Meanwhile at St A Sq
No idea if this complies with any spirit or letter of any rules - except in a land where ''everyone understands about shared-use and behaves accordingly'.
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » General Edinburgh
Today's rubbish walking
(230 posts)-
Posted 9 years ago #
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Posted 9 years ago #
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@chdot I use that cut-through most days, the little exit there is OK, it's getting round the mess of a corner that's the difficult bit.
And some well-meaning but thoughtless soul decided that it would be great to install a heart-shaped bikehoop rack in the middle of the pavement where you cross Queen Street. Means bikes are often parked right across the rather sub-standard "milling" area before the lights. But then the whole section to Dublin Street from the Square is complete and utter Trams-grade rubbish.
Posted 9 years ago # -
Beware aggressive looking pedestrians....
Posted 9 years ago # -
@IWRATS I nearly suffered the same fate a few years ago at the King's Theatre junction. Cycling home from work, I had turned left onto Gilmore Place and had a clear road to the junction other than a pedestrian who was crossing the road in front of me - he was moving fast enough that I decided to pull part-way into primary and maintain my speed rather than stay in the 'cycle lane' (this was before I was more confident about taking primary routinely to avoid the bad surfacing) and slow down. The pedestrian then made it to the pavement quicker than expected so I started to pull back into the cycle lane, only for him to suddenly step back into the road which meant that I had to swerve at speed to avoid him. Luckily there were no vehicles behind me at this point, but I was suitablly surprised to shout something along the lines of "watch out you idiot"... I cycled the remaining 200m to the junction and waited in the ASZ. Surprisingly soon after I came to stop I was aware of a pedestrian approaching me diagonally from my rear left - it was apparent that the man had run down the street to catch up with me and started going off at me about calling him an idiot. I calmly (but nervously; I hate confrontation) explained what had happened from my perspective and why I had shouted at him and attempted to apologise. The 'conversation' went round in circles as I balanced in the ASZ with him stood right next to me. As the left filter arrow came on I pointed out my lights were about to change and attempted a final apology to diffuse the situation and he appeared to back down so I prepared to move away on the green light. As I did so, he abruptly veered back towards me and gave me a gentle, but firm push in to the right as I was moving away at a slow speed. This caused me to wobble to the right just as a car was passing from the other direction (quite possibly a little on the close side given the spacing of the junction) and the front tyre of my bike actually made contact with the side of the car which made a surprisingly loud noise. Luckily I stayed upright and the driver stopped almost immediately. The 'idiot' had run off by this point, but the driver and as passing pedestrian, as I remember, came over to check that I was ok, which I was. I apologised to the driver and asked if his car was ok, which it was, so I walked my bike over to the pavement where I checked it over. Luckily it was also fine (I suspect the chunky Specialised Crossroads tyre took most of hit) so after we had all convinced each other we were ok I cautiously cycled home. Had I had any footage of it I would have contacted the police, but as it was I was just relieved that it hadn't been any worse and didn't want to stress myself out any more about it - plus I would have struggled to describe or recognise the guy in any case; I forgot to say this was winter and it was dark.
Posted 9 years ago # -
Last night on the Lanark Road between Slateford and Shandon, a man chose the most inopportune moment to run kamikaze-style across the road with his infant daughter in tow (i.e. directly in front of my front wheel). I am still not sure how I did not hit the pair of them but if they read this I apologise for shouting! I think we all got as big a fright as each other!
Posted 9 years ago # -
Just a quick warning to avoid a particularly aggressive and threatening man who I met yesterday evening on the Blackhall path just before it passes under the Main Street of Davidson's Mains.
The everyday looking short fat man was in his mid to late 40's and had just cut onto the path from the direction of Silverknowes/Ferry Road with a ~6yo boy and partner/wife.
I was already on the brakes and slowing as the boy had cut through first and I initially wasn't sure what he would do but as he stood on the far right of the path I continued cautiously. I saw this man look up the path towards me but then he moved quickly (and imho deliberately) to my line on the far left hand side of the path as I approached.
I stopped as they were then blocking the path and the man started giving me abuse about not having sufficient lighting.
