Suicidal pedestrians.

[Guitana]

Any other Kbers come across this problem lately?
In the last month I have had four pedestrians bolt out in front of me,3 times in the Hilux and once on the bike.
One crazy asian lady just ran out in front of me without looking it was lucky I was watching her between the two parked cars as I approached.She had a look of complete surprise on her mug as my hilux slid to within two feet of her,priceless!!!! The last one was a jogger on the Petone foreshore ran across in front of the bike I was doing about 45 k and had ten metres to stop ended up with the back wheel in the air! And this prick gives me a filthy look!!
They seem to mostly be walking along and then just walk straight out onto pedestrian crossings without any concern for thier own safety never mind that the approaching vehicle has to go into emergency braking!!
Is it arrogance or are they just on P!! The next ones going to end up a hood ornament!!!!!!!

[magicfairy]

I find the worst is the girls txting on their phones, don't even look up as they step onto the road. Act all suprised when a vehicle nearly collides with them.
I like to beep the horn and call them "silly bitches" for all around to hear.

[ManDownUnder]

Yup. The RF's to quiet for it's own good sometimes - but an airhorn seems to have solved that problem.

I have a corner on the way to work which people will always just step off the road and walk right out into... I know to take it slow round there because there's always a surprise in store.

Mr Stieble (sp?) doesn't mind sharing that surprise however... very nice of him I think.

[Bloody Mad Woman (BMW)]

I was on a bus the other day and the bus driver had to slam on the anchors - a nutter decided to cross the road - he pulled back bloody quickly, hell it was close tho!

[Sniper]

My favourite are the courtesy crossings in blenheim. So many people think they are genuine crossings and will step out in front of anything, no matter how close it is.

Or the ones that decide to crose the road in front of you as your light changes to green and then get pissed off because you toot and inch forward

[jumma]

What pisses me off is the people who step halfway into an empty lane to cross the road when I want to change into it. And when I do they think i'm trying to hit them. Or they'll keep crossing anyway and almost walk into the side of me.

[placidfemme]

They seem to mostly be walking along and then just walk straight out onto pedestrian crossings without any concern for thier own safety never mind that the approaching vehicle has to go into emergency braking!!

I fully get what your saying, however, if your coming up to a pedestrian crossing YOU should be slowing down regardless, if you need to do emergency braking to stop then thats your problem, not the pedestrian.

I've nearly been hit many times at pedestrian crossings, the cagers just seem to think that becuse they know you've seen them that you (the pedestrian) should stop and wait for them to drive over the crossing, maybe one day I'll regret this, but I always make a point of crossing anyway and making the FUCKERS brake, and those that don't have recieved a boot in the door as they pass... funny enough none of them stop cause they know they are in the wrong... hope those wankers enjoy thier dents.

[Coyote]

Is it arrogance or are they just on P!! The next ones going to end up a hood ornament!!!!!!!
Arrogance mainly

Sometimes I wonder if convicts on P have more sense than the rest of the world...

[Ixion]

I say, take them out. I know they're only one point each, but the points add up. And in the time it takes to hunt down and take out bigger game, like a sprotsbike, you can snap up a dozen pedestrians. And with no risk of the target getting away (as,lets face it, occasionally the sprotsbikes do, leaving you with no return on all that effort).

But, gotta admit, a pedestrian stencil on the trophy list would be uncool. Just list them as "miscellaneous by catch, off quota"

[Guitana]

[QUOTE=placidfemme;917535]I fully get what your saying, however, if your coming up to a pedestrian crossing YOU should be slowing down regardless, if you need to do emergency braking to stop then thats your problem, not the pedestrian.

I hear you MS Placid but there's a diffrence between a person waiting for the traffic to stop and a dickhead walking out in front of you with only ten metres warning. I use crossings too you know and I would'nt cross without looking to see where the traffic was that's just sheer fucken stupidity ,and they're always keen to blame the motorist.If you can stop a 1 and a half ton hilux full of equipment in ten metres without going into a slide I really would like to see that!!!!
Evil motorist hits pedestrian on crossing never mind the poor bastard had no time to avoid the idiot!!!
Yeah the next ones getting stuffed and mounted on the front grille as a warning to the rest of them!!!!

