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One of my colleagues seemed surprised that jaywalking is legal in the UK. Another friend seemed perplexed when a car stopped to let him across the road. I thin

by scott_w 15y ago

One of my colleagues seemed surprised that jaywalking is legal in the UK. Another friend seemed perplexed when a car stopped to let him across the road. I think it stems down to our different attitude. We're taught in school to "stop, look, listen" but all major road campaigns focus on the driver's behaviour e.g. speeding, drink/drugs. I think as far as cyclists go, I don't think music should affect your awareness of the road. Being able to hear cars behind you helps, but you should always be looking before you move.

idleloops 15y ago
I agree with you about the music. I used to listen to music on my push bike - but I don't now - mainly because if I turn it up to the point I can actually hear it over the din of the cars, I'd damage my ears. I could always hear the traffic over the music. Probably more so than a driver with the stereo turned up. Other cyclists weren't that happy to see me place headphones on. Though if you mute one sense, it can heighten another. I see plenty of cyclists that don't observe the roads properly - even signalling and veering out without looking behind - at least I use my eyes. I'm more concerned myself about drivers that I still see daily using their mobile phones at the wheel. A cyclist has a higher reaction time than a driver traveling at speed - something that drivers forget. That's not to say you don't need to be alert.
chollida1 15y ago
> Another friend seemed perplexed when a car stopped to let him across the road. I'm Canadian and the motorist behaviour you get depends on what part of Canada you live in. Out east cars stop to let pedestrians walk. In Quebec/Ontario they seem to speed up to signal that you'd better not get in there way. Out West cars and people seem to have an agreement that people time their walking so that the car passes them before they get to the middle of the road, but no one slows down.
- cafard 15y ago
  I was shocked in Toronto in the late 1980s when a young woman I was talking with stepped out in the middle of the street. Being accustomed mostly to Washington and Baltimore, I thought I was about to see an accident with at best grave injuries to her. The car stopped, and I started breathing again. In Washington, DC, there is a lot of jaywalking, but in most neighborhoods the pedestrians are damn careful to be sure that they are have the space to cross.

by scott_w 15y ago

idleloops 15y ago

I agree with you about the music. I used to listen to music on my push bike - but I don't now - mainly because if I turn it up to the point I can actually hear it over the din of the cars, I'd damage my ears. I could always hear the traffic over the music. Probably more so than a driver with the stereo turned up. Other cyclists weren't that happy to see me place headphones on. Though if you mute one sense, it can heighten another. I see plenty of cyclists that don't observe the roads properly - even signalling and veering out without looking behind - at least I use my eyes. I'm more concerned myself about drivers that I still see daily using their mobile phones at the wheel. A cyclist has a higher reaction time than a driver traveling at speed - something that drivers forget. That's not to say you don't need to be alert.

chollida1 15y ago

> Another friend seemed perplexed when a car stopped to let him across the road. I'm Canadian and the motorist behaviour you get depends on what part of Canada you live in. Out east cars stop to let pedestrians walk. In Quebec/Ontario they seem to speed up to signal that you'd better not get in there way. Out West cars and people seem to have an agreement that people time their walking so that the car passes them before they get to the middle of the road, but no one slows down.

cafard 15y ago
I was shocked in Toronto in the late 1980s when a young woman I was talking with stepped out in the middle of the street. Being accustomed mostly to Washington and Baltimore, I thought I was about to see an accident with at best grave injuries to her. The car stopped, and I started breathing again. In Washington, DC, there is a lot of jaywalking, but in most neighborhoods the pedestrians are damn careful to be sure that they are have the space to cross.