Just goes to show that dickheads are dickheads whether on a bike or a car.

With a bit of luck karma struck and he ran over some broken glass and got 2 flats before he got to where he was going.

Sounds like two idiots coming head to head. Share the paths and don’t walk on both sides.

Here we go, brace yourselves for the waves of protest once the cyclists return from their morning ride.

I bought myself an ipod a few months ago to keep me amused whilst walking the dogs.
So there I was, walking along the ‘shared path’ in my own little world.
Next thing I knew 2 cyclists wizzed passed me and gave me a mouthful and “the bird”
At first I wasn’t sure what the problem was so I took my headphones off. The cyclists were a distance away by this time, but I could still hear them ringing the bell on their bikes.

Who was in the wrong? ME ME ME ME ME
It is my responsability to be aware of my surrounding as to not post a danger to others.
I now leave my ipod at home or walk to the side of the path.

If I read the terms correctly, the cyclist is the one who MUST GIVE WAY if there are 2 pedestrians walking towards each other.

Cyclists should be on the cycle paths and not on the road, but that is a whole new thread.

seeing as though you’re reminding everyone (even those that abide by laws), can I remind you specifically to keep to the left and keep your dog on a leash?

I’m sure you abide by the law most of the time, but 1% of the time doing wrong seems to be enough to cast a wide net over a whole community. therefore pedestrians are a menace to society and must be stopped, etc.

Postalgeek said :

Sounds like two idiots coming head to head. Share the paths and don’t walk on both sides.

I had removed both my son and myself from the path altogether, get your facts straight before you start hurling insults and grow up!

It’s time cyclists were registered and had plates so they can be reported. I’ve observed and experience abusive behaviour from several of them in the inner north in recent years. In some cases it’s probably the performance-enhancing drugs rife among the more serious competitors (reported to me by the wife of a local competitor) and possibly amateurs as well. A side-effect of those drugs is aggression.

My cycle path clearly has signs that state “Pedestrians must remain on one side of the path, to allow for cyclists to pass”, or words to that effect.

When I walk with my four year old, we walk in single file and not hog the entire path.

It’s like those idiots on escalators. They stand side-by-side. Go to Europe or anywhere in the US and you will see that people have the “stand to one side” routine down to a T.

If you stick to one side there shouldn’t be an issue.

josh said :

seeing as though you’re reminding everyone (even those that abide by laws), can I remind you specifically to keep to the left and keep your dog on a leash?

I’m sure you abide by the law most of the time, but 1% of the time doing wrong seems to be enough to cast a wide net over a whole community. therefore pedestrians are a menace to society and must be stopped, etc.

Even if I was in the wrong, which I was not, there was no call for this behaviour – this objectionable moron went out of his way to be threatening and abusive – It’s unforgivable behaviour, particularly in front of a small child.

The law clearly states that “Cyclists should give way to pedestrians and other users at all times”.

6693 said :

Even if I was in the wrong, which I was not, there was no call for this behaviour – this objectionable moron went out of his way to be threatening and abusive – It’s unforgivable behaviour, particularly in front of a small child.

The law clearly states that “Cyclists should give way to pedestrians and other users at all times”.

so what you’re saying is that jerks are jerks, no matter if they’re cyclists, motorists or pedestrians?

most people are good, some people are assholes. knowing and understanding that should get you a fair way in life..

Sounds like another reason why cyclists should be registered and have ‘plates’. Makes reporting dickheads like this cyclist so much easier.

I’m sure there is arguments as to why cyclists shouldn’t be registered, so come on..lets be havin ya !

cyclists learn how to use your bell and not yelling abuse!

@ ags “Cyclists should be on the cycle paths and not on the road, but that is a whole new thread.”

Agreed…
Why should cars have to give way at high speed to a bike and congest the road just because there is abit of green paint saying their piddly piece of alloy steel has right of way… thanks NANNY STATE!

Being abusive is absolutely wrong…….

But, I am confuzzed? One part of the ruling is:

‘Please respect all users and be prepared to give way to cyclists and pedestrians as necessary.’