BANZAI!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Beemer]

I think most people tend to look on pedestrian crossings as magical things that make them safe when they walk out in front of cars! I will slow down if I see someone waiting to cross, but I am not going to be impressed with anyone who walks straight out in the path of oncoming vehicles unless the crossing is one patrolled by lights. THEN they have absolute right of way.

I find turning your head slightly and keeping an eye on them with your peripheral vision works a treat - they can't be sure you have actually seen them and tend to not take the chance you haven't! A blast of the air horns and a one-fingered salute works well too. And I like the points system recommendation. How many points for teenagers? Old people?

[Guitana]

Yeah I don't know about you but I hate crossings and will always wait no matter what!!! I've had enough of spending months on end in a hospital in traction and unable to move and it always sucks when the ugly nurse with the B.O problems on night duty coz they wake you up to take your temperature and you think you're having a nightmare!!!!
Maybe they need a wake up a couple of skulls taped to the bullbars might do the trick!!!!

[SpankMe]

Even a train horn wont get their attention.

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=af5b0240f8

[Clockwork]

My favourite are the courtesy crossings in blenheim.....

Are these those raised section of road that conecting two footpaths across a road? if so, what exactly is their legal status, are they pedestian crossings or not?

[SpankMe]

Only if it has a zebra crossing on it.

[Cibby]

i go down queen street and shortland street in teh city a lot, and tonne of peds just keep walking across the roads and they give you filthy looks if you drive normally up the intersection where they are walking, i tend to just drive through them with the horn going, that helps..

they are all pretty dumb thou,

i especially hate the ones that walk slowley and arrogantly insinuating that they have the right to casually stroll accross the road.

bastards..

[vifferman]

Only if it has a zebra crossing on it.
And the appropriate signage (diamond mark on the road before hand, signs, etc.)
I think (from what I've heard, no personal experience) in some countries it's normal for pedestrians to just wander out onto the road and expect vehicles to manouevre around them. Also, for some reason Chinese people seem to have inordinately bad spatial awareness. Yes, that's a racist comment from the point of view that it's directed at one race of people, but it's true! I've noticed time and again that when walking along behind Chinese people, they are totally unaware you're there, and wander into your path. The same is true if you're on a drive or something shared by pedestrians and cars, such as a carpark. And when driving, they are similarly unaware and are also unable to judge distances and sizes. I experienced this just today, when the car in front of me had room to fit between a car turning right and the curb, but the driver (Asian gentleman) just sat there until it had gone.

Anyway, don't run over pedestrians on your bike. It makes a big mess.

[Disco Dan]

riding along symonds street last week, some asian student with ipod walks out in front of me... slam on the horn but he could not hear me. as im braking and move behind his path of travel he sees me. I shake my head... look up ahead to see a car just about to do a u-turn in front of me... if i had not of slowed down for the student... that would have been it...

[jrandom]

People stepping out on zebra crossings when you approach in a motor vehicle?

Luxury.

Try dealing with blind-Asian-pedestrian behaviour while whooshing silently through town in the left side of your lane at 40kph on a 2cm² contact patch.

I should try riding with coal up my arse and selling the diamonds when I get home every night.

[Lissa]

My favourite are the courtesy crossings in blenheim. So many people think they are genuine crossings and will step out in front of anything, no matter how close it is.

We have those in Masterton... in the main street, they are only Courtesy Crossings.. and should be taken that way, unfortuantly alot of people treat them AS proper crossings. Although the reason could be there are NO Zebra crossing at all along the main street from one side of the street to the other... stupid really.

[Coyote]

Even a train horn wont get their attention.

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=af5b0240f8
Whatdoyaknow, I have a morbid curiosity

It's incredible how they fly away like that. What was that guy doing video taping that area anyway?

[Joni]

If pedestrians have right of way... I will accomodate them 100%

However I really dislike it when people think they have more of a right to be on the road than the vehicles.... I slow down enough not to hurt them, and give me time to react, but I dont stop, I just move through the buggers... I often get a dirty look.. but the "you gonna f**k with me?" look on my face usually gets them to run across the rest of the road.

One of my pet peeves that....

Yeah yeah, I know Im a cranky cow at times!

