the pedestrian

As a lowly pedestrian, I don’t really mind cars.

They’re big, noisy and easy to avoid.

Cyclists, on the other hand, are a pain.

The footpath is narrow, and there’s a crowd of people making their way in both directions. There’s heavy foot traffic but it’s smooth, people generally know the pace, direction, and space they’re walking on.

Suddenly, there’s impatient ringing, annoying, irritating from a cyclist 300 metres away to announce he’s taking over the path.

The traffic slows to a grind as us compliant peds make some room for the bicycle to slip through quick.

The cyclist doesn’t as much as nod to acknowledge this generous display of public civility.

Sheesh.

Power to the pedestrians.