Advocacy & Safety - Buzzing Pedestrians

What are peoples opinions on 'buzzing' pedestrians?

I ride in the city a lot, and every now and then I'll come across a pedestrian who is crossing the road diagonally, in my path, and with their back to me as I'm riding along my merry way. They will, of course, be totally oblivious to my presence (or that of any other traffic) as well. In this situation I will sometimes accelerate and swerve around their backs, then cut back in to my original line as tight as I can manage. I have brushed against peoples bags and flapping jackets when doing this,so that's how close I'm talking. And I'm also talking fast.

I'm guessing that this scares the crap out of most people who are stupid enough to put themselves in this position, and perhaps it might make them a little more cautious the next time they decide to cross the road (or, heaven forbid, open a car door). Perhaps it's not the most socially or morally conscientious manoeuvre, but it is a guilty little pleasure of mine sometimes when the opportunity presents itself.

I'd love to hear any other forms of cyclist retribution too.

What are peoples opinions on 'buzzing' cyclists?

I drive in the city a lot, and every now and then I'll come across a cyclist who is crossing the road diagonally, in my path, and with their back to me as I'm driving along my merry way. They will, of course, be totally oblivious to my presence (or that of any other traffic) as well. In this situation I will sometimes accelerate and swerve around their backs, then cut back in to my original line as tight as I can manage. I have brushed against cyclists bags and flapping jackets when doing this,so that's how close I'm talking. And I'm also talking fast.

I'm guessing that this scares the crap out of most cyclists who are stupid enough to put themselves in this position, and perhaps it might make them a little more cautious the next time they decide to cross the road (or, heaven forbid, ride in the driving lane). Perhaps it's not the most socially or morally conscientious manoeuvre, but it is a guilty little pleasure of mine sometimes when the opportunity presents itself.

I'd love to hear any other forms of motorists retribution too.

In Oregon, you get a $242 ticket for not giving a ped 6 feet of space while you're turning into a marked or unmarked crosswalk. I'm sure the cops in downtown Portland will find some other reason to write you a traffic ticket if they catch you riding dangerously close to a ped in other circumstances, as they love to find reasons to write cyclists tickets here.

If you're made of money and are that big of a jerk, I guess you might as well go for it. We've got to make up these revenue shortfalls somehow, I imagine, and it seems you're just the person to help the government out with that.

/me thinks the OP is trolling for a bite

I guess the thing you need to think about is what happens if you misjudge and hook the bag or jacket and go down taking the unsuspecting pedestrian with you.

/me thinks the OP is trolling for a bite

You're right, of course, but I've got way too much PMS going on to ignore it. So it goes...

My opinion of cyclists that buzz pedestrians is the same as my opinion of motorists who buzz cyclists.

/me thinks the OP is trolling for a bite
Maybe, but his only other post (http://www.bikeforums.net/showpost.php?p=3766118&postcount=31) is not a troll post, so I'll give him the benefit of the doubt.

Buzzing pedestrians is dangerous. If they step the wrong way (or strike back), you could find yourself with a broken collarbone. It may be tempting, but it's still stupid.

So, what would be your point in buzzing a pedestrian, and, why are you riding at such great speed if pedestrian or other combinations of traffic are so congested that you cannot allow more space to go around the pedestrian (on either side).

I agree with other responses that you are taking a dangerous risk - the pedestrian might stop unexpectedly, or drop one of those packages in your path - whatever.

I always find it annoying that auto drivers forget that the other option to speeding up to get around me is to slow down until they can pass safely. I approach pedestrians that I need to pass in the same manner. In short, I don't think highly of the maneuver you describe.

Caruso

So, he behaves like a dickhead and probably complains about drivers behaving like dickheads. Guess it takes all kinds to stuff up a world.

Richard

Do unto others...

Hopefully, one day the pedestrian will see you coming but won't let on until he/she throws his/her very large backpack/shoulder bag or other similar accoutrement under your front tire so as to watch you slide down the asphalt on your face. Then, walk up to you calmly and urinate upon your prone body.