[Guitana]

The fucked up thing is it's adults that are doing this,not kids! I think that the kiddies are well schooled in road safety these days and actually pay attention to whats happening on the road!!
The adults should lead by example!
Most bike horns are a joke no chance of a cage driver hearing ya or a pedestrian!!
I think all Kiwi drivers should start a campaign of terror at all pedestrian crossings and bring back the fear.Joe publics just getting too cocky on the Zebra crossing!!!!!

[Guitana]

My favourite are the courtesy crossings in blenheim. So many people think they are genuine crossings and will step out in front of anything, no matter how close it is.

Yeah I lived in Bleheim for 4 years and the town centre is a complete fuckup but not as dangerous as the roundabout on state hway 1 near the New world it's got a railway line running through the middle of it! Apparently designed by a civil engineer in Auckland!! Good one Bro way to use that engineering degree!

[Coyote]

It's worse when you're a cyclist. I used to always have to go to school by bicycle untill I moved to a house closer to a bus stop (then I got the bike). I would always get peope walking onto the road expecting you to either stop or make a path around them. They obviously saw you, even some of the homies gave a arrogant smirk to show how awesome they are

It's even happened once or twice on the RG down main street. They see you, continue walking at their own pace and look at you dirty as you stop for them.

Ever seeing Zoids I've wanted to get sythes mounted to the side of my bike

[Motu]

I fully get what your saying, however, if your coming up to a pedestrian crossing YOU should be slowing down regardless, if you need to do emergency braking to stop then thats your problem, not the pedestrian.

I've nearly been hit many times at pedestrian crossings, the cagers just seem to think that becuse they know you've seen them that you (the pedestrian) should stop and wait for them to drive over the crossing, maybe one day I'll regret this, but I always make a point of crossing anyway and making the FUCKERS brake, and those that don't have recieved a boot in the door as they pass... funny enough none of them stop cause they know they are in the wrong... hope those wankers enjoy thier dents.

This is exactly the kind of arogance we are talking about,I hope it was a piss take.Check out a school crossing - they wait for a suitable space before putting out the signs,to give the cars time to respond....then when all cars have stopped then the kids are allowed to cross the road.Ordinary humans should do the same.

[gijoe1313]

I was down Wellywood in Lyall Bay, pootling along merrily in the night ... I had a green signal and proceeded to move forward...and two d**kwads decided they'd play chicken with me and crossed the road directly.

Fair enuff, wasn't worth my while to hit them - so I pootle every so slowly behind both of them (they had smirks on their face...)

And then I give it handful just as my exhausts are level with them ... :lol: Fark me if they didn't jump the rest of the way to the curb! Guess they weren't expecting that :whistle: :innocent: One of them had actually tripped up in his fright and was splayed out in the gutter :woohoo: ... or so I could gather looking into my left mirror as I pootled away :innocent:

Then one time (at band camp...) I had finished installing the Stebel horn of loudy loud loudness and I was itching to use it (why is it when you have something kewl to use, hardly any opportunity arises!? :brick: ) Anyhows, a week later ... and a peddy sees me out in Queen St (by the theatres) and still decided to do the "he'll stop since it's not worth his while to hit me" thing.

:devil2: I cruise slowly up...and give him a 2 second earful on the old Stebel...and did he ever get a fright :lol: he half stumbled/ran to the other side while everyone in hearing distance turned to look...just as he collected the median strip curb and fell face first into the foliage! :Punk:

I pootled on by and lane-split to the intersection :innocent: look on my face.

[Ixion]

I don't see such behaviour much. Noone ever does such things to me when I'm on the BMW. I imagine it is my austere dignity that commands respect.

But a few months ago , one evening, I was tootling through the shops on the ffwabbit. Noone much about at that time of night, tootle gently up toward the pedestrian crossing, and a couple of youff clearly decided to do the " lets leap out in front of the motorbike and hope he falls off doing a crash stop" thing.

So instead of going for a big handful of brake (they literally leapt onto the crossing), I nipped up onto the footpath, round behind them , and back onto the road.Didn't bother to slow down, or speed up. As I tootled off I saw the two standing on the crossing staring. I don't like emergency braking.

I had my story ready "I could not stop safely in time officer, they ought not to have attempted to cross, so I took the course of action that was best in the interest of the safety of all concerned. "

That's the thing about a chookchaser. You can chase the chooks wherever they run.

[SPman]

but I am not going to be impressed with anyone who walks straight out in the path of oncoming vehicles unless the crossing is one patrolled by lights. THEN they have absolute right of way.