And then this: ‘Cyclists should give way to pedestrians and other users at all times.’

Which one is it then? Or am I missing something?

I use the paths a bit but generally avoid them if I am in a hurry because of the ‘shared’ nature of the paths. I therefore am on the receiving end of a lot of abuse for not using the cycle paths……Recently got a big spray from a motorcyclist who had the sh*ts because I came to a stop at a red light at a cross intersection, the lights changed for me to go and he had to stop at the corresponding red light. Apparently I was supposed to go through the red, or go onto the footpath so that he did not have to use his precious brakes!

I agree – I was walking down the left side of the bike path in a similar location (Turner/O’Connor near Haig Park) when a cyclist clipped me when overtaking. There was plenty of room in the right hand lane so it was totally unnecessary to intimidate me by passing in that fashion. I’m wearing sneakers and carrying a large stick in that area from now on….if he tries it again I’ll catch him when he has to stop to cross the nearby busy street…

speaking of shared paths and dogs and leashes, don’t be on one side of the path with the dog off over the other side with the leash stretched across the entire path.

Try passing people while your riding a tricycle. Its a very difficult maneuver to try and avoid hinting anyone, especially when they stop to look at your contraption. I just ring my bell and say a polite hi and cycle on. Most if-not all pedestrians are polite and wave me on but I do get a fair abuse from two wheeled cyclist trying to pass a slower tricycle. Maybe we should have passing lanes on hilly stretches like they have on the highways. Bud then that would defeat the purpose. But then I could be wrong.

6693 said :

I had removed both my son and myself from the path altogether, get your facts straight before you start hurling insults and grow up!

Then include all the facts. What the hell do you expect if you’re going to arbitrarily leave out detail like that?

In my experience pedestrians often straddle the path. So if you’re stupid enough to fire up a heated thread like this, you deserve everything you get if you want to omit details.

I find it quite extraordinary how cyclists demand their rights when it comes to riding on the roads, but then then ignore pedestrians’ rights when it comes to shared paths.

The number of times I’ve moved aside on paths for cyclists who are barrelling through, leaving just a view of a lycra-clad arse, without a word of thanks or acknowledgement. A pox on all ignorant cyclists, whether on the road or on foot paths.

So why did the cyclist have to slow down if you were both completely off the path, as you say?

And this is why cyclists will continue to get little or no respect from other road and path users. I have noticed a huge spike in the number of cyclists who think they can pick and choose which rules apply to them lately. Through red lights, through pedestrian crossings with people on them, between lines on cars etc. The give way to pedestrians rule on pathways has always been in place for cyclists, yes pedestrians should keep left etc. I’d also like to know why so many bicycles are not fitted with a bell, as required by law? It’s hard to stay out of the way of something you don’t hear coming.

Quoted from TAMS brochure http://www.tams.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/13989/Enjoying_Safe_Cycling_in_the_ACT_May_2009.pdf

Shared paths/footpath/cycle paths
• It is permissible for cyclists to ride on footpaths in
the ACT
• Show courtesy to other users, especially
pedestrians. Remember that small children are
unpredictable and older people may not see or
hear you. Also remember that people may be
walking dogs on leads. Give them a wide berth.
Cyclists must give right of way to pedestrians,
wheel chairs and motorised scooters used by
people with disabilities. This might occasionally
involve dismounting and walking the bike
• Cyclists should keep left where possible.

So to sum up the situation as usual.

ONE cyclist did the wrong thing (and remember we have only heard one side of the story)and therefore ALL cyclists should hang their heads in shame and willfully accept being abused and collectively described as lawbreaking psycopaths because of the actions of one individual.

Funny how it only ever works that way in respect of cyclists. An individual car driver cuts you off, or a pedestrian walks out in front of you, and that INDIVIDUAL is an idiot who deserves to be abused. A cyclist does the wrong thing and ALL cyclists deserve to be abused.

As a careful, law abiding cyclist, I hate with a passion people who ride, drive or walk in a careless or agressive manner. But I reserve my very deepest hatred and contempt for morons who engage in lazy stereotyping. These people are the filthiest sewage on the planet.

