Cyclists on the footpath

21-10-2009 12:37PM #1

This morning I was walking along the Dublin Road here in Limerick. Suddenly a cyclist passed me from behind to my right. Now previously I have been hit by a cyclist coming from behind me near the same spot. This morning I lost my temper and said "F**ks sake!" whereupon the cyclist looked back at me. When I saw this I shouted "Get off the footpath".

So he cycles a bit ahead, gets to a junction and gets off his bike and waits for me. "What the **** has it got to do with you, you c**t?" he says to me threateningly. "I can't get down because of the traffic". Fearing for my safety I just kept on walking and saying "you shouldn't be on the footpath".

When he asked me what has it got to do with me I should have said that because he came up behind me without warning if I had sidestepped at all I would have gotten a bike up the ar*e. Now I must emphasise that he wasn't speeding but surely if the traffic is a concern to these cyclists they shouldn't be on a bike at all?

His defence seemed to rely on three things: a) that I was a c**t b) That it had nothing to do with me and c) that the traffic was somehow too dangerous. Now he might be right with a) but as regards b) surely as a pedestrian on a footpath I might be entitled to get irked at cyclists on there? With respect to c) the traffic wasn't moving that fast. IIRC it was heavy and there wasn't much movement.

Is there anything that can be done about these guys?

AnonoBoy · 21-10-2009 12:40PM

Deleted User wrote: »

Is there anything that can be done about these guys?

If you're carrying an umbrella stick it through their spokes as they go by.

I do that to couriers on the footpath all the time.

The guys over in the motors forum gave me a medal for it last year.

kavoweb · 21-10-2009 12:41PM

Bear with me here for a moment............

AAAAAAARRRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHHH

I HATE CYCLISTS!!!!!*

*sorry i am of no help op.

mathie · 21-10-2009 12:45PM

Deleted User wrote: »

Is there anything that can be done about these guys?

You sexist c**t!

topper75 · 21-10-2009 12:47PM

You want us to tell you that you were right?

Yes. I am a keen cyclist but must conceed that you are right. He shouldn't have been on the path.

brianthebard · 21-10-2009 12:49PM

Limerick forum tbh.

seamus · 21-10-2009 12:52PM

I tend to not give them enough room and force them to stop or dismount.

rainbowdrop · 21-10-2009 12:53PM

I'v said it before, but I'l say it again...... Wouldn't a cycling forum be a marvellous idea?

AnonoBoy · 21-10-2009 12:54PM

seamus wrote: »

I tend to not give them enough room and force them to stop or dismount.

In reality that's what I do as well. I've had a few barneys with cycle couriers over the years though. Had one pr*ck run over my foot and then have the audacity to ask me what my problem was when I challenged him*.

*told him he was a fucking dickhead

Gone Drinking · 21-10-2009 12:59PM

My girlfriend walked out of a Cafe one day onto a footpath and was cleaned out of it by a cyclist on the path. She bruised her back abit, he went flying also. He got up and once he seen her standing cycled off..

She'd be more embarrassed than anything and would rather move on than stand around complaining.

Not condoning violence or anything, but had i been there when that happened, i'd have flipped the lid..

Prof.Badass · 21-10-2009 01:03PM

I don't cycle, but if i did i'd cycle on the foothpath if the weren't many people on it. The way i see it;

How often do you hear about pedestrians being killed by cyclists?

vs

How often do you hear about cyclists being killed by motorists?

Cookie_Monster · 21-10-2009 01:06PM

tis illegal to cycle on the footpath and they should all die

Euro_Kraut · 21-10-2009 01:07PM

rainbowdrop wrote: »

I'v said it before, but I'l say it again...... Wouldn't a cycling forum be a marvellous idea?

Or a Ranting and Raving forum where people could vent their anger about specific issues.

Tippex · 21-10-2009 01:08PM

This morning crossing the road at pearse station in Dublin. Traffic lights go read green man comes on and pedestrians start to cross when an idiot booting along on this bike breaks the lights and only for a woman not being terribly fast on her feet he would have wiped her out totally.

I see this happen maybe once every two weeks at the same set of lights. Why do some cyclists think that red lights do not apply to them? there would have been around 20/25 people crossing the road at the time.

Cuddlesworth · 21-10-2009 01:10PM

I don't see you denying point 1.

thebiglad · 21-10-2009 01:10PM

AnonoBoy wrote: »

If you're carrying an umbrella stick it through their spokes as they go by.

I do that to couriers on the footpath all the time.

The guys over in the motors forum gave me a medal for it last year.

That would be assault!

Interesting none of the law abiding and gentile posters from our cycling forum have voiced an opinion on this.