Not when they are crossing against the f**king lights, they haven't! :nono:

One new GSXR1000 - 200m from the dealers (ie - cold oily slippery tyres) - 1 braindead businesswoman in a hurry walking out in front of me = 1 scratched and bent new GSXR!!

She's f**king lucky she picked up her speed and pissed off as I slid across the intersection - THEN she'd have been late for her meeting, or whatever!!

[Goblin]

And the appropriate signage (diamond mark on the road before hand, signs, etc.)
Anyway, don't run over pedestrians on your bike. It makes a big mess.
It seems no one has ever heard of this concept! Long ago, they used to teach this in schools. The diamond on the road is supposed to be the point where if a pedestrian sees a vehicle close to, or past the diamond, the pedestrian should stop and wait for the vehicle to pass. It's much harder to bring any vehicle to a stop than it is to stop walking. Common sense really.

I just blast my horn and yell abuse when pedestrians walk out in front of me.

[SlashWylde]

Buy a Stebel. Scare the shit out of them from a safe distance.

[Marmoot]

Any other Kbers come across this problem lately?
In the last month I have had four pedestrians bolt out in front of me,3 times in the Hilux and once on the bike.
One crazy asian lady just ran out in front of me without looking it was lucky I was watching her between the two parked cars as I approached.She had a look of complete surprise on her mug as my hilux slid to within two feet of her,priceless!!!! The last one was a jogger on the Petone foreshore ran across in front of the bike I was doing about 45 k and had ten metres to stop ended up with the back wheel in the air! And this prick gives me a filthy look!!
They seem to mostly be walking along and then just walk straight out onto pedestrian crossings without any concern for thier own safety never mind that the approaching vehicle has to go into emergency braking!!
Is it arrogance or are they just on P!! The next ones going to end up a hood ornament!!!!!!!

Im doing a survey on this.
Could you give us the race of the other three beside that fucken asian lady pls?

[Swoop]

Long ago, they used to teach this in schools. The diamond on the road is supposed to be the point where if a pedestrian sees a vehicle close to, or past the diamond, the pedestrian should stop and wait for the vehicle to pass. It's much harder to bring any vehicle to a stop than it is to stop walking.
Very well said Goblin! The pedestrian crossing was a "safe area to cross the road" but only when it is safe to do so.
The population that has migrated here since the 70's may have differing perceptions of this however.
They will also have missed out on the white lines painted in the center of the footpaths (anyone remember them up Queen St???) and pedestrians would "keep left" when on foot.


The good thing is the left hand is free from the throttle and also closest to pedestrians heads when they walk out without looking...:Punk:

[vifferman]

Y'know, I think that having school patrols put out the signs only when there's nothing coming is teaching motorists bad habits, so a lot of them don't stop at pedestrian crossings (esp. near schools) when they should.

Y'now (II) I'm rather surprised that you lot are surprised that pedestrians are so crap at pedestrianing, given how standards have fallen in all areas of road use. What else would you expect?

[placidfemme]

This is exactly the kind of arogance we are talking about,I hope it was a piss take.Check out a school crossing - they wait for a suitable space before putting out the signs,to give the cars time to respond....then when all cars have stopped then the kids are allowed to cross the road.Ordinary humans should do the same.

Its not a pisstake, and I don't care if it comes across as arrogant, at the end of the day the driver/rider should be watching out ahead, scanning the road and sidepaths for ANY sign of someone/thing suddenly coming into his/her path. The law is to come up to the crossing with caution therefore slow down when approaching a pedestrian crossing. In the eyes of the law the whole "they came out of nowhere" excuse along with everything along those lines (they were just standing there... didn't think they were going to cross etc) is negligence on the rider/drivers part. If you as a rider/driver hit anyone at a pedestrian crossing you are liable by law.

In most areas where there are pedestrian crossing the speed limit is 50kph (other than schools, which I now believe is 45kph during certain hours). If you are abiding by the law and travelling at the legal limit and scanning the road ahead for possible danger, there should be no case of emergency braking.

