Tuesday 16 September 2014

Cycling

As a cyclist, I've observed many things.
For example;
Squirrels are among the dumbest creatures in the World.
They can see you riding toward them, yet they'll still run across your path!
Pedestrians are the second dumbest, for the same reason!
I remember years ago, with the introduction of 'The Walkman', there was a worry that people who had loud music playing directly into their ears would lack spacial awareness. Thus leaving them a danger to themselves whilst in public.
Aside from a handful of cases, as far as I'm aware, this wasn't really the case.
However, when targeted with the same accusation, mobile phones don't come away with the same virtual innocent verdict.
Placing a mobile phone into the hands of certain individuals seems to instantly suck away at their common sense.
Sending text messages, emails, or browsing the Internet whilst walking in public, doesn't make you indestructible to oncoming vehicles.
It's not such a major issue when the vehicle is me on my bike but I've seen some crazy behaviour.
I don't know the stats but would imagine it's the cause of a rising percentage of injuries.
If they step into my path, providing I have enough time to stop, or swerve, the worst they'll experience is me screaming at the top of my voice.
I have a bell on my bike but me screaming always gets a better reaction.
I managed to make one woman scream almost as loud as I was, and drop her phone. RESULT!

3 comments:

  1. I bet that last part counts as sport to you, doesn't it?
    Good to see ya back on the interweb, even if it is once every 10 months.

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  2. As a chap who drives a car I am not entirely happy with folk on bikes. . . I am not against the idea of bicycles but on our narrow country roads here in the UK you can suddenly come across someone struggling up a hill trying to avoid the potholes or the like. UK roads are full of potholes. I do feel bicycles are a little vulnerable to the modern car on narrow roads that are rubbish. we need soft cars or armored bicycles. I see a lot of car drivers using mobile phones these days and that really is seriously scary. . . . .

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  3. At the risk of sounding like a big hippy, would it be such an inconvenience for drivers to just enjoy the view of the cyclists hairy crack, or even use their mobile phone to take a picture of it?
    I'm with you on the potholes. It can be an adventure out there!
    A little mutual respect from both drivers and cyclists would make the world a happier place.
    After all, tis the season to be jolly...

    ReplyDelete