God help any motorist who dares to enter a cycle lane, but apparently footpaths are ok because the black stuff between the kerbs is a scary place:P

Cuddlesworth · 21-10-2009 01:11PM

Tippex wrote: »

This morning crossing the road at pearse station in Dublin. Traffic lights go read green man comes on and pedestrians start to cross when an idiot booting along on this bike breaks the lights and only for a woman not being terribly fast on her feet he would have wiped her out totally.

I see this happen maybe once every two weeks at the same set of lights. Why do some cyclists think that red lights do not apply to them? there would have been around 20/25 people crossing the road at the time.

Years ago my mate who was quite into his rugby had a similar situation. Except he sent the cyclist flying. Was funny to watch.

concussion · 21-10-2009 01:15PM

thebiglad wrote: »

That would be assault!

Interesting none of the law abiding and gentile posters from our cycling forum have voiced an opinion on this.

God help any motorist who dares to enter a cycle lane, but apparently footpaths are ok because the black stuff between the kerbs is a scary place:P

Two have left posts and I thanked one of them. However, they may be Jewish in which case they are of no concern to you apparantly.

AckwelFoley · 21-10-2009 01:19PM

ive posted this before, but what about the cyclist i met 2 weeks ago cycling against the traffic on the fast lane on a motorway.

You dont need a licence to cycle a bike, but apparently its always the fault of lorrydrivers and motorists when thest fcuking idiots* get into an accident

*not all cyclists, but ive many miles travelled and have seen my fair share of douchebags doing wreckless things.

DirkVoodoo · 21-10-2009 01:21PM

I think most people over there would say cycling on the footpath is stupid and wrong, ok? People who cycle on footpaths are complete idiots, but where are the Gardai clamping down on it? It's about as dangerous as jaywalking and equally enforced.

Some great stereotypes floating about though.

Gran Hermano · 21-10-2009 01:23PM

Time for a law to ensure each cyclist has to wear a high-vis vest with a unique registration type number on it. Just like motorists have a reg plate
it's time cyclists were easily identified and accountable for their behaviour.
And while we're at it how about a law making helmets compulsory for them - just like safety belts for motorists.

blorg · 21-10-2009 01:25PM

It's illegal and dangerous to cycle on a footpath.

Unless this sign is put on the footpath:

Then it magically becomes perfectly safe.

bcirl03 · 21-10-2009 01:26PM

Umbrella all the way - works wonders and I love it even more when I get them right in the eye when the umbrella is up - fcuk them!

AnonoBoy · 21-10-2009 01:27PM

Gran Hermano wrote: »

Time for a law to ensure each cyclist has to wear a high-vis vest with a unique registration type number on it.

I think pedestrians should have them too. Or maybe some manner of ID code tattooed on their arm.

the groutch · 21-10-2009 01:35PM

I have had this issue with alot of schoolkids recently, have had to tell them off in as polite a way as possible

btw, not all cyclists are like this

21-10-2009 01:36PM

DirkVoodoo wrote: »

I think most people over there would say cycling on the footpath is stupid and wrong, ok? People who cycle on footpaths are complete idiots, but where are the Gardai clamping down on it? It's about as dangerous as jaywalking and equally enforced.

Some great stereotypes floating about though.

I actually passed him again a little later on, this time coming towards me. He wasn't on the road again but wasn't exactly on the path either (I don't know what the hell it's called...kind of a part for residents to park on). I thought he was going to cycle into me deliberately but didn't.

The poor thing wants to be on his little bike but doesn't like the road, it seems....and this time there were no cars at all around.

seamus · 21-10-2009 01:36PM

AnonoBoy wrote: »

I think pedestrians should have them too. Or maybe some manner of ID code tattooed on their arm.

Ideally one on the forehead and one on the neck so you can see it whether they're coming or going.

Diarmuid · 21-10-2009 01:38PM

Deleted User wrote: »

He wasn't on the road again but wasn't exactly on the path either (I don't know what the hell it's called...

bilocation

AnonoBoy · 21-10-2009 01:38PM

seamus wrote: »

Ideally one on the forehead and one on the neck so you can see it whether they're coming or going.

Indeed.

And if you misbehave we put you in a work camp with a big plaque above the entrance that says "Work will set you free!"

Nice idea. I can see it taking off.

Captain Havoc · 21-10-2009 01:40PM

thebiglad wrote: »

Interesting none of the law abiding and gentile posters from our cycling forum have voiced an opinion on this.

TBH a pedestrian on a bike doesn't really warrant a comment from a cyclist.

21-10-2009 01:43PM

Diarmuid wrote: »

bilocation

Cyclists on the footpath

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