this post was submitted on 26 Apr 2025
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askchapo
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Pedestrian has right of way… cyclist shouldn’t be going so fast because they have the chance to hit someone… we could be injured right now and it would still be cyclist fault
Pedestrians don't always have the right of way. A cycle path is like a road for cyclists. No matter what speed a vehicle or bike is traveling at, there will be a minimum stopping distance. If you as a pedestrian just throw yourself in front of a bike or vehicle without thinking, then you are responsible. There is no speed they can travel at that someone couldn't get hit if they just walk out directly in front of them. Hell, you as a pedestrian have a stopping distance. If you're walking at normal speed and someone just jumps right out in front of you, you're going to run into them.
Was the cyclist traveling at a legal speed for that path? If so, then the liability is likely on the pedestrian. The cyclist needs to not be going so fast that they won't hit someone up ahead of them using the path, whether walking or biking. That is something they can and should be reasonably prepared for. If there is a blind turn, they need to not be going so fast that they can hit someone around the bend. But that is a reasonable hazard that can be prepared for. Or if there is a marked crossing, cyclists also need to not be going so fast that they can't stop in time for people crossing there. But on a straightaway, and someone just comes out of the brush at a random location, not looking, and throws themselves into your path? No, you have no liability there as a cyclist. That isn't a hazard you can reasonably prepare for.
You are basically arguing that it should be illegal for people to ride bike at all, as there is no minimum speed that you can avoid a collision if someone is just going to throw themselves out in front of you.
Perfectly put.
You weren’t there. No investigation no right to speak
What a reductive and thought-terminating argument that also simultaneously devalues the very phrase and idea you are invoking.
I think some self-crit could come in handy here. People, comrades, are engaging with you in good faith and you are sending poop and middle finger emojis, and making ad hominem attacks because surely you must be right on everything all the time and we are all just jealous you have a girlfriend.
Nobody is saying the cyclist wasn’t an asshole to escalate like that. However, you still haven’t stated if you crossed at a designated crossing. By your own admission it sounds like you didn’t look before crossing and forced the cyclist to make an emergency stop. Cycle paths are designed for cyclists to cycle fast. Courtesy goes both ways.
I don’t want this to come off as harassment and therefore will disengage. I just hope this can be an opportunity for reflection rather than conflict.
🖕💩🖕
No, that’s why I have been so careful in my answers. Based on what you’ve commented, you were in the wrong.