Pedestrians break red lights!!!

NeilMcEoigheann

So we all know that some cyclists brake red lights, and that this has lead to nearly all cyclists being tarred with the same rules of the road ignoring brush.
however since i am back to commuting in and out of town i am noticing more and more pedestrians braking red lights, this usually happens when there are not many cars about but there has been many occasions especially on o'connell st where recently a cyclist was severely injured (broken wheel) by a pedestrian who steeped out infront of him.
surely this is as dangerous as a cyclist who is actively looking out for cars breaking a red light?
secondly what is correct cycling etiquette when approaching pedestrian crossings where you have green but there are sometimes literally crowds of people crossing?

DirkVoodoo

I always brake (for) red lights

sorry....

MarkR

NeilMcEoigheann wrote: »

So we all know that some cyclists brake red lights, and that this has lead to nearly all cyclists being tarred with the same rules of the road ignoring brush.
however since i am back to commuting in and out of town i am noticing more and more pedestrians braking red lights, this usually happens when there are not many cars about but there has been many occasions especially on o'connell st where recently a cyclist was severely injured (broken wheel) by a pedestrian who steeped out infront of him.
surely this is as dangerous as a cyclist who is actively looking out for cars breaking a red light?
secondly what is correct cycling etiquette when approaching pedestrian crossings where you have green but there are sometimes literally crowds of people crossing?

That's hardcore. Was it in addition to, or as a replacement for legs?

NeilMcEoigheann

MarkR wrote: »

That's hardcore. Was it in addition to, or as a replacement for legs?

http://boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055696392
it was actually the wheel, i was just naming the important bits first..

cosman9373

NeilMcEoigheann wrote: »

what is correct cycling etiquette when approaching pedestrian crossings where you have green but there are sometimes literally crowds of people crossing?

Straight through i reckon!!

Chips Lovell

Pedestrians are the worst and most of my abrupt braking manouveres in town are on account of them. The problem is that most of them rely on their peripheral vision or ears when crossing the road and don't actually look. So if they don't actually hear something coming they'll walk right out in front of you.

NeilMcEoigheann wrote: »

secondly what is correct cycling etiquette when approaching pedestrian crossings where you have green but there are sometimes literally crowds of people crossing?

A green light means proceed only if it's safe to do so, so the courier schtick of just ploughing through a pedestrian crossing in the expectation that people will jump out of the way isn't the way to go. I'd usually shout to warn people and stop if there's just too many people out on the road.

NeilMcEoigheann

A green light means proceed only if it's safe to do so, so the courier schtick of just ploughing through a pedestrian crossing in the expectation that people will jump out of the way isn't the way to go. I'd usually shout to warn people and stop if there's just too many people out on the road.[/quote]
i'm all about shouting CYCLIST!!! just before impact.

cosman9373

I take it back, proceed with caution.............. unless on winter hack!!!

biomed32

peds breaking red lights is nothing new, happens all the time and is annoying as hell, as you usually end up swerving or braking suddenly to avoid them. they usually hollar abuse at you about cyclists this and that and walk off...:D

NewDubliner

NeilMcEoigheann wrote: »

secondly what is correct cycling etiquette when approaching pedestrian crossings where you have green but there are sometimes literally crowds of people crossing?

Do it slowly at near-walking pace. Be ready to stop/avoid. If you did actually run into a pedestrian, you'd have to prove you were taking reasonable care.

BostonB

NeilMcEoigheann wrote: »

....since i am back to commuting in and out of town i am noticing more and more pedestrians braking red lights, ...

Its always been like this. You're just more aware of it now.

NeilMcEoigheann

BostonB wrote: »

Its always been like this. You're just more aware of it now.

I know, it was more a way of expressing my annoyance at todays traffic and pedestrian related tomfoolerey i am none to happy with those taxi drivers....

Canis Lupus

What annoys me is these pedestrians are more than likely the same people to whinge about cyclists breaking the rules....

When I'm off my bike walking I'm damn observant regarding crossing roads. My least favourite is travelling up one way streets with stopped traffic, particularly passing buses. People just pop out of nowhere thinking that because the cars are stopped there won't be anything else moving. Drives me insane.

Jip

NeilMcEoigheann wrote: »

secondly what is correct cycling etiquette when approaching pedestrian crossings where you have green but there are sometimes literally crowds of people crossing?