In your post you stated the way the schools use pedestrian crossings, and thats correct, to protect children, extra care should be taken. If a pedestrian waited at the side of the road for the cars to stop, not many cars would. That is why the law states that when someone is on the crossing the vehicles should stop and wait until the pedestrian is past that side of the road, or the whole lenght of the road depending on the pedestrian crossing. Or you could use your own personal time and money to talk the government into using more of our taxes to bubblewrap the public and have pedestrian crossing wardens at EVERY crossing nationwide...

IMO The way that some of you are going on about this is pretty sad, would you prefer that they install flashing lights and bells like at a rail crossing just so you don't have to look after your own life and watch the fucking road and any obstacles that may cross your path.

Dunno what you were insinuating by your "ordinary humans" post, but if you have something to say just say it.

[Guitana]

Im doing a survey on this.
Could you give us the race of the other three beside that fucken asian lady pls?

Two european males one was a marathon runner by the looks (looked like death on legs) all older more mature experienced fuckwits!! And one not so bad looking Brunette mid twenties with a surprised look on her face!!!
Like a possum in my headlights! But the Asian lady looked like Kim Jong Ils Twin sister, running her over might've improved her looks!!!

[jrandom]

Im doing a survey on this.

Get over it, dude. Go to mainland China, sit by a major road, and just watch for a while.

I recommend the fucking huge intersection in Zhangmutou with an open space the size of a soccer field, about eight large feeder streets, and no traffic flow control whatsoever.

It's nothing personal. Just a combination of a lack of education and a cutural obsession with fatalism.

[jrandom]

Its not a pisstake...

Good lord. That was the most coherent, grammatical and persuasive post you've managed in quite some time.

We must try and get you pissed off more often.

[placidfemme]

Good lord. That was the most coherent, grammatical and persuasive post you've managed in quite some time.

We must try and get you pissed off more often.


lol glad to hear it. No-one on KB has seen me even close to pissed (drunk or angry... whichever) and it'll stay that way I guess.

[Marmoot]

Get over it, dude. Go to mainland China, sit by a major road, and just watch for a while.

I recommend the fucking huge intersection in Zhangmutou with an open space the size of a soccer field, about eight large feeder streets, and no traffic flow control whatsoever.

It's nothing personal. Just a combination of a lack of education and a cutural obsession with fatalism.

You talking about Auckland?

[Marmoot]

Two european males one was a marathon runner by the looks (looked like death on legs) all older more mature experienced fuckwits!! And one not so bad looking Brunette mid twenties with a surprised look on her face!!!
Like a possum in my headlights! But the Asian lady looked like Kim Jong Ils Twin sister, running her over might've improved her looks!!!

Thank's for the details. I almost missed the majority in my survey.

[Motu]

Its not a pisstake,
.

Oh dear,such is the way people think these days.I hope you have time to kick at a B train when you jump out in front of it not giving the driver time to react.

[Guitana]

Its not a pisstake, and I don't care if it comes across as arrogant, at the end of the day the driver/rider should be watching out ahead, scanning the road and sidepaths for ANY sign of someone/thing suddenly coming into his/her path. The law is to come up to the crossing with caution therefore slow down when approaching a pedestrian crossing. In the eyes of the law the whole "they came out of nowhere" excuse along with everything along those lines (they were just standing there... didn't think they were going to cross etc) is negligence on the rider/drivers part. If you as a rider/driver hit anyone at a pedestrian crossing you are liable by law.

In most areas where there are pedestrian crossing the speed limit is 50kph (other than schools, which I now believe is 45kph during certain hours). If you are abiding by the law and travelling at the legal limit and scanning the road ahead for possible danger, there should be no case of emergency braking.

Yeah I get your point but why would a normal human being put themselves in harms way walking & running out in front of large vehicles? To prove a point? You are right we should give way to pedestrians at all times but when they endanger other motorists on the road by crossing without looking they not only put their lives at risk but the lives of the motorists having to stop or swerve suddenly!! I was doing 45k and aware of the crossing and still had to pull hard on the picks to stop!!

[placidfemme]

Oh dear,such is the way people think these days.I hope you have time to kick at a B train when you jump out in front of it not giving the driver time to react.

Stop making up things old man, where did I say I jump out infront of anyone/thing? You are making a broad assumption based on nothing.