What are peoples opinions on 'buzzing' cyclists?

I drive in the city a lot, and every now and then I'll come across a cyclist who is crossing the road diagonally, in my path, and with their back to me as I'm driving along my merry way. They will, of course, be totally oblivious to my presence (or that of any other traffic) as well. In this situation I will sometimes accelerate and swerve around their backs, then cut back in to my original line as tight as I can manage. I have brushed against cyclists bags and flapping jackets when doing this,so that's how close I'm talking. And I'm also talking fast.

I'm guessing that this scares the crap out of most cyclists who are stupid enough to put themselves in this position, and perhaps it might make them a little more cautious the next time they decide to cross the road (or, heaven forbid, ride in the driving lane). Perhaps it's not the most socially or morally conscientious manoeuvre, but it is a guilty little pleasure of mine sometimes when the opportunity presents itself.

I'd love to hear any other forms of motorists retribution too.


A good and fair call, Crosseyed, but if a cyclist is that oblivious to traffic then he will quickly learn to be more aware his surroundings. In that situation it might not only be a car unintentionally 'buzzing' him to teach the lesson.

Will the pedestrian even think twice about the encounter if I give him a comfortable, wide berth? Will it have any impact at all if I casually cruise around this idiot who could potentially be endangering my life by ignoring the existence of any traffic behind his back? Perhaps I could say "Watch the road, Sir!" as I glide by. Or perhaps the realisation that I could have been a heavy vehicle mashing him into the tarmac will make him more cautious next time. Perhaps he'll come out of the encounter with a greater hatred towards cyclists. I don't know.

What are peoples opinions on 'buzzing' pedestrians?

I have brushed against peoples bags and flapping jackets when doing this,so that's how close I'm talking. And I'm also talking fast.

I'd love to hear any other forms of cyclist retribution too.
How about the time a pedestrian stiff-armed me and knocked me off my bike, sending me to the ER?

Believe me, it happened fast.

Plus I've had runners body-block me as I was walking. Really ticked me orf.

Chud is the new DigitalQuirk: http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=205637

I know it's wrong, but it feels so right. *evil grin*

I would only ever do this to anyone who crossed past the center of the road without checking for traffic, or if it's a one way street, well... you should look towards the direction that traffic might come from before you step onto the road, right?

This is not a practice that I make a habbit of.

People walk out in front of me all the time in parking lots. Peds are used to listening for motorized traffic and often make the (wrong) assumption that if they don't hear anything that nothing is there. It's an annoying but not unreasonable thing to do. As long as they aren't causing you to crash, why do you care? Just go around them. Your response is similar to motorists who won't change lanes to pass a cyclist on a 4 lane road and instead honk simply because they don't think the cyclist should be there.

Peds in my area that assert their legal rights with little regard to their personal safety, usually end up as orange paint marks on the roadway left by the law enforcement investigation unit. It runs in cycles around here, people slowly forget and start returning to their poor crossing habits until there's another rash of ped fatalities. I just go around peds at a safe distance or just stop for them, since one of the reasons I bicycle is to save money, I do not want to get a ticket or have a lawsuit pending against me.

In a parking lot I couldn't care less. I'd swerve around them and wouldn't say a word, just like I'd swerve around the constant stream of cars doing questionable and 'bike unfriendly' stuff in the city every day.

Maybe I'm out to start a new crusade. Cars vs. Bikes is the old one. Bikes vs. Pedestrians is my calling!

Seriously though, I would never buzz a pedestrian who wasn't being a total ******** idiot.

I'm guessing the OP never got a cycling merit badge! :p

Pedestrians have the right of way at all times. Your buzzing them to "teach them a lesson" only reveals your own ignorance of the law.

And even if you give a pedestrian what seems like ample space when passing beware of the chance they might stick an arm out. An arm is half the height of the body so a 6' man needs 3 feet passing clearance minimum.

Also don't assume they are not aware of you, yes peds often don't see cyclists due to lack of noise clue to look, but even a quick glance or peripheral vision may pick up cyclist - but either they don't see it as a danger (narrow easy to manever vehicle which doesn't go that fast) or see but don't process.

