General Cycling Discussion - But Seriously Folks...

"...they step into the bike lane from between two parked cars and they look in my direction, but my big, bright bike, my big, bright light and my big, bright jacket have become transparent."
-- This is a continuation of EnigManic's "The Invisible Cyclist".

Does anyone else notice that PEDISTRIANS do not seem to consider bicycles as road vehicles? I have noticed a few times that they will step into the road looking PAST ME at the motor traffic. Maybe they assume the bike will just "go around" them as sidewalk cyclists do.
I ring the bell alot when there are peds around.

What are your experiences and solutions to wandering pedestrians?
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I haven't noticed that too much when I ride. It did happen once but I slowed down and said "excuse me" and they moved back and let me pass.

Of course there aren't very many pedestrians around here, most people drive places. Heck, I'v seen people drive 30ft to their mailboxes, why walk anywhere?

My town is similar to that - everyone drives places. There's even less walking traffic than bike traffic, and almost all peds I've come accross stop walking, and get way to the side to let me go past. Maybe I look like an un-skilled rider? :S

I ride my bike 30 feet to the mailbox... (just for an excuse to go 15 or 20 minutes)...

Yeah. I see pedestrians all the time jumping in front of me. Usually, I say something nasty to them along the lines of "way to go, idiot, for jumping in my path. Maybe next time, I'll hit ya!".

Koffee

I ride my bike 30 feet to the mailbox... (just for an excuse to go 15 or 20 minutes)...

It takes you 15-20 minutes to ride 30 feet? Well, 60 feet I guess, for the round trip.

Yeah. I see pedestrians all the time jumping in front of me. Usually, I say something nasty to them along the lines of "way to go, idiot, for jumping in my path. Maybe next time, I'll hit ya!".

Koffee

Wow you must be moving mighty slow to complete that whole sentence ;) :D

I don't really see this problem here. But then again I avoid roads. But really on most roads here there is a bike path and everyone here is bike friendly so I still don't believe it would be a problem :)

Well, I have to slow down for the idiots so I can avoid them. That gives me plenty of time to start yelling my insults and get it ALL in. ;)

Koffee