Actually they are jaywalking, which is illegal.
And what surprises me is that they don't look before jaywalking.
It's only illegal if you are crossing within a certain proximity of a pedestrian crossing. My sister in law was fined on the spot by a policeman a few years ago for doing exactly that.
Pedestrians crossing the road without first looking is perfectly legal and is compliant with the rules of the Darwin Awards.
I was once out on a training ride on my triathlon bike, going a healthy 50kph. A car was at a stop sign on a side street, and I had eye contact with the driver. She pulled out into traffic anyway, and I nearly slammed into the side of her car.
People just don't realize how fast bicycles, especially racing bicycles, can go.
Have you got a source for this? My Swiss boss is adamant that it's illegal unless the "pavement" is marked as a bike lane - would be interested to see.
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Cyclists must be aware of their surroundings and be able to react to them. If not, then you're driving too fast.
It's absolutely impossible. When I drove to work this morning in my car, a cyclist shot over a red light just in front of my car. I was not too fast and actually quite aware of my surroundings - but I still nearly hit him. (He was too busy talking on his mobile to actually recognize that something pretty dangerously just happened and continued to cycle over the next red light at which I stopped...)
There is no way to predict people doing completely stupid things... and the reason why we have traffic rules is to make things a bit easier.
If you are on a bike and a pedestrian jumps in front of you without warning at a place where you have the right of way - you are not going too fast.
I particularly hate the 90 degree turns many do here. I can normally foresee if somebody plans to cross a street, heads for a crossing or just walks along the street. They way they move, they even just slightly turn their heads to look out for traffic and so on. Here I have time and again witnessed some people walking along a street making absolutely suprising 90 degree turns and suddenly step on the street. There is no way to be prepared for that.
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Are the pedestrians ever considered to be at fault?
I don't think so. It is always the person on the bike or car has to be more cautious.
Yes, of course they can.
The responsibility of the driver/cyclist to avoid a collision is always there, however, if you can prove that a/the pedestrian "caused" the accident, then yes, they can end up in the dock for it. Pedestrians are also subject to the highway code - give or take.
Sheesh. Some of the comments on this thread... good job Ittigen hasn't seen it...
pedestrians are not very supportive here,, yesterday i would have almost hit a lady,, i didnt jump the signal but it was turning from green to yellow and its difficult to apply sudden breaks at this point in time.,, its good to have liability insurance here....
(He was too busy talking on his mobile to actually recognize that something pretty dangerously just happened and continued to cycle over the next red light at which I stopped...)
Thats my biggest gripe having observed both pedestrians and cyclists here: them on their mobiles with no regard whatsoever for their surroundings. Some even texting whilst on their bikes.
Bloody selfish!!
Yes, we as drivers need to be alert at all times but pardon the pun - its a two way street. A little give-and-take and not acting like you are king of the road will be nice.
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Cyclists must be aware of their surroundings and be able to react to them. If not, then you're driving too fast.
Genau . . .except that no matter how carefully that you either ride or drive, you just cannot legislate for someone walking along and at the last second, when you are virtually alongside them, just doing a 90 degrees and then you just have no chance . . . . . . . then it`s this . . .
Have you got a source for this? My Swiss boss is adamant that it's illegal unless the "pavement" is marked as a bike lane - would be interested to see.
Hmmm, now I feel unsure. Prof. Dr. Google suggest that it isn't that clearly defined although there are some ground rules http://www.admin.ch/ch/d/sr/741_01/a43.html
However, it seems to be widely tolerated by the police. I have cycled past them on pavements many times without them even glancing my way.
. . . . then it`s this . . .
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