This is what I said:


I've nearly been hit many times at pedestrian crossings, the cagers just seem to think that becuse they know you've seen them that you (the pedestrian) should stop and wait for them to drive over the crossing, maybe one day I'll regret this, but I always make a point of crossing anyway and making the FUCKERS brake, and those that don't have recieved a boot in the door as they pass... funny enough none of them stop cause they know they are in the wrong... hope those wankers enjoy thier dents.

"Should Stop" - This implies that I am already on the crossing - not waiting to deliberatley JUMP out at some poor unsuspecting rider/driver.

I'd rather be open-minded and logical than narrow-minded like yourself, but you keep on making your assumptions, afterall such is the way people think these days isn't it?

[jrandom]

You talking about Auckland?

You are not intelligent.

You do not make up for that by being funny.

I therefore condemn you to perpetual irrelevance.

You could try doing a Michael Jackson, I suppose. Bleach your skin and undergo plastic surgery to turn you into a caricature of a white man. Perhaps you'd then feel secure enough to stop being so ridiculously fucking snotty and oversensitive.

[jrandom]

old man... narrow-minded...

If I were Motu, being on the receiving end of this sort of ridiculous accusation would really upset me.

[Sniper]

Are these those raised section of road that conecting two footpaths across a road? if so, what exactly is their legal status, are they pedestian crossings or not?

Those are them. You are not obliged to stop at all unless you are feeling courteous.

[Ixion]

From the Road Code


11. Other road users
Pedestrians
Pedestrian crossings

If you are within 20 metres of a pedestrian crossing, you must use the crossing to cross the road.
Don't walk slowly on a pedestrian crossing.
You must not step out suddenly onto a pedestrian crossing if any vehicles are so close to the crossing that they cannot stop.

[placidfemme]

If I were Motu, being on the receiving end of this sort of ridiculous accusation would really upset me.

If your going to dish it out be prepared to take it too. If he can make unfounded assumptions in his posts so can I... isn't it great living in a free world? :whocares:

[Beemer]

Not when they are crossing against the f**king lights, they haven't! :nono:

I didn't mean morons who cross against the lights, I meant pedestrians who have the right of way at crossings patrolled by traffic lights (like the ones along Rangitikei Street in Palmerston North) WHEN the lights have changed in their favour and the little green man is showing!

[jrandom]

If your going to dish it out be prepared to take it too.

:corn: :corn:

[Ixion]

Get over it, dude. Go to mainland China, sit by a major road, and just watch for a while.

I recommend the fucking huge intersection in Zhangmutou with an open space the size of a soccer field, about eight large feeder streets, and no traffic flow control whatsoever.

It's nothing personal. Just a combination of a lack of education and a cutural obsession with fatalism.
Well, Shanghai had some big intersections. And a lot of traffic. And even more pedestrians (me being one of them).

It also had, at every intersection, little dudes in uniforms. Various uniforms, in different colours. Some with guns, some without. But they ALL had whistles. Which they blew, very loudly , at frequent intervals - a second or so. But all out of phase with each other. So at any moment, some uniformed dude would bewhistling. Usually, several dudes.

There were no crossings. The pedestrians just built up on the footpaths until there was a vast sea of humanity. Then suddenly, the dykes would burst and the human sea would surge irresistably in a great wave across the intersection.

Cars would stop: they had no choice. Frequently, they would be trapped amidst the tide of people, who would flow round the trapped vehicles.

Then , as suddenly, the flow would stop. The pedestrians would start to accumulate on the footpath again. The intersection would clear. The vehicles would resume their progress.

The sudden start and stop certainly had no connection with any of the numerous traffic lights. In fact the traffic lights did not actually appear to control ANYTHING. Their role appeared entirely decorative. "Oh, pretty. Flashing lights "

It is tempting to assume that it was in some way controlled by one, or more, of the whistling dudes. But I could see no correlation. While the pedestrians accumulated , the dudes whistled . When the dyke broke, the dudes whistled.They whistled while engulfed by the seething Chinese mass (me, a lonely Gwailho figure in the middle). They whistled when the tide stopped.

I don't think the whistling actually DID anything. I think it was just a role they played. "Here, oh glorious comrade of the Revolution, is a Peoples' Whistle. Go forth , and whistle"

I do not know what triggered the flood. Or the cease. Unscrutable folk.

But certainly Asian pedestrian customs have NO relevance to our crossings.

[jrandom]

suddenly, the dykes would burst...

