cyclist along the front

[eleanor]

Well we have just had an experience! Taking my dog for a walk along Pine Walk since her recent stroke, we found ourselves walking towards a number of cyclist on the pavement one of which cycled into my husband. He came off his bike and became very nasty pushing my husband in his chest and shoulder, shouting and swearing. This is unacceptable behaviour at the best of times but my husband is awaiting an operation on his shoulder and is now in quite a lot of pain. Thankfully a number of people came to aid including a lovely man from Scotland. (didn't get his name) Thank you all. This cyclist had High Wycombe on his back. This is not a good example of behaviour for High Wycombe or indeed England. If by chance you are reading this - Be ashamed!

 

[Sparky]

I am so sorry that you and hubby had to endure this Eleanor. Afraid to say this but the cyclists are getting really bad press over here at the moment and deservedly so, locals and tourists alike are sick and tired of their behaviour. OK they are probably in the minority but some of them have no regard for pedestrians and other road users, i truly believe that there is going to be a serious backlash against them unless they start to show respect .

I do hope that your hubby is OK .

 

[eleanor]

Thanks Sparky. He is ok but we feel quite angry by the attitude of this person. A child quite honestly would not have stood much chance. These bikes are dangerous and should not be used where people are walking. This was after all an area that is for pedestrians. We have had a tough time with our dog and really didn't need this. So many nice people came to support. The cyclist soon got on his bike and off he went. I think you are quite correct that they are causing problems for themselves. Trying to drive on some of the roads this year has become quite a challenge.

 

[Nick]

I reported this possible problem very recently on here.
If this idiot had done that to me or my family he'd be wearing his bike now.
Hope your husband is okay.

 

[eleanor]

All good thanks Nick. I'm not against cyclist and won't judge them all by this person. I am very against unsociable behaviour, violence and rudeness which is totally unacceptable. This person was out of order!

 

[Tangoman]

Well said Nick - and I'll not tell you where the handlebars would have been if it had been my family!

On a serious note, this only seems to apply to you folks that like to come out in the spring when the Latex men like to train!! Surely the local government/council can sort this out. Hopefully we will have no problems in August, when I expect that it is just too hot for them. Hope all is well Eleanor.

 

[Bails]

As an active cyclist I am also keen to promote social behaviour. I believe this incident needs to be reported to the cycling club involved. They would be able to identify the individual concerned. They can be contacted via e-mail at High Wycombe Cycle Club | Just another WordPress site

 

[animagic21]

Also, I see on their FB site that the team is in Majorca. Please do report this person. You may be able to recognise him from the team photo. Best Wishes to your husband.

 

[Nick]

It is such a shame because the island lends itself to cyclists and cycling holidays. Obviously they bring in very welcome revenue. However, surely any person on a cycle would give way to a pedestrian wherever they are? Then to retaliate when clearly in the wrong beggars belief.

I think Bails' suggestion is a very good one, if you feel minded to email them.

 

[Sparky]

Yes i also agree with Bails and would suggest that if anyone has a similar problem to take the name of the club (if they are wearing a club jersey) and report them. It's in the club's best interest to deal with any wrong doers.

 

[Belladonna]

Huge support for you on Facebook eleanor , and thank you for posting it as it has shown how much discontent has been bubbling under the surface for those cyclists who think they share celebrity status and are above both the law, and morality. Hope Chris is enjoying is own celebrity status at the moment!

 

[majprop]

Cycling is prohibited along the pedestrian walkways but is not being policed, this incident really should have been reported to the Guardia Civil, I ma sure they would have taken action.

 

[tangofan]

I agree, Eleanor must report this to the club and also the Guardia Civil if it is not too late. After all these people are representing their club overseas and must behave accordingly - this person's behaviour is totally unacceptable.

 

[Molt de Renou]

I would imagine that it is territory covered by the municipal police not the Guardia Civil.

 

[Bootledodger]

All good thanks Nick. I'm not against cyclist and won't judge them all by this person. I am very against unsociable behaviour, violence and rudeness which is totally unacceptable. This person was out of order!

You've used the correct word there ie. "Rudeness" - too many people today believe they and their family/friends etc. enjoyment/behaviour trumps EVERYONE elses...just very arrogant people.
Your fair response is a lesson to us all.

 

[Nick]

You've used the correct word there ie. "Rudeness" - too many people today believe they and their family/friends etc. enjoyment/behaviour trumps EVERYONE elses...just very arrogant people.
Your fair response is a lesson to us all.

That response is all well and good, and I don't really condone violence, however this ignorant oaf in all honesty has got away with it IMO. At worst he'll get someone in his club speaking to him.

We have two distinct issues here. The initial "crime" of cycling in a pedestrian area and hitting someone then having the audacity to actually threaten them. He needs sorting out, be it by a large fine, banning from his club or whatever. He's got away with it.

If just a few of these cyclists were fined say a €100 Euros each time then word might get round. No punishment and it will continue.

 

[eleanor]

I have contacted the club to show disapproval on all counts and will let you know if I receive a response. Thanks everyone for your support. We are big enough to shrug this off and get on with our lives. No harm done this time as such but as said before a small child could be in a very different situation. There are indeed 2 issues but safety must come first. I hope today and future days these cyclist take care, abide the rules and learn that aggression is not helping people to accept them here. It takes just a few to spoil for so many and I'm sure many are very disappointed to feel they have been branded by association. Maybe they should police their own too?

 

[Rosie34]

We came back last week after a short visit and have to admit that we have never seen so many cyclists - all shapes and sizes in the bulging lycra and the funny shoes - they whizz along at breathtaking speeds and then dismount and it makes us laugh seeing the funny walks

On a serious note, I am sure that the majority are considerate cyclists but OMG the arrogance of many of them. Large groups merrily ignoring the No Entry signs on the new part of the front; and despite the cycle lanes along nearly all the main roads, there were always a few that seemed to have an aversion to them and persisted on riding on the road; and although riding 2 abreast is legal - it is disconcerting when the one on the outside is all but straddling the centre white line. We took the scenic route back from lunch at Santa Maria and there are numerous signs asking them to keep to single file but even then there were a few surprises at the other side of yet another hairpin bend!

Hopefully, they will have dispersed when we return next month.

 

[sws97sdg]

Hopefully they will soon install the cycle lane along the front so bikes can go both ways safely and not need to use the new paths.

 

[Nick]

And hopefully the authorities will soon start dealing with them...
(Inconsiderate ones only of course).