Cyclists !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Don Atkinson on 24 April 2017
Cyclists !!!!!!!!!!!!
We’ve just got back from a delightful family weekend at Centre Parcs (Longleat). Don’t ask, it’s not relevant !
We took our bikes and enjoyed cycling around the park. I’m totally satisfied that my lot were completely aware of pedestrians. We slowed down, gave way, dismounted and were pleasantly polite to any pedestrians who eased over to let us pass. I don’t recall any one of us feeling the urge or the need to ring a bell or shout, to inform a pedestrian of our presence. There were 7 of us plus the latest addition in a trailer-buggy.
However, when we were walking, I have lost count of the times I heard an aggressive warning bell just prior to a cyclist, or group of cyclists, whizzing past too fast to cope with a wandering youngster, or simply just “demanding” a mere pedestrian to shift out of their way!
We frequently stroll along sections of the Kennet & Avon canal. Again, cyclists seem to think that sounding their bell (or shouting) is all that is required to ensure that the two of us re-position to line-astern and step aside from the tow-path and into the long grass/nettles/reeds to enable their continued passage at upwards of 15 mph !!
Well, I’m fed up with this element of society. However, I am undecided as to what course of action to take.
Advice ?
Top of a mountain in Norway, miles from anywhere (but near to where Mr Fjeld lives).
Self-explanatory, but why do we need such signs ?
PS I do appreciate that the red border means "please do not do this !"
Don Atkinson posted:
Top of a mountain in Norway, miles from anywhere (but near to where Mr Fjeld lives).
Self-explanatory, but why do we need such signs ?
PS I do appreciate that the red border means "please do not do this !"
Actually the red triangle border means it is a warning sign - i.e it warns of a hazard ahead, in this case the hazard evidently being cyclists [potentially] colliding with pedestrians, so as a road user I would take it as a warning to cyclists that there could be pedestrians ahead.
Oddly the sign seems unconcerned about the risk of motorists colliding with pedestrians - or is it a cycle lane or other non-motorised area?
Curiously it appears not to be at right angles to the flow of traffic and strangely high, making it less than obvious to a cyclist, unless that is just an optical distortion in the photo...
Cyclists, stay safe at night by being seen by others. Dazzle them with glowing swinging balls...
Innocent Bystander posted:Don Atkinson posted:
Top of a mountain in Norway, miles from anywhere (but near to where Mr Fjeld lives).
Self-explanatory, but why do we need such signs ?
PS I do appreciate that the red border means "please do not do this !"
Actually the red triangle border means it is a warning sign - i.e it warns of a hazard ahead, in this case the hazard evidently being cyclists [potentially] colliding with pedestrians, so as a road user I would take it as a warning to cyclists that there could be pedestrians ahead.
Oddly the sign seems unconcerned about the risk of motorists colliding with pedestrians - or is it a cycle lane or other non-motorised area?
Curiously it appears not to be at right angles to the flow of traffic and strangely high, making it less than obvious to a cyclist, unless that is just an optical distortion in the photo...
It's 4,000' up a mountain, a few miles outside Bergen. There is a radio transmitter on the mountain top. You need an off-road vehicle to reach the transmitter unless you hike or bike or cycle. I've only ever seen one vehicle up there, but i've seen quite a few mountain bikers, usually in large groups. Most of the trail is quite good as in the picture, but there are options for hikers and bikers that an off-roader couldn't manage and options that mountain bikers would be hard pushed to take. We usually take the hikers-only route.
The sign is parallel to the "flow" of traffic (there is no traffic, and just the occasional squad of cyclists). It struck me as strange and completely unnecessary to have such a sign in the middle of nowhere !
TOBYJUG posted:Cyclists, stay safe at night by being seen by others. Dazzle them with glowing swinging balls...
That rear light is the dogs danglies! 
We have these signs in some places. Many drivers interpret them to be directed solely at cyclists, instructing them to get out of the way and ride in the gutter.
Don Atkinson posted:
Top of a mountain in Norway, miles from anywhere (but near to where Mr Fjeld lives).
Self-explanatory, but why do we need such signs ?
PS I do appreciate that the red border means "please do not do this !"
You need to "click" on the picture to load the Flickr version. Then in Flickr, go for the Full Screen option, then enlarge that. The writing and the graphic can then be read easily.
You can also then see that the path ahead is just that - a path, not a road ! And you can also pick out the cabin on the far hill, to the left of the post.
Don Atkinson posted:It's 50 years ago since I worked for the Swedish highway authority (part of my degree course) but I think a loose translation is "slow - be considerate".
And I think that sums up this thread quite nicely ?
With non-existent command of Norwegian, I assumed "Vis hensyn - sakte fart" meant "Caution, breaking wind can cause riders to lose control of their bikes", alternatively "Beware, boring old farts in the way"... 
Innocent Bystander posted:Don Atkinson posted:It's 50 years ago since I worked for the Swedish highway authority (part of my degree course) but I think a loose translation is "slow - be considerate".
And I think that sums up this thread quite nicely ?
With non-existent command of Norwegian, I assumed "Vis hensyn - sakte fart" meant "Caution, breaking wind can cause riders to lose control of their bikes", alternatively "Beware, boring old farts in the way"...
You beat me to it IB. 
I was going to suggest a "Caption" competition with winky's sign and the Norwegian one............
....I think you're in pole position !
Don Atkinson posted:
Top of a mountain in Norway, miles from anywhere (but near to where Mr Fjeld lives).
Self-explanatory, but why do we need such signs ?
PS I do appreciate that the red border means "please do not do this !"
I see your point, most signs are ignored - http://road.cc/content/news/22...ed-four-five-drivers
Don Atkinson posted:Don Atkinson posted:
Top of a mountain in Norway, miles from anywhere (but near to where Mr Fjeld lives).
Self-explanatory, but why do we need such signs ?
PS I do appreciate that the red border means "please do not do this !"
You need to "click" on the picture to load the Flickr version. Then in Flickr, go for the Full Screen option, then enlarge that. The writing and the graphic can then be read easily.
You can also then see that the path ahead is just that - a path, not a road ! And you can also pick out the cabin on the far hill, to the left of the post.
I assume it says something like 'Pedestrians do not even dare to karate kick cyclists or their bicycles'.