Funny story I meant to post last week, but the board didn't take it...so I just got around to retyping it.

A few months ago I had a pedestrian that works in the same building as me get irate when I "scared him by flying by, and then almost ran him over" What actually happened is I rode past him at a mediem speed (I'ld guess 8 mph tops) on his right with 5-6 feet between us, and then 20 feet (or more) after I passed him I made a left turn and pulled up to my building. This is in a "pedestrian walkway" area, and he took exception to me riding past him. As soon as he said something I replied "I'm sorry, did I startle you when I rode past?" (I normally don't tell people on MUP's or otherwise) that I'm coming up on their left or right unless I have no room to get by because they NEVER know what to do around here. They (9 out of 10 times) will turn around to look, and THEN step INTO my path. It's better to just ride by them.

Anyway, despite my trying to apologize for startling him, etc, he ranted and raved and said he was going to make a complaint and get the pedestrian walkway closed to bike riders. "because we were dangerous" I finally just said "well maybe that would be best" and walked away.

The company I work for has a large campus so this was on their property, and they are very fond of "safety" but I just shrugged it off as being a cranky old dude who was all riled up. I told my co-workers and some cycling buddies and we had a good laugh…well...last Tuesday one of my co-workers comes in and says "hey did you see your sign?" I say "what?" and he says I need to go over and check out the construction sign they put up in this one are. So when I get time I go check it out, and low and behold, they have a FREAKING 4X8 FOOT SIGN that's lighted and flashing and warns "bikers" to be careful of pedestrians.

I guess he didn't get bikers banned, but did get a GIANT sign to warn us to be careful! I think it's more likely to cause an accident than prevent one…but WHATEVER!