A fairly loud shout while standing up on the pedals usually does it to me, especially for the dopey suits on phones who assume because others are walking it's safe to do so without actually looking for themselves.

Rob_l

Breaking red lights is not a cyclist thing its not even a cyclist and pedestrian thing, because every type of road users has some elements guilty of it. How many times have we all seen motorists watch the a car\motorbike preceding their vehicle go through an amber light and then as it turns red they continue to follow the vehicle some times this can be instantaneous sometime a few seconds delay after the the light has changed to red.

This Idea that its only cyclists is just because its a minority group and easier to blame them but in fact every sector of road user has some element guilty of it.


Still though I think pedestrians are the worst, sometimes the look striaght at you and still step straight out having failed to register you.

crazydingo

NeilMcEoigheann wrote: »

secondly what is correct cycling etiquette when approaching pedestrian crossings where you have green but there are sometimes literally crowds of people crossing?

I generally slow down a bit (my conscience wouldn't allow me to keep going at the speed I'd generally be travelling at in case some knob walked in front of me), but I'll continue on and weave through them. If it is far too crowded I'll roar "MOVE!" at them. Works to an extent and I love hearing the odd shocked exclaimation from a woman or two

cdaly_

"GANGWAY!!!"

theshiels

i cycle up o'connell street, capel street, dame street and so on a fair bit as part of my commute. i'd love to say it's unbelieveable how many people have no regard for cyclists, but unfortunately, i firmly believe most people are thick so it comes as no shock at all.

O'Connell is usually the worst though. I find the following have worked well

"I'M NOT STOPPING!" pretty much parted the red sea.
"that's not very smart" both humiliates and informs.
the usual bellow or CYCLIST! have worked too, but giving them a little shock works wonders. We have to be so aware in the city and anyone who's had close calls with taxis and buses (let's be fair, we're a game to them) knows you have to be aggressive. Pedestrians are cattle. They just don't think.

DualFrontDiscs

theshiels wrote: »

Most road users are cattle. They just don't think.

FYP.
DFD.

Canis Lupus

theshiels wrote: »

"I'M NOT STOPPING!"

Dude recently in the news shouted that before hitting and I think killing a pedestrian when she whacked her head.

Doubt that line helped him much in court

tomasrojo

Canis Lupus wrote: »

Dude recently in the news shouted that before hitting and I think killing a pedestrian when she whacked her head.

Doubt that line helped him much in court

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/2263354/Cyclist-knocked-down-and-killed-teenage-girl-court-hears.html

I think it's this case you're referring to.

abcdggs

It sounds from that like he was cycling on the path...

tomasrojo

It was never clear to me whether he was on the footpath. I think it was claimed he mounted the pavement after the collision.

Wez

Wolf whistle works..

mmclo

well done to a cyclist on the quays (near where they're building the new bridge) last Fri. I was walking by and heard somebody shout "watch out" and breaks screamed. He effectively warned two peds about an approaching car they hadn't seen

theshiels

DualFrontDiscs wrote: »

FYP.
DFD.

not quite mate. not quite. they don't think. music players and phones, general ignorance. they walk out without thinking, people in dublin do not wait for traffic signals. it's dangerous and stupid, while we all might be guilty of it at times, cyclists have to be spacially aware. pedestrians (for the most) part seem to overlook that.

drdeadlift

o'connell street has to be the worst place for people j-walking,i always stop at the red light but the gaurds dont give a ****e if people walk out on front of you when the lights are in your favour,people just look at you like they are bloody zombies.

hmmm

NeilMcEoigheann wrote: »

i'm all about shouting CYCLIST!!! just before impact.

I recently saw a cyclist shouting "CYCLIST!" at a bunch of people crossing the road outside a primary school recently and then proceeding to pass at speed, despite children milling about outside the school. Cyclists, no more than motorists, should be alert and prepared to stop in an emergency - he could have killed a child just as easily as a car would have if one had run out in front of him.

NeilMcEoigheann

To be fair i said the bit about shouting cyclist just before impact with tongue in cheek. and speeding near school children is just stupid.
however shouting cyclist as you pass is a very good idea, it lets everybody know that you are coming especially as a bike is practically silent.
but now were getting on to cyclists being dangerous which isn't where this is going.