Rider falls foul of pedestrian walking in cycle lane
AN INJURED cyclist from Cleethorpes has warned that pedestrians can be an obstacle to riders as much as vehicles.
Melanie Allan, 40, suffered shoulder and leg injuries after colliding with a man walking his dogs on a cycle path between Cleethorpes Leisure Centre and the sand dunes, close to the light railway, at 10am on Monday.
It happened in the same week that road safety chiefs issued a warning to motorists in the wake of a sharp increase in the number of cyclists being injured on North East Lincolnshire's roads.
More people are taking to two wheels as fuel prices soar.
But Melanie, who regularly rides 14 miles a day for exercise, told how pedestrians can be as big an obstacle when they stray onto cycle paths.
She told how she sounded her cycle bell three times at the elderly man but could not avoid the collision.
She swerved to avoid him, but clipped the man's elbow.
Melanie said many cyclists revert to cycling on roads and risk traffic rather than use cycle paths because of dogs and pedestrians roaming onto the cycleways.
The keen cyclist said: "This gentleman did not seem to care at all. Even when I came off my bike and fell on to the grass verge he just walked on by.
"I was crying and he could see I was injured.
"I was wearing my helmet and bright clothing and he was on the wrong side of the cycle path.
"It is not just Cleethorpes seafront. The pathway to Asda's in Grimsby has mums pushing prams in the cycle lane."
She added: "Of course there are a courteous few who stick to the etiquette, but because the law is a bit of a grey area and it says that cyclists can be fined for causing dangerous riding, it does not say the same for pedestrians, unless a pedestrian has caused harm.
"There are signs and a white line to separate these areas but pedestrians just ignore them."
She said she always thanked pedestrians for moving out of a cycle path.
Melanie said: "They would not do this on a road with cars so why on a cycle path? I teach my children the safety of cycle paths but someone needs to explain to pedestrians."
30 Comments
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by snettles
Sunday, February 19 2012, 7:24AM
“You ARROGANT cyclist. You rang your bell 3 times. The elderly gentleman didn't hear it. So why did you still manage to plough into him?
Get well soon elderly gentleman, sir.”
by AfricanMeggy
Monday, February 06 2012, 8:46PM
“The pedestrian should be banned for walking for two years!Who does he think he is walking his dogs? I mean what's wrong with these people? Can't they sit at home and watch Emmerdale Farm? Next thing you know they will be walking all over the place! Nip it in the bud now! Its the thin end of the wedge! It should n't be allowed!Walking should be banned! The cyclist cycled into the elderly man hurting him and he did n't even rush to help her!Perhaps he was hurt too!Obviously a Senile Delinquent! Melanie Allen I THINK YOU NEED TO BE MORE AWARE OF PEDESTRIANS!Especially old ones! YOU SELFISH WOMAN!!!!!!!!!!!!”
by Bizarre57
Saturday, January 28 2012, 4:20PM
“Pedestrians and cyclists just do not mix, end of - whoever thought that having a cycle lane next to a path was a good idea was clearly having an off day! It's like having a footpath by the side of the M1 - lethal! Earlier this year I broke my arm and as a result I couldn't drive for a few months so I walked everywhere. I lost count of the number of times I was verbally abused by cyclists as it seemed I got in their way on the footpaths!”
by Summerdaze666
Saturday, January 28 2012, 10:07AM
“Sorry she got hurt, cycle lanes are for bicycles we all know that, however pavements are for pedestrians I am fed up with nearly getting knocked over by some inconsiderate cyclist, I refuse to move so they have to get off their bikes.”
by smokebelch
Friday, January 27 2012, 9:45PM
“quote from the cyclist herself:
"Of course there are a courteous few who stick to the etiquette, but because the law is a bit of a grey area and it says that cyclists can be fined for causing dangerous riding, it does not say the same for pedestrians, unless a pedestrian has caused harm."
does that mean she can expect a fine through the post? (should do)
Also, how does she expect the chap she hit to react? she's just rode into him, why the hell would he stop and help her?
I ride 40-50 miles a week, and if someone is in the cycle path I slow down, or stop, at the end of the day its the pedestrian that has the right of way.....no grey area....know your highway code love”