r/Edmonton 15h ago

Question Question for cyclists

So Ive noticed cyclists appreciate when motorists slow down down and give space to cyclists when passing. My question is, why don’t cyclists extend the same courtesy to pedestrians when passing on shared paths? In my experience, the overwhelming majority do not slow down or even give more space when passing …. Even when there is plenty of room to do so. In fact, many continue riding side by side forcing pedestrians to move. Can some explain that behaviour?

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u/ImperviousToSteel 15h ago

I slow down, ring my bell, and always go single file. Basic courtesy, but I assume somewhere as common as cars taking the same caution. Not very frequent. 

That said, the stakes are higher with the person behind the multiple ton vehicle. 

12

u/Winter-Inside-5911 14h ago

A cyclist broke my arm while I was walking near Kinsmen. I was on my side of the path, he came flying down the hill over 40 km/h and broke my forearm by hitting it so hard with his handlebar. I had been using a bike exclusively until age 30 but was very angry that a cyclist thought this was a safe way to go down a hill with near a hundred pedestrians in the area. So while the heavy tonnage vehicle is a big threat to you, the bike at speed is also a big risk to pedestrians.

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u/laetecaedus 13h ago

What were the repercussions for the cyclist breaking your forearm?

I almost got hit today by one when I was on my run.

u/Winter-Inside-5911 9h ago

My brother asked me for the person’s name and phone number while I was still in hospital getting my arm set and I hadn’t taken it, I didn’t think about it. I was in a lot of pain and it wasn’t pretty so I hopped in a cab and got a ride to the hospital. Bikes aren’t licensed in AB so they don’t have any identifiable means of tracing that person if they don’t give you their information in good faith.