I cycle with three front lights on my bike, although I tend to save the brightest one of these for the road where there is more light pollution so didn't have it on. However, I have a small but very bright led flashing on my helmet (aiming slightly down to avoid dazzling other cyclists). I know this is bright as if I look up enough, I can see it flashing on reflective surfaces on signs from a long way away. I also have a second bright led pointing at myself so that it lights up my day-glo jacket to provide a large visable area.
I am confident that I am very visible as I have tested my setup so that it as visible as possible without being dazzling for others.
This person seemed close to getting physical and both him and his wife/partner had no issue about getting very aggressive with me (a big guy who is 6'2") in front of their child. Please avoid.
Posted 8 years ago # -
The older lady who walked out in front of me on Annandale Street without looking.
I was in primary and had cars in front and behind me, so it wasn't like the road was empty. Strava said I was doing about 15mph, not exactly fast.
I shouted multiple times very very loudly for her to "watch out", but she didn't even look towards me. I managed to brake in time and swerve around her.
Scary how oblivious she was as she crossed the road.
Posted 8 years ago # -
Blackhall path, heading east down to the Telford Rd bridge yesterday. I ring my bell to a group of four walkers as I'm coming up behind, they move over, we wave to each other in acknowledgement, great.
A few yards later come up behind bloke on the right with two large dogs (Dobermans I think). I ring bell as before, he moves into the centre of the path, and utters some sweary comment about me ringing my bell!
You can't win...
Posted 8 years ago # -
@paolobr you could have stopped your description at Blackhall path and I could have predicted most of the rest.
About 10 years ago, I got back on a bike for the first time in 15 years. Girlfriend suggested we go somewhere quiet and traffic-free til I got my confidence back. Cue getting rocks thrown at us by urchins as we emerged from under the Telford Road bridge...
Posted 8 years ago # -
The pedestrian using the crossing at the west end of Chamber's Street who stopped and held out her hand to ensure I didn't cycle through. I was of course coming to a halt anyway, but this behaviour seemed pretty indicative of the attitude that cyclists are a menace and a threat. I wouldn't necessarily have believed the attitude existed in the wild outwith the comments pages of the EEN, but I was at Roseburn, man, and I heard it from the horses' mouths.
Posted 8 years ago # -
Had ped walk off pavement in front of me the other day at fountainbridge, gave holler and she was very apologetic. We should be on same side
Posted 8 years ago # -
Sunday morning cycling from Airdrie to Bathgate to catch the first train into Edinburgh. Between Blackridge and Armadale there are no lights. There was no traffic around, just me. Suddenly out of the darkness a movement caught my eye and I saw a figure lurch towards me looking for all the world like a Walker from The Walking Dead. I swerved and just avoided him and he disappeared into the darkness again.
He wasn't a zombie, just a pissed up young guy in a track suit. God knows why he came at me, but he's damn lucky "Lucille" wasn't with me!Posted 7 years ago # -
Hit in the ribs by an object thrown from a crowd of urchins I met going down Gorgie Park Road. Not sure what provoked their wrath, and whatever it was they threw wasn't either heavy or fast, but I thought better of investigating further.
Posted 7 years ago # -
Heading up Roseburn Path around 10pm I spotted a dog taking great interest in verge ahead (approx South Trinity Road or Wardie Road area), but it wandered off to go stand with man some 50 metres further away from me...
As I passed the "place of interest" there was a woman on her backside in the stagnant ditch next to path waving her arms and legs about (like a character in one of those 1970s Smash commercials!) And there was another woman there trying to pull her out!
The disturbed stagnant water was giving off quite an unpleasant stench. Not surprising, therefore, that dog and man were keeping safe distance from the incident.
No idea how the pedestrian ended up ditch on her bum. Perhaps dog was involved, but he was doing his best to look innocent as I cycled by.
Posted 7 years ago # -
Just going south at the mosque got to use all of the braking power available as a couple stepped out on the road while examining a telephone.
Both tyres chittering and a distinct burning smell as I came to a stop with my front wheel between the startled gentleman's legs.