But the poor cyclist may have been trying to get 0.01 seconds off his best time for the ride, and have shaved his legs specially for the attempt. How dare you impede him in any way, you should stand well back from the path, and cheer and wave as he went by. We all know that cyclists are a special breed apart with more rights than the rest of us…

deye said :

speaking of shared paths and dogs and leashes, don’t be on one side of the path with the dog off over the other side with the leash stretched across the entire path.

Reminds me of a recent incident I saw a Woden. Some skank’s uncaged primates ran into an elderly woman carefully carrying a cup of coffee. The drink went everywhere, but luckily only some of it on one of the kids. Skank then abused to little old lady for almost hurting her precious.

I’m in favour of registration, tags and leash laws for under 12s.

PS: Lovebumps is opposed, but only because she would have to buy more leashes and they tangle easily.

I-filed said :

It’s time cyclists were registered and had plates so they can be reported.

+1,000. Rego required on roads of 60km/h and over, as well as black bike paths. Maybe a small rego fee for upkeep and expansion of the bike path network. But then I can see a lot of cyclists complaining about pedestrians being slow and getting a free ride on ‘their paths’, much like the motorist v cyclist situation…

Postalgeek said :

Sounds like two idiots coming head to head. Share the paths and don’t walk on both sides.

Sounds more like one idiot being an arrogant troll to the OP and lowering down the reputation of cyclists.

bd84 said :

I’d also like to know why so many bicycles are not fitted with a bell, as required by law? It’s hard to stay out of the way of something you don’t hear coming.

You’ve just given me a great idea, maybe motorists should beep their horn every time they get close to a cyclist. That way they know that a car is coming & it should get some of them out of their little fantasy worlds in which they are bigger & better then buses.

bd84 said :

I’d also like to know why so many bicycles are not fitted with a bell, as required by law? It’s hard to stay out of the way of something you don’t hear coming.

In my pedestrian experience, most bikes have bells but their pilots choose not to use them. Startling a pedestrian from behind is potentially so dangerous – ie, at the last moment a pedestrian hears something approaching from behind, turns to see what, and gets poleaxed by said cyclist on the way through. Seen it too many times, and there by the grace of [chosen deity] go I.

Must say, the few times my 4 year old and I have walked along the cycle path near our house, vigilantly sticking to the left, we have often been frightened out of our pantelones by speeding cyclists who refuse to use their bell.

Cyclists don’t have engines, and therefore, it’s not easy to hear them coming, so please, use your bells.

Postalgeek said :

So why did the cyclist have to slow down if you were both completely off the path, as you say?

Good point.

inlymbo said :

Being abusive is absolutely wrong…….

But, I am confuzzed? One part of the ruling is:

‘Please respect all users and be prepared to give way to cyclists and pedestrians as necessary.’

And then this: ‘Cyclists should give way to pedestrians and other users at all times.’

Which one is it then? Or am I missing something?

Noticed that too, but the OP only bolded the part that was useful to their argument.

3 sides to every story. Yours, mine and the truth. Seems we’re stuck with ‘yours’ here

bd84 said :

And this is why cyclists will continue to get little or no respect from other road and path users. I have noticed a huge spike in the number of cyclists who think they can pick and choose which rules apply to them lately. Through red lights, through pedestrian crossings with people on them, between lines on cars etc. The give way to pedestrians rule on pathways has always been in place for cyclists, yes pedestrians should keep left etc. I’d also like to know why so many bicycles are not fitted with a bell, as required by law? It’s hard to stay out of the way of something you don’t hear coming.

My feelings also. We’ve walked beside each other, hard to have a conversation otherwise, and move to the left, even right off the path IF we are alerted to the approach of a cyclist, but they seem to think everyone should have amazing psychic abilities where they’re concerned. Same when we’re in the car, we’re expected to somehow know when they will suddenly swerve off the path onto the road or take a shortcut the wrong around a roundabout.
This isn’t meant to be a rant against cyclists, there are just SOME idiots. Just as there are SOME idiot drivers and pedestrians. It really shouldn’t be that difficult