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Post Info TOPIC: Bikes On Footpaths
Happy Daze


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Bikes On Footpaths
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I'm wondering how many others have nearly been run down by youths on either bikes or scooters while walking on a footpath. I wouldn't be surprised to learn that some probably have, even though bikes and scooters aren't meant to be ridden on footpaths. (At least I don't think scooters are, I could be wrong.) I had this happen to me this afternoon while in the shopping area of our local town and was just about to step to the left before stepping off the footpath to cross the road, when a silent (I guess rubber wheeled) scooter, going at quite a pace, zipped past me on  my left just as I was about to turn.

It's different when you're sharing a walking/bicycle path because you're aware that a bike might be coming up behind you, and in some instances the rider will ring their bell or otherwise let you know they're there, so you're careful not to step into the bike lane. It made me think that if you were unlucky enough to be bowled over you could sustain some pretty serious injuries, broken bones or whatever. I'm a bit too long in the tooth to be able to give chase and have a "friendly" chat about their behaviour.

On a happier note, our Grey Nomad stickers arrived today so we hope to be displaying them on a trip we have coming up in two or three weeks. Safe travels all, Annie

 



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Grams


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Hi Annie,

I so know what you mean. I have even been walking on the footpath outside the shops and been buzzed by scooters, skateboards and bikes almost hitting me, because I was entering the shop and they passed between me and the shop door. I hate it.

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rockylizard


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Gday...

Know the feeling and have suffered near-misses. Makes me very cautious when even I am in larger towns, shopping centres etc.

However, one other very dangerous group are the "oldies" in their mobility scooters. Some of these dudes, both male and female, seem to think a) they can drive them near the scooter's max speed; b) they have complete right of way when riding on it (and insist on it); and c) often have quite an arrogant attitude if it is suggested they slow down.

Often worse then the young whipper-snappers on bikes/scooters who just give ya the finger, a glare and move on.

Cheers - John



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Gerty Dancer


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I agree Rocky Lizard, those mobility scooters (or their riders) are a worry!! I'm gonna get one one day, then I'll do all those bad things I now complain about!

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rockylizard


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Gerty Dancer wrote:

I agree Rocky Lizard, those mobility scooters (or their riders) are a worry!! I'm gonna get one one day, then I'll do all those bad things I now complain about!

Gday...

Yeah ... it is great this gettin' old thing - licence to pretend we can't hear, see or understand .....  

Cheers - John



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GaryKelly


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I've not had a problem with riders on footpaths so far. But I have had riders of mobility scooters in supermarkets pull up in an aisle and block a whole section of shelves, making it impossible for anyone else to select anything. It's especially annoying when they're undecided about their purchase and start reading labels.

But what can you do? Ban them? I don't think so. People with mobility problems need their scooters. And we can't force all kids with skateboards, scooters, etc, to move onto the roads. It's a situation Churchill would have described as one "up with which we must put".

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sarg


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Well said Gary........I agree......Sarg.

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rockylizard


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GaryKelly wrote:

~~SNIPPED~~ But what can you do? Ban them? I don't think so. People with mobility problems need their scooters. And we can't force all kids with skateboards, scooters, etc, to move onto the roads. It's a situation Churchill would have described as one "up with which we must put".

 Gday...

Agree Gary. However, and I am very tolerant (I am too ) but one of the problems with our society these days is the constant disregard for others, exhibited in this example, by people who don't seem to understand the danger they are putting themselves in - and the innocent bystander.

I will tolerate kids on bikes, scooters, old dudes on mobility scooters, incosiderate drivers of cars, trucks, motorbikes, queue jumpers at ticketboxes, supermarkets, etc etc and I could go on - but that doesn't mean I can't voice my disapproval of their inconsiderate attitude.

Cheers - John



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GaryKelly


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Of course you can voice your disapproval, John. We all do, including Churchill. But I'm afraid inconsiderate people are here to stay. Blame the bloke who told us to go forth and multiply.

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jules47


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Few years ago an elderly woman got a new mobility scooter . Coming down a slight hill in the local strip shopping centre, she swerved to avoid a pedestrian, crashed into another guy on a mob. scooter, they both crashed into the post box and ended up in a heap on the footpath. Ambulances, hospital, broken ankles, wrist, bruises etc., and families taking scooter off the woman was the result - we later found she had never had a driving license, and had no idea how to steer or brake the scooter. Another guy used his accelertor instead of his brake and ended up with a guy sitting in his basket on the front, was actually quite funny!

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Olley46


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GaryKelly wrote:

Of course you can voice your disapproval, John. We all do, including Churchill. But I'm afraid inconsiderate people are here to stay. Blame the bloke who told us to go forth and multiply.




He said come forth but tripped and come fifth.

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landy


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GaryKelly wrote:

Of course you can voice your disapproval, John. We all do, including Churchill. But I'm afraid inconsiderate people are here to stay. Blame the bloke who told us to go forth and multiply.

Hi Gary. There's some people out there. Quite a lot actually that should not be allowed to multiply no biggrin .

           Landy.



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bill12


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New safety feature- bigger bullbars on mobility scooters! Like dodgem cans at the show.It would be interesting. Perhaps we could race them..........Bill

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pawsoz


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I have been staying with a gal pal in Altona area for a few weeks and today I got brave and ventured in to the city......eeeeeeek!
Bikes, scooters, skateboards, pedestrians who are so engrossed in the mobile phone that they just walk straight into you.....it is madness. My younger Whippet hates those wiggly skateboard things, he can never work out which way they are really going and now I know why!

Give me the wide open spaces, even the medium sized country towns where people actually smile and talk to you....even Darwin was safer than Melbourne!

annie

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