He reckoned it was 'his bad', big time, but I'd seen them twenty meters away and I could have anticipated....
Posted 7 years ago # -
IWRATS, if we all spent all out time slowing down for people who might step/drive/run/fall in front of us we would never get anywhere. I don't think it's unreasonable to expect someone to look up at least once in 20m of phone use.
Posted 7 years ago # -
I don't think it's unreasonable to expect someone to look up at least once in 20m of phone use.
Oh, quite. And certainly when crossing a main road. My point was about my roadcraft. I could and should have anticipated the incident and taken action, be that bell ringing, slowing down, moving wider in my lane or a combination of all three.
Posted 7 years ago # -
Cycled into a young lady on the traffic island going from Middle Meadow Walk to Forest Road. She strolled into the cycle lane while looking at a telephone. No harm done, she apologised and I apologised. Is it bad to notice that she was all soft and smelt nice? Probably is so I didn't.
That whole Forest Road/Bristo Place/Teviot Place gyratory is just a nonsense. So horrible heading south most folk seem to jump the lights and go up the pavement.
Posted 7 years ago # -
So horrible heading south most folk seem to jump the lights and go up the pavement.
I've never noticed this (although I will now, I'm sure). Which lights and which pavement?
Posted 7 years ago # -
If you're on George IV Bridge going south you'll see folk hop the lights and head down the east side of Forest Road on the pavement to Middle Meadow Walk.
I tried it once to see but it isn't a good idea. But then neither is the combat zone of the Bristo Place to Teviot Place turn.
Posted 7 years ago # -
Smartphone user drifting dreamily across Muireston Crescent. Should have tested whether she was aware of my approaching her and had it timed to a nicety, but wasn't brave enough for that.
Posted 7 years ago # -
Was in primary at the tail of a line of cars going through the temporary traffic lights on Fountainbridge when a ped wearing mahoosive headphones and looking entirely the wrong way walked out in front of me against the lights. Managed to swerve behind his oblivious carcass - nerve signals only got to my hands to start braking once I was past him despite already having the brakes covered, it happened that quick.
The humungous headphones probably prevented the guy hearing a few choice oaths in his direction.
Thank goodness I (a) missed him (for my bodily benefit, not his) and (b) if I hadn't and had been on a not entirely legal fixie, what would the repercussions have been?
Posted 7 years ago # -
I have twice now seen and heard a pedestrian walking across Crawford Bridge terrify another pedestrian by bellowing at them from very close range "WATCH OUT THERE'S A BIKE COMING BEHIND YOU!", whilst I was still at least twenty metres away, not yet on the bridge and going at walking pace, intending to not have to pass the pedestrian until off the bridge at the other side.
Posted 7 years ago # -
A couple of guys obliviously wandering out onto the street to cross the other evening after checking left up Gilmore Place despite the fact that the lights were green for Leven and Home Street. Luckily the taxi driver that was turning left from Leven Street onto Gilmore Place saw this, stopped and sounded the horn, which caused them to jump back onto the pavement. Moments later they tried again, this time after looking right. Unfortunately, this attempt was timed with the left-hand filter turning green for Gilmore Place. One of them spotted this and hung back but the other made a mad dash and just made it across.
Posted 7 years ago # -
My return journey from Meadowbank Sainsbury's this afternoon was somewhat lengthened by kicking-out time at the green team's football court.
I don't mind going slowly, bearing careful/courteous and so on, but I wish there was some way of blocking out the football spectatoring chat.
Posted 7 years ago # -
@wingpig, ah, the only way to block out this chat is too not go shopping at meadow bank sainsburys on a Saturday sfternoon?
Posted 7 years ago # -
TBH Wingpig I'm all for pedestrians taking back the streets though you did demonstrate a high degree of patience. I might have called in to a cafe to wait it out. Insanesbury's we call it.
Posted 7 years ago # -
@cyclingmollie, @wingpig, where the mad hibbees go shopping? Meadow bank in sain burys
Posted 7 years ago # -
There was no coffee on the house, so I had to go somewhere and it's more expensive to buy in the wee branch on Bernard St.
Posted 7 years ago #
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