I see similarities to when a cyclist is riding centerish in a narrow lane, or is merging across several lanes of traffic. I as a cyclist am very aware of surrounding traffic, but without communication back to other drivers, they may not think I am aware of them - this can lead to honking, buzzing, etc.

Al

What are peoples opinions on 'buzzing' pedestrians?

I ride in the city a lot, and every now and then I'll come across a pedestrian who is crossing the road diagonally, in my path, and with their back to me as I'm riding along my merry way. They will, of course, be totally oblivious to my presence (or that of any other traffic) as well. In this situation I will sometimes accelerate and swerve around their backs, then cut back in to my original line as tight as I can manage. I have brushed against peoples bags and flapping jackets when doing this,so that's how close I'm talking. And I'm also talking fast.

I'm guessing that this scares the crap out of most people who are stupid enough to put themselves in this position, and perhaps it might make them a little more cautious the next time they decide to cross the road (or, heaven forbid, open a car door). Perhaps it's not the most socially or morally conscientious manoeuvre, but it is a guilty little pleasure of mine sometimes when the opportunity presents itself.

I'd love to hear any other forms of cyclist retribution too.

This is one of the reasons you are supposed to have a bell or gong on your bike, and yelling "Excuse me", doesn't hurt either, nor does gearing down and slowing up a little. Often peds walking without looking are on one of those #@$!&*^ cell phones, and just not paying attention.

One thing I have noticed, that never used to happen is, your backing (your car) out of a parking space, and people walk around behind you, because they don't want to be slowed down the 5 seconds that it takes for you to get out of their way, heck I have seen them pick up speed to go around behind a car backing up. Of course it's your fault if you hit one.

I have a room mate who does the same thing as the OP, but his favorite is to do it at 1-2am on friday and saturday when the bars are emptying out. He's a freaking idiot. He's going to hit some poor drunk girl some day and get his head kicked in by her drunk boyfriend, and he would totally deserve it. He aims to make contact with them even if they are just standing on the side of the road. He essentially dive bombs drunk people at night (even in winter). I don't ever ride with him now if I can avoid it.

I'm just waiting until he crashes himself really badly because thats the only way he will learn (He never believes anything anyone else tells him)

Pedestrians have the right of way at all times. Your buzzing them to "teach them a lesson" only reveals your own ignorance of the law.

Pfft. As soon as I jump on my bike I am cruising the streets of limbo. I am neither pedestrian or motorist.

What are peoples opinions on 'buzzing' pedestrians?

I ride in the city a lot, and every now and then I'll come across a pedestrian who is crossing the road diagonally, in my path, and with their back to me as I'm riding along my merry way. They will, of course, be totally oblivious to my presence (or that of any other traffic) as well. In this situation I will sometimes accelerate and swerve around their backs, then cut back in to my original line as tight as I can manage. I have brushed against peoples bags and flapping jackets when doing this,so that's how close I'm talking. And I'm also talking fast.

I'm guessing that this scares the crap out of most people who are stupid enough to put themselves in this position, and perhaps it might make them a little more cautious the next time they decide to cross the road (or, heaven forbid, open a car door). Perhaps it's not the most socially or morally conscientious manoeuvre, but it is a guilty little pleasure of mine sometimes when the opportunity presents itself.

I'd love to hear any other forms of cyclist retribution too.

I say do not buzz peds. if you can help it. If you're in an area where you know peds. are then slow down a little or use some sort of signalling device. There are dozens of them available, from horns to whistles & bells. Just be sure you sound it ahead of time that it does not startle the peds. You may get away with buzzing a ped. & it seems you enjoy doing it, 9 out of 10 times, it is the 10th time that you will regret. You'll crash into the ped. he or she will be hurt & you'll be sued. Or the peds. will complain to the fuzz about it & they will step up their presence in that area & if you're caught you're busted. This could cause problems for other brothers & sisters on 2 wheels.

chud is a pretty pathetic example of a cyclist. pedestrians have the right of way, dude. why don't you get a bell, immature one?