Giggle.

Can I be the boy who puts his finger in the crack?


certainly Asian pedestrian customs have NO relevance to our crossings.

You speak troof.

[placidfemme]

Giggle.

Can I be the boy who puts his finger in the crack?



lol you've been talking to my gran havn't you?

[Joni]

Fish I think you should leave your finger out of this conversation :bleh:

[jrandom]

I just gotta ask.

Does anyone else have a mental picture of placidfemme stepping out in front of a road train to an INXS soundtrack (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suicide_Blonde)?

[Guitana]

I just gotta ask.

Does anyone else have a mental picture of placidfemme stepping out in front of a road train to an INXS soundtrack (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suicide_Blonde)?

Do you mean suicide blonde?????

[Clockwork]

Those are them. You are not obliged to stop at all unless you are feeling courteous.

I suspected as much but I'm puzzled; if the authorities want a pedestrian crossing there, then why don't they put one there? Otherwise pedestrians will saunter out on to these pseudo crossings in the mistaken belief that they are protected by an invisible cloak of righteousness.

[jrandom]

... pedestrians will saunter out on to these pseudo crossings in the mistaken belief that they are protected by an invisible cloak of righteousness.

That, good sir, is why I always wear a highly visible cloak of righteousness.

Mine is pink, with yellow trimmings and little spangly bits in the collar area.

[Guitana]

That, good sir, is why I always wear a highly visible cloak of righteousness.

Mine is pink, with yellow trimmings and little spangly bits in the collar area.

Yeah mines bright blue and repels semi trailers with a flash of golden light!!!
Similar to Harry Potters cloak of invisability! Man you could get into some shit with that!!!

[MisterD]

but not as dangerous as the roundabout on state hway 1 near the New world it's got a railway line running through the middle of it! Apparently designed by a civil engineer in Auckland!!

Might be a problem if you got more than one train a day in each direction in this country...

[jrandom]

Yeah mines bright blue and repels semi trailers with a flash of golden light!!!
Similar to Harry Potters cloak of invisability!

Harry Potters cloak of invisability totally doesnt repel semi trailers with a flash of golden light!!!
U r mistaken dude!!!! You obviously have a different cloak!!

[Guitana]

Harry Potters cloak of invisability totally doesnt repel semi trailers with a flash of golden light!!!
U r mistaken dude!!!! You obviously have a different cloak!!

Have you ever seen him try he's the top wizard in all the UK sure fucked Lord Voldamort good and proper!!!

[Guitana]

Might be a problem if you got more than one train a day in each direction in this country...

Especially if the Loco drivers asleep!!

[jrandom]

sure fucked Lord Voldamort good and proper!!!

Well, then, I hope he used appropriate protection and didn't give a fake phone number.

[MisterD]

I suspected as much but I'm puzzled; if the authorities want a pedestrian crossing there, then why don't they put one there? Otherwise pedestrians will saunter out on to these pseudo crossings in the mistaken belief that they are protected by an invisible cloak of righteousness.

If you go to places with a high standard of driving, cycling and pedestrianing(say the Netherlands) the finding has been that removing road markings and introducing a level of uncertainty has lead to an increased standard of driving...of course when faced with the incompetence of the average Kiwi driver (and they look down on Asians!) it all falls apart.

[jrandom]

(and they look down on Asians!)

Only because they're really short.

I like Chinese.
They only come up to your knees...

[MisterD]

I like Chinese.
They only come up to your knees...

[But] They come from a long way overseas.

[Hitcher]

What amuses me are women pushing prams who will stand on the kerb in readiness to cross the road, with young Kylie or Josh stuck out in front of them in their strollers. I suppose while they're doing this they're not driving SUVs...

[Sniper]

Only because they're really short.

I like Chinese.
They only come up to your knees...

Hmmm, John Cleese song. I have that stored away somewhere

[McJim]

Must confess I've never noticed - I apply British rules to zebra crossings though - As you approach you look to see if any pedestrians are waiting or approaching the crossing. If so then slow down and prepare to stop - in UK you must be going slow enough to stop at a pedestrian crossing should someone "suicidally" leap out.

Pedestrians ultimately have right of way in most situations in UK - especially at ALL junctions (with the exception of motorays) I take it from many responses that either:

a/ The rules of the road a VERY different here
b/ some people on KB don't have a fucken clue about how to drive or ride in cities.

