Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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WIBTA if I clothesline bicyclists? (self.Blind)
submitted by Mamamagpie
So yesterday I was walking on nice wide pedestrian path along the Hudson River. There is two lane bike path next to it separated by bushes and such.
A mob of about 70 bikes are on the path heading toward me. They are not on the bike path. It was so bad that two cyclists stopped in front of me with their bikes at angle, to funnel the traffic away from me.
So if I ever find myself in flash flood of cyclists, would I be the AH if I held my cane up horizontally? Anyone that gets to close gets clotheslined.
A mob of about 70 bikes are on the path heading toward me. They are not on the bike path. It was so bad that two cyclists stopped in front of me with their bikes at angle, to funnel the traffic away from me.
So if I ever find myself in flash flood of cyclists, would I be the AH if I held my cane up horizontally? Anyone that gets to close gets clotheslined.
vwlsmssng 19 points 1y ago
Yes you are the arsehole if you hold your cane out horizontally. You can make your point better by holding your cane up high and vertically, with your hand at the top, as a barrier and a symbol without risking injury to yourself and other.
It sounds like the cyclists are the arseholes for being on the pedestrian path but there is no need to lower yourself their level.
You would also feel really guilty and clothes-lined a tandem with a bind back-rider.
It sounds like the cyclists are the arseholes for being on the pedestrian path but there is no need to lower yourself their level.
You would also feel really guilty and clothes-lined a tandem with a bind back-rider.
Mamamagpie [OP] 9 points 1y ago
That is what I tried, almost got run over, then two cyclists volunteered to be barricades.
vwlsmssng 4 points 1y ago
Is there some local cycling organisation who might know what was going on? It sounds like some sort of organised ride got onto the wrong path. You have a right to complain and kick up a fuss with whoever could look into this (and I like how this sub is supportive of justified rants.)
I hope this hasn't knocked your confidence and assert your right to get out there in reasonable safety.
I hope this hasn't knocked your confidence and assert your right to get out there in reasonable safety.
Mamamagpie [OP] 6 points 1y ago
I’ve been searching, but I have not found the group yet. Other citizens in my town said they saw one member of group throw a bottle at a pedestrian.
The pedestrian path is wider than they bike path, I think they were just being greedy. Why ride single file or in pairs when you can flood the pedestrian past.
The pedestrian path is wider than they bike path, I think they were just being greedy. Why ride single file or in pairs when you can flood the pedestrian past.
vwlsmssng 2 points 1y ago
Maybe a national organisation would be able to help you? I.m thinking both a blind related organisation and a national cycling organisation. Maybe someone on r/bike could give you advice? (I'm in the UK and I'm assuming you are in the USA.)
SoapyRiley 9 points 1y ago
I’d be worried about their velocity snapping the cane but otherwise I’m support of forcing them to keep their distance when using a pedestrian path.
Wolfocorn20 7 points 1y ago
Holding your cane up horizontally is not gonna do eather one any good.
I understand why you might wanna do that caz i had simular expiriances and it's really frustrating and scarry when a group of cyclists come at you at full speed.
I think the safest thing you can do is stap aside and shout at them thet they need to watch out and get off the pedestrian path.
Some cyclists are just so selfish and ignorant that except for geting a complaint out you can't do much
They are not worth getting your cane or bones broken over.
i'm sorry you had to go tru this.
I understand why you might wanna do that caz i had simular expiriances and it's really frustrating and scarry when a group of cyclists come at you at full speed.
I think the safest thing you can do is stap aside and shout at them thet they need to watch out and get off the pedestrian path.
Some cyclists are just so selfish and ignorant that except for geting a complaint out you can't do much
They are not worth getting your cane or bones broken over.
i'm sorry you had to go tru this.
Mamamagpie [OP] 6 points 1y ago
I tried, then gave up on stepping to the side, they were in front of me and to my left and right. I think that is the two good cyclists stopped in front of me and angled their bikes one to my right and the other to my left, like a spearhead aimed into the on coming flow of bike traffic.