Stop being a spud, chud. your flippant 'evil grin' comment tells all. hope you never start driving or you'll be doing the same to us riders.

pathetic.

chud is a pretty pathetic example of a cyclist. pedestrians have the right of way, dude. Stop being a spud, chud. your flippant 'evil grin' comment tells all, you are immature road user. hope you never start driving or you'll be doing the same to us riders.......

pathetic.
Well said.

Want to add that even if a ped is being 'stupid' - treat them with respect anyway. It can only help improve relations between all road users - this pedestrian may be crossing the street to get to their car - how will having just been buzzed by a cyclist affect their treatment of the next cyclist they need to pass while in their car?

Al

In a parking lot I couldn't care less. I'd swerve around them and wouldn't say a word, just like I'd swerve around the constant stream of cars doing questionable and 'bike unfriendly' stuff in the city every day.

Maybe I'm out to start a new crusade. Cars vs. Bikes is the old one. Bikes vs. Pedestrians is my calling!

Seriously though, I would never buzz a pedestrian who wasn't being a total ******** idiot.

From your postings on this some of us here & the peds. may think you're the ****ing idiot. It is cyclists like you who give the rest of us a bad name. The ped. you buzz is also probably a motorist. The next time they see a cyclist while they are driving they will remember what you did & do the same in turn, even if the cyclist is not doing anything wrong. When this happens I only hope you're the cyclist they buzz instead of someone who rides like they are supposed to & not buzz peds.

Nah, I wouldn't do it (buzz 'em.) I have a hard enough time just not scaring the jeepers out of them when I'm on the road and they're on the sidewalk.

Ever shifted gears (click-click) coming up behind a ped? Some of them look around at you like you're about to shoot them.

chud is a pretty pathetic example of a cyclist. pedestrians have the right of way, dude. why don't you get a bell, immature one?

Stop being a spud, chud. your flippant 'evil grin' comment tells all. hope you never start driving or you'll be doing the same to us riders.

pathetic.

Meh. I pay every courtesy to cyclists when I'm driving. I can usually tell a competent rider when I see one and I also know when to give room to a sketchy one. I don't see what that has to do with idiots who are walking with their backs to the traffic in the city.

What are peoples opinions on 'buzzing' pedestrians?

I'd love to hear any other forms of cyclist retribution too.

You might try paintball, spit, bottle, shout loud as you pass etc... basically same stuff ahole drivers do to peds locally. Some ****** bag teen in a car was shooting paintball at peds, I think it was targetted mostly to drunks/homeless but then again most people do not walk in winter here so it might be coincindental.

Seriously buzzing could be dangerous to your health unlike a car, I would recommend throwing something at them bottle, spit etc.. or yelling at them really loud to scare them as you pass safely.

The only peds I have ever buzzed have stepped out very close in front of me. Which I guess would technically make them a near miss not being buzzed, atleast not on purpose.

I had a jogger drop of the sidewalk into the bike line within 3' of me. We looked kinda silly for a minute while I was trying to stop and my front tire was between his legs with him running bow-legged over my tire. He looked and stepped of the sidewalk at the same time so he knew I was there but had already started the motion and couldn't stop himself. He apologized profusely, I told him I was just happy we didn't both hit the pavement.

Nah, I wouldn't do it (buzz 'em.) I have a hard enough time just not scaring the jeepers out of them when I'm on the road and they're on the sidewalk.

Ever shifted gears (click-click) coming up behind a ped? Some of them look around at you like you're about to shoot them.

My problem is that my commuter bike is a fixed gear and is totally silent. If I don't make some kind of noise, or just avoid them by a wide margin, they get so surprised when I go past them. I usually just let peds go on their merry way, but if one is about to step into the road I try to make eye contact so that they wait until I go by. Every now and then they will just step out in front of me, but I'm usually prepared and have slowed down a bit so that I can yell "WATCH IT!!!" and avoid them. Sometimes I come a little close but it is only in the situations where the ped steps out in to the road suddenly. Clueless jaywalking peds that are already in the middle of the road are pretty easy to avoid with a wide berth but if it looks like they might do something unexpected and it is on a dangerous bit of road a loud "WATCH IT!" is usually enough fright for them to rethink their actions. I usually get a "sorry!!!" or a "F**K OFF!" as I'm going past, but its better that they know I am there before I reach them.

