With emptier roads, and people wanting to be well spaced out on the pavements, it is far more common for people to run or walk in the road. Cyclists are also more likely to go in the road where there is a cycleway, even if it is against another set of rules – The Highway Code.
At the end of Wilsham Road there is a warning sign about pedestrians.
M sent an email which prompted this post. He said ‘I have had a lot of incidents when I have had to move aside because someone else refused to, or runners and cyclists rush past me with no attempt to keep 2 metres away. They are more dangerous than walkers as their breath is stronger, and I read that one should immediately step aside if caught in the slipstream of one who has just gone past.’
He also mentions a cyclist on the pavement that forced him as a pedestrian into the road. He shouted after the cyclist and they scowled back.
Somebody I know, who is strict about abiding by the rules, says she was incensed when her neighbour had visitors round for a noisy Bar-B-Q.
At Tesco with the new direction arrows, most people follow the arrows. My wife pointed the arrows out to another shopper who was consistently going against the suggested route.
Whereas a lot of people abide by the rules about distancing, others appear to carry on much as before. They may have other things on their mind (such as a mobile phone). They may not want to be told how to behave.
Maybe a psychologist will do a study called ‘The Psychology of Social Distancing.’
In an effort to reassure ‘M’; This was on the BBC website, so it absolutely MUST be true:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-derbyshire-52389245
Within it it details how running/cycling/breathing heavily is NOT an increase to virus risk. Not that that means one should flout the 2m rule….just that heavy breathing in itself poses no greater risk.
Separately; as ALL road users will know…both rules 61 and 63 of the highway code advise that the use of cycle lanes (etc) is NOT compulsory.
This is apparently reassuring as you say, Daniel,but it contradicts the known fact that incubating and asymptomatic virus carriers can infect others. Since they are not coughing, they can only infect people with their breath.
You omitted to mention Rule 64 of the Highway Code “You MUST NOT cycle on a pavement.” This is a serious problem in Abingdon, with or without COVID-19. I have had several near-misses with bikes on the pavement and have mentioned it to the police on a number of occasions, but it seems there is little or nothing they can or are willing to do about it.
The Highway Code does not say that pedestrians must walk on the pavement, but points out that walking in the road carries risks (rules 1, 3, 4, 7 etc). Just because the advice is not compulsory does not mean that it should be ignored
The reason for this and for the advice given to cyclists is because (like equestrians) they don’t need a licence to use the highway. Other road users do and the HC provides the terms and conditions which apply to licence holders.
That said, the advice to cyclists is that cycle lanes and paths “can make your journey safer” – and surely safety is a primary consideration for us all.
The rule which is flouted by cyclists is rule 64: You MUST NOT cycle on a pavement.
Sorry, Mike, I was too busy typing to have noticed your post and its final comment!
Some people on bicycles ride on the pavement, just as some people in motor vehicles exceed the speed limit, and some people on foot walk out in the road without looking. It’s no more true to say that ‘cyclists’ ‘flout’ the pavement rule than it is to say that ‘carists’ flout rules on speed, or that ‘footists’ flout the green cross code. There’s a certain proportion of people, no matter what their choice of transport, or any other activity, who are inconsiderate or selfish – that shouldn’t be generalised to everyone who makes the same choice.
Also, despite the relevant law, the authorities have recognised that it is sometimes reasonable to cycle on the pavement, if done with consideration for the comfort and safety of other users, where it does not feel safe to cycle in the road. Sadly, that’s all too often the case for many people. Even in the current situation, with much less traffic around, that just seems to have encouraged the idiot minority, who all seem to still be out there, often probably making unnecessary journeys, to treat the roads like their own private racetrack. This can be quite intimidating, particularly for novice or less confident users of bikes.
I cycle quite a lot, and pre-lockdown would always use the cycle paths where possible. One of the joys of lockdown is the vastly increased number of families with small children one sees out and about, walking together as a family—far more than before. This means that the shared space paths are much busier. But with fewer cars around, riding on the roads is quiet and safe. In fact, many of the country roads that I wouldn’t have dreamt of cycling along before, have now been opened up by the lack of cars. There will always be inconsiderates in every walk of life. But most of us are fairly pleasant and inoffensive.
Studies have shown that if someone coughs the breath and virus travels more that 6 feet. I believe that if people are running their breath travels more than 6 feet.
I assume the person who’s neighbor had a BBQ reported it on 101 ?
Noise complaints should be directed to the Council Environmental Health Officer who has the powers to deal, the Police do not deal with noise complaint, they have no power to deal with it and will advise you to call the EHO so no point in calling 101. Just report it every time, if other neighbours are affected get them to complain too, the more complaints, generally the quicker the action.
I reported a nearby household for having people round for a bbq over Easter. 3 hours later they were still going. They did it again on Saturday. So presumably no action was taken.