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Ben’s World: If a cyclist gets run over, will anyone care?
ALRIGHT, so I don’t believe my own headline this week.
But it was part of the conversation I had this week. Right after a cyclist rode into the back of me on the pavement.
And when I politely challenged her about it (well, fairly politely - she had just rode her bike into the back of me) she shrugged her shoulders, and stuck her middle finger up. Classy.
>Back to the start.
It’s Wednesday morning. And on my route to work, there is a cycle route.
I agree whole-heartedly with cycle routes. Less cars on the road is a good thing (particularly when I’m driving - and while I’m on the topic, why can’t they set up the traffic lights to always go green for me?).
Sometimes cyclists have to share the road with cars of course. In which case, it’s up to cyclists to try not to get hit by cars, and up to cars not to run people over.
And sometimes, cyclists share the pavement with those of us on two legs. Then it’s up to them not to hit us, and vice versa.
She didn’t fulfil her part of the bargain.
She didn’t look back to apologise either.
But she did have to stop at the pedestrian crossing at the end of the road. Clearly she didn’t want to have a car drive into her bike - that is something that only cyclists get to do to pedestrians.
Ben: “Excuse me, can you watch where you’re going?”
She was obviously delighted to have this conversation.
Cyclist: “Why don’t you stay out of the cycle lane?”
She had a fair point.
On the other hand, I had only stepped marginally into it to let an old lady pass me. She had looked a polite enough OAP, but I didn’t want to assume she wanted to play an impromptu game of hopscotch, which would have been the only other way we could have passed.
She continued: “Why don’t you look where you’re going?”
Ben: “I wasn’t aware you were there. Did you ring your bell?”
The cyclist looked away.
It’s possible she was hard of hearing (this would explain the bell problem). I decided to ask again.
“Did you ring your bell?”
And the cyclist stuck her middle finger up, and rode off.
She had the moral high ground and she had outfoxed me with her wit.
Brilliant.
> This is why people don’t like cyclists. If a driver had driven their car into someone, they would lose their licence. And if they didn’t stop, anyone who saw what happened would be able to make a note of their car registration.
When a cyclist hits someone they don’t have to stop. And if they get challenged they stick their middle finger up and ride away.
If any cyclists out there want to point out how inconsiderate drivers can be, I’m happy to hear from them. And if any motorists or pedestrians want to agree with me, feel free to drop a line too.
And as for the woman who rode into the back of me, please stick to the road next time.
> Conversations with journalists.
“Ben, I read that interview that you did with that girl.”
“Which one?”
“The model... Who’s also a racing car driver... Who does stunt driving as well.”
“Yeah....?”
“Is her name really Annalese Ferrari?”
“Yup.”
“That’s brilliant.”
Nice girl too - good luck with your driving career Annalese - and your modelling one too!
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Weather for Bedford
Monday 28 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 25 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 12 C to 19 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: North east