The other cyclists had to ver away or run into the bikes that were shielding me.
I just know that I can’t count on being rescued in the future. Hope for the best, plan for the worst.
The other cyclists had to ver away or run into the bikes that were shielding me.
I just know that I can’t count on being rescued in the future. Hope for the best, plan for the worst.
Wolfocorn20 3 points 1y ago
Kinda makes you wonder who the blind once were in this situation.
Good thing those 2 stoped to help.
But it is as you say hope for the best, prepair for the worst.
i really hope you can find out who they are and atleast give them a peace of your mind but most of all that you never have to go tru that ever again .
Good thing those 2 stoped to help.
But it is as you say hope for the best, prepair for the worst.
i really hope you can find out who they are and atleast give them a peace of your mind but most of all that you never have to go tru that ever again .
Mamamagpie [OP] 5 points 1y ago
Still searching local bike groups. Also created a phone shortcut so it will start recording video on a verbal command. So I’ll have something to post online/show to the police. If it happens again.
TechnicalPragmatist 0 points 1y ago
It’s good a couple people were helpful., glory to God. But yeah, sometimes its just like you have to pray to God because only devine intervention could stop the madness.
Maybe yelling out something may help or something but that does sound super dangerous
Maybe yelling out something may help or something but that does sound super dangerous
BlindManOnFire 3 points 1y ago
Yes, you would be an asshole. You would rightly end up in jail.
And everyone on this thread who encouraged you to commit assault should go to jail with you for inciting you to commit violence.
Blindness is not an excuse to break the law. The cops won't see it that way. Neither will the judge.
Grow up.
And everyone on this thread who encouraged you to commit assault should go to jail with you for inciting you to commit violence.
Blindness is not an excuse to break the law. The cops won't see it that way. Neither will the judge.
Grow up.
Winnmark 3 points 1y ago
Preach!
Mamamagpie [OP] 1 points 1y ago
There is a difference between using my cane as pure shield and as a club. I’m not going telekineticly force them to ride into the cane, they cane ride around it and me. Now if I stood there swinging it trying to hit someone, that would be different.
But oh wise and old one, how would you suggest I protect myself if I find myself in the middle if bicycle version of the running of the bulls?
I refuse to become a hermit. I refuse to let the sighted drive me from one of most enjoyable places to walk in my town. So never going back to that path is a sacrifice I’m unwilling to make.
But oh wise and old one, how would you suggest I protect myself if I find myself in the middle if bicycle version of the running of the bulls?
I refuse to become a hermit. I refuse to let the sighted drive me from one of most enjoyable places to walk in my town. So never going back to that path is a sacrifice I’m unwilling to make.
Jello3899 0 points 1y ago
I mean should she just let the bikes trample her?
TechnicalPragmatist -1 points 1y ago
You should grow up!!!!! I mean there’s a difference between self defense and violence. Will police arrest someone for self defense. So you are telling a rape and murder victim to allow people to beat and rape them and not take out a knife, gun, pen, or use self defense to hurt them back and get free. Even the police say that self defense is important. I took a self defense class and I was told get them hurt so they can’t harm you send them to the hospital over you dying.
BlindManOnFire 2 points 1y ago
The self defense class you took was to protect you against attackers - not passing bicyclists.
TechnicalPragmatist -1 points 1y ago
Bicyclists who were pretty much not mindful and going to run the person over seem pretty attack like.
TXblindman 1 points 1y ago
Nah, do it. If cyclists don’t have the courtesy to announce themselves to a blind person, why should you have the courtesy to keep them on their bicycle.
Dry_Director_5320 0 points 1y ago
How else would you protect yourself? I say it’s a reasonable thing to do in that case
tickle_my_nose_hair -2 points 1y ago
What the fuck did i just read
K-R-Rose -1 points 1y ago
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