'Stop SMIDSY' campaign sparks pedestrian vs cyclist debate

This seems a very sensible approach from us cyclists. If we take responsibility for our own behaviour then we can ask others to take responsibilty for theirs. We have probably all committed some sin, pavement riding, light jumping, creeping up the inside of traffic etc.. Yes, pedestrians don't always look. However, I'm sure the highway code gives right of way to pedestrians on any highway. Therefore they do have the 'right' to step out, even if it is unsafe to do so.

I don't know how people can expect car drivers to stick to the rules and to be considerate when cyclists say; 'We rarely hurt anyone' or 'Car divers are the real criminals' or 'The police should concentrate on more serious bad road use'. Those who seek to avoid speeding fines in their cars are using much the sam excuse!

Let's rise above this, ride responsibly and respectfully and ask others to do the same in their cars .

I'm not sure *why* a campaign to stop people ramming half tonnes of metal into largely unprotected people should have sparked a debate on the way those largely unprotected people conduct themselves.

Even if a fair number of them are inconsiderate oafs, does that mean that it's ok to maim a random number of the cycling population? Does it further mean that it's ok for that maiming to happen because the people doing it are on the 'phone, tuning the radio, wondering when Chris Moyles is next on holiday, or whatever other pressing matter takes their attention from the road? The UK is becoming an increasingly bizarre place.

The behaviour of drivers (mostly ignoring the speed limit, mostly hideously impatient, and incredibly numerous in our cities) poses a far larger risk to pedestrians (even pedestrians on the pavement, as anyone who's seen the way some of them negotiate the Crewe Road roundabout will testify). "Stop SMIDSY" and in a larger sense, a campaign to get the people in cars to pay attention to more of the road/pavement than just the four feet ahead of their bonnet will surely have benefits for cyclists and pedestrians alike.

Still, concentrating on anti-social cycling will at least give the local bobbies something to do whilst motor traffic speeds past them at 10mph over the limit, blocks pedestrian crossings in slow moving traffic, &c &c.

There are bad drivers, bad cyclists and bad pedestrians - just a way of life!

Perhaps someone should do something about it

My mother got run over from stepping outside of our shop on a pavement that's more than 4 metre wide. I've seen many annoying cyclists that makes me shake my head whether in group ride or crossing red lights just for that extra few seconds of convienants. pavement, red lights, no lights and other reckless behaviour. What can be done, a ticking off every time you see one?

Hmm, how many of those pedestrians are complaining about cyclists who are not breqaking regulations? I'd be interested to know how many pedestrian/cyclist accidents are caused by pedestrians not looking when they step into the road, crossing at a red light or sauntering across the few cycle lanes that do exist.

My experience of commuting in London over the last 20 years leads me to believe that a lot of those pedestrian/cyclist accidents are caused be pedestrains not looking where they are going and not crossing when or where it's safe to do so.