I also have an electronic horn and a bell on my commuter bike, but I don't find either of these effective for pedestrians. I use the horn on cars to alert them I am there, I use the bell on other bikes to indicate I am about to pass, but both piss off the peds. Sometimes I will ding the bell if I am coming up behind a ped walking down the middle of the road like I would when I am about to pass another bike, but they usually get hostile and pissy. I dunno if they just want me to pass them without warning or what. I suppose its the same feeling I get when a car toots its horn behind me and then passes, but I already know a car is there before it honks because they are so noisy; when I am on my commuter bike I'm like a ninja.

On my geared bike I have chris king hubs that are SO noisy when coasting it sounds like a swarm of bees. That and I can make the front brake squeal, so if I am approaching a ped or other bike from behind I just coast a bit and pedal backwards and maybe tap the brake and they know I am there.

Nah, I wouldn't do it (buzz 'em.) I have a hard enough time just not scaring the jeepers out of them when I'm on the road and they're on the sidewalk.

Ever shifted gears (click-click) coming up behind a ped? Some of them look around at you like you're about to shoot them.

LoL LBM. I think stealth is definitely the best approach sometimes.

Another thing you might try is blowing snot in the peds direction as you pass, nasty stuff and you could make it look innocent or you can send a message by looking directly at them as you press and blow.

A good time to refresh on pedestrian rights/rules (in Arizona, check your local laws/ordinances, although these are fairly standard across the US)

"28-791. Pedestrians subject to traffic rules
B. A local authority may require by ordinance that pedestrians strictly comply with the directions of an official traffic control signal and may prohibit by ordinance pedestrians from crossing a roadway in a business district or crossing a designated highway except in a crosswalk."
(This means that mid block crossing where there is no marked or unmarked crosswalk may be illegal if a city ordinance says so, this is often done is dense urban areas - business districts)

"28-792. Right-of-way at crosswalk
A. Except as provided in section 28-793, subsection B, if traffic control signals are not in place or are not in operation, the driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way, slowing down or stopping if need be in order to yield, to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within a crosswalk when the pedestrian is on the half of the roadway on which the vehicle is traveling or when the pedestrian is approaching so closely from the opposite half of the roadway as to be in danger. A pedestrian shall not suddenly leave any curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle that is so close that it is impossible for the driver to yield.
B. If a vehicle is stopped at a marked crosswalk or at an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection to permit a pedestrian to cross the roadway, the driver of another vehicle approaching from the rear shall not overtake and pass the stopped vehicle."

"28-793. Crossing at other than crosswalk
A. A pedestrian crossing a roadway at any point other than within a marked crosswalk or within an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles on the roadway.
B. A pedestrian crossing a roadway at a point where a pedestrian tunnel or overhead pedestrian crossing has been provided shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles on the roadway.
C. Between adjacent intersections at which traffic control signals are in operation, pedestrians shall not cross at any place except in a marked crosswalk. "
((C) means that a ped can not legally cross between two directly adjacent signaled controlled intesections, but if between those two signal controlled intersections there is any nonsignal intersection, the ped can cross the street anywhere per A&B if not prohibted by local ordinance)

28-794. Drivers to exercise due care
Notwithstanding the provisions of this chapter every driver of a vehicle shall:
1. Exercise due care to avoid colliding with any pedestrian on any roadway.
2. Give warning by sounding the horn when necessary.
3. Exercise proper precaution on observing a child or a confused or incapacitated person on a roadway."

28-794 is key in this discussion. It means one can not buzz a pedestrian even if they are not following the law. It also means buzzing drunk peds on Sat. night is illegal.

