
ReplyDeleteUgg! I hear ya... And I ride a bike! My wife and I enjoy the local paths... she runs and I bike. (Both of the problem people.) hehe. But even we are harassed by cyclist treating the paved paths as if they are race tracks. And they are rude! Not only in behavior but also in comments! Obscenities as they race past us at light speed because I did not move over fast enough. If only there were a way to create a sense of civility and consideration among people who share public spaces. Without any law makers messing with things.
ReplyDeleteSJQ, sad, isn't it? If we had behaved so our parents would have taken steps to make sure we didn't do it again. Now it seems parents can't even chastise their kids.
ReplyDeleteThe Great Ethan Allen, Hi to you and thanks for calling in on my blog. I think we've gone too far in allowing what I call irresponsible behaviour and now it's too late to change things. Oh my, I sound like an old woman!
ReplyDeleteI find bicyclists the worst on paths and on the road. Even when there are bike lanes they block the road and make passing difficult. When walking I hate having to watch out for them and they're never very polite about nearly nicking you.
ReplyDeleteI am always sad when yobs give cyclists a bad name. We always try to be respectful of other users of paths and roads, but the maniacs are scary to responsible cyclists too!
ReplyDeleteSome parents actually teach their kids to cycle on the pavement because they think it's safer than the road...I mean safer for the cyclists, not the pedestrians!
AMEN to this post, Valerie! OMG...I can't tell you HOW MANY times I've seen people on the sidewalks almost hit (and knocked down) by either runners or bike riders. And yet, it's a law in the city of Philadelphia that bikes are forbidden on the sidewalks and are instead given a bike lane on the streets. However, no one ever obeys it because the police never enforce the law, they just allow it to slide by. What really irks me about runners and bikers is their arrogant sense of "entitlement" and that every one else on the sidewalks should move out of the way for them.
ReplyDelete" we were bothered by runners and cyclists who wanted the paths (not roads) to themselves, using bad language to make us shift."
Yes, I experienced the same thing several years ago, however, I went ballistic and screamed obscenities back. I used every nasty word I could think of, which scared the hell out of the two runners- HA!
Great post topic, my friend! And one that needed to be expressed.
Hope you're having a lovely Sunday!
X to you and Charlie
One of the reasons parents don't chastise their kids, is that they are not around to see the behavior.
ReplyDeleteI don't tend to walk that often, well apart from the house to the car but I do find cyclists on the road a pain, especially the country roads where we live. They often cycle two abreast so you can't move past them, and then swing out violently to avoid pot holes and then give you the middle finger or shout at you when you try to get past them.
ReplyDeleteMac n' Janet, the impoliteness is what gets me, too. It's as though manners were never taught in homes and scbools
ReplyDeleteJenny, I realise that not all cyclists behave badly, but those that do really get my dander up. More and more we see cyclists on footpaths... I can understand a young child being taught there in their first attempts but no more than that. You must see a lot more bad cyclists than I do since I don't walk in the park anymore.
ReplyDeleteRon, don't the cyclists where you live even use the bike lane? OMG that's terrible. Erm.... I have been known to curse cyclists in a loud voice! It's a relief that so many bloggers agree with me, I half expected to be the only one with this grievance.
ReplyDeleteJoe, it seems to happen no matter where we live.... are we breeding a new variety of people who have no thought for others?
ReplyDeleteKatie, you are SO right.
ReplyDeleteI do sympathise with you, as a cyclist. I have a bell on my bike and two sets of lights, one front and one rear. I also have a light on my helmet. I usually wear hi-vis wristbands. It's called common sense. I can vouch for the majority of us, cyclists and runners, and how conscientious we are, yet there is a minority that spoils it for us. I once gave chase to another cyclist who had biked through two reds lights in a row. When I finally caught up with him at another set of traffic lights, I asked him: "Can't you see that you are setting a bad example for us all? Most drivers do not need any excuse to give cyclists a bit of aggro, so you being selfish doesn't help." He just shrugged his shoulders and cycled off. The light was still red.
ReplyDeleteGreetings from London.
In our area it is customary for cyclists or runners to announce "passing on your left". Not everyone does it, but it sure is helpful when they do. I agree, it is a matter of respect for others that we use caution and common courtesy.
ReplyDeleteCarol, that's a brilliant idea. It should be done here.
ReplyDeleteCuban, it is more of a problem with those who are NOT dedicated cyclists like yourself. We had no issues with those, but we were constantly annoyed by cyclists in parks or country lanes. Some thought it great fun to cycle as close to a walker as possible and then yell at them for being in their way.
ReplyDeleteI have had the same issues. We get a loud 'passing on your left' but you don't really hear until they are whizzing by and I tend to freeze in place like a deer in the headlights.
ReplyDeleteDenise, I think if I heard that 'passing on the left' warning I would get muddled...but that is now, I might have been ok in former years! I never heard the warning here.
ReplyDeleteYour idea of helmets for walkers is a good idea. I carry pepper spray when I walk, never had to use it....yet.
ReplyDeletekden,I hope you don't have to use it. I had forgotten pepper sprays but I remember how effective they were.
ReplyDeleteWell said. Bikers can be cautious but many are focused on themselves.
ReplyDeleteJust got a three wheel bike, complete with helmet. My son (a long distance biker) sent me ding-ding bells and biking gloves!
Hey, Susan, three wheels would suit me, I think ... at least round the garden. Road conditions would terrify me in anything other than the car. Will you be able to go far on your three-wheeler? I'd love to hear more about it.
ReplyDelete