Al

Pedestrians have the right of way at all times. Your buzzing them to "teach them a lesson" only reveals your own ignorance of the law.Do you have a reference on this? I'm pretty sure the CA laws are a bit pedestrian unfriendly. People crossing midstreet may have less rights than you would suspect unless they're in an "unmarked crosswalk". Gotta love that term "unmarked crosswalk". I'm sure crossing diagonally (as in the OP) is always considered jay-walking.

In the OP, the pedestrian was facing away from the cyclist. So he may have checked before crossing and assumed he'd hear a car coming. He's careless, but not deserving of harassment.

My thing is pedestrians who see you coming down the road and step right out as if you weren't there.

Pfft. As soon as I jump on my bike I am cruising the streets of limbo. I am neither pedestrian or motorist.

I think this statement may be the root of your issue. As soon as you jump on your bike, you are the driver of a vehicle just like anyone who plops down in the seat of their car. You have to follow all the laws and accept all the responsibilities as the driver of a vehicle. Read up on your own states laws for drivers of vehicles and see if they allow buzzing of peds who you deem idiots. Something tells me your laws do not provide for that, but I've been wrong before ;)

What are peoples opinions on 'buzzing' pedestrians?

Don't

In a parking lot I couldn't care less. I'd swerve around them and wouldn't say a word, just like I'd swerve around the constant stream of cars doing questionable and 'bike unfriendly' stuff in the city every day.

Maybe I'm out to start a new crusade. Cars vs. Bikes is the old one. Bikes vs. Pedestrians is my calling!

Seriously though, I would never buzz a pedestrian who wasn't being a total ******** idiot.

Well here's how I figure it...if I saw some cyclist buzz a ped, I'd figure he was a total freakin idiot and deserving of me buzzing him with my truck, probably opening my door, knocking him off his bike, then putting him over my knee and spanking him in the middle of the street, preferably in view of the ped he just buzzed, not to mention the public in general. :rolleyes:

Don't be an idiot just cuz someone else is.

Another thing you might try is blowing snot in the peds direction as you pass, nasty stuff and you could make it look innocent or you can send a message by looking directly at them as you press and blow.

BAHAHAAH! Oh dear. That's some funny *****, but I'd much rather hear about retribution towards drivers rather than peds (though I'm sure that blowing snot through a car window could work well).

I also apologise for the pretentious 'limbo' comment that I made.

Well here's how I figure it...if I saw some cyclist buzz a ped, I'd figure he was a total freakin idiot and deserving of me buzzing him with my truck, probably opening my door, knocking him off his bike, then putting him over my knee and spanking him in the middle of the street, preferably in view of the ped he just buzzed, not to mention the public in general. :rolleyes:

Don't be an idiot just cuz someone else is.

As if you could catch me in a truck :-)

As if you could catch me in a truck :-)

I'm your huckleberry.

Hopefully, one day the pedestrian will see you coming but won't let on until he/she throws his/her very large backpack/shoulder bag or other similar accoutrement under your front tire so as to watch you slide down the asphalt on your face. Then, walk up to you calmly and urinate upon your prone body.

I would advise against doing this. You can get in big trouble for public urination.

I would advise against doing this. You can get in big trouble for public urination.

:beer: :roflmao:

I was just reading this book. It is called The sociopath next door. Facinating book.

Word on the street is that I'm a sociopath.. If that is the case, I don't even want to know what the rest of the crazy world is considered.

Every ride I have in philly consist of people waiting for buses and walking into the street to see if the bus is there yet. I've come close to hitting some of these people. My real pet peeve is that they look like they are going to cross the street just to stop halfway and turn around. Sometimes people just wait in the street for the bus. They are really annoying and sometimes I dream of driving in my truck and having the passenger smack them. Hopefully knocking them down to their demise. Pedestrians need to stay on the sidewalk or in the crosswalk when they have the light or else they are all peDEADstrians to me. None the less I rather not fall off my bike to scare one. It has nothing to do with the law, i just don't want to fall and waste my time. Probably best thing to do is slow down and tell them to pay attention to bike traffic or get ran over.

Running into peds hurts.

A LOT