[klingon]

Must confess I've never noticed - I apply British rules to zebra crossings though - As you approach you look to see if any pedestrians are waiting or approaching the crossing. If so then slow down and prepare to stop - in UK you must be going slow enough to stop at a pedestrian crossing should someone "suicidally" leap out.

Pedestrians ultimately have right of way in most situations in UK - especially at ALL junctions (with the exception of motorays) I take it from many responses that either:

a/ The rules of the road a VERY different here
b/ some people on KB don't have a fucken clue about how to drive or ride in cities.

the answer is
a/ and
b/

Pedestrians don't have right of way at all junctions (unlike in a lot of European countries). BUT also a lot of kiwi drivers (and KB is probably a fairly good representation in this case) think they can do what they like and everyone else should get out of their way.

What's so hard about treating a pedestrian crossing like a give way sign? If there's something coming, you have to give way to it. If you're going too fast to give way then you're doing something wrong.

I agree that pedestrians also have to take responsibility and look after themselves, it's just a shame that once more it seems like the more vulnerable road users have to take most of the responsibility because they're the ones who get hurt if others ignore the rules. Sound familiar? :yes:

[jrandom]

John Cleese song.

Eric Idle would be rolling in his grave, if he were dead.

[Sniper]

Eric Idle would be rolling in his grave, if he were dead.

Hmmm, that true according to google. I have a monty python cd with that song on it

[pixc]

BF has a rule. If hes passed the diamond on the road before a pedestrian is within a metre of the crossing he will not stop. Ped's will wait. Its in their best interest to. If hes before the diamond and ped's are nearer the crossing he slows down to allow them safe crossing. I will wait at crossing until the vehicle allows me right of way. Generally works for me. As for those raised crossings with no zebra lines, they give me the shits. I slow down just in case. I dont give a shit who has right of way bla bla bla...I dont want to run someone over even if they are arrogant teenaged shits that think they own the place.

[Fat Tony]

I hit a lady a few years ago (on the bike). I was in a long moving queue of traffic between a car (in front) and a wagon (to the rear) all doing about 30mph in a 40mph zone. As I approached, she was looking right at me (so I thought, but it would appear it was the wagon behind me actually). Despite the fact that I was wearing a full fluoro jacket, when I got to about 5 metres away from her she just ran out in front of me... did all I could to avoid her but with the road being really greasy, I unfortunately clipped her with the right hand side of the front fairing as the bike went down.

She was really apologetic... sorry love didn't see you... all my fault.. God, look at your bike, I'm so very sorry etc etc etc

Next day I got a phone call from the insurance and she'd completely changed tack... "Yes, he was definitely speeding... overtook the lorry and wasn't there when I looked blah blah blah"

Thankfully the wagon driver witnessed evrything and his statement confirmed that I hadn't stood a chance of avoiding her.

God I really wish I'd hit her harder, lol

[Clockwork]

That, good sir, is why I always wear a highly visible cloak of righteousness.

Mine is pink, with yellow trimmings and little spangly bits in the collar area.

Yes I think I've seens yours, its very impressive!

[lb99]

...not as dangerous as the roundabout on state hway 1 near the New world it's got a railway line running through the middle of it!!

do you mean this one?, piece of piss man, no worries, I'll strap the camera to the bike and post a vid of how to do it properly, you have to charge it, just like in india or something, no one knows what the fuck they are doing, so it kinda works out ok

that roundabout stops my missus from doing a runner in my car, she's scared silly of it, and will do anything to avoid it

ps, its not flat either, its wickedly off camber with raised railway tracks in the middle, and wood to ride over too.....great fun

[Guitana]

do you mean this one?, piece of piss man, no worries, I'll strap the camera to the bike and post a vid of how to do it properly, you have to charge it, just like in india or something, no one knows what the fuck they are doing, so it kinda works out ok

that roundabout stops my missus from doing a runner in my car, she's scared silly of it, and will do anything to avoid it

ps, its not flat either, its wickedly off camber with raised railway tracks in the middle, and wood to ride over too.....great fun

Yeah make sure you do it at pace and at least ten times round!!! I look forward to the video clip with childesh glee!!!!!

[lb99]

uhhhh, at pace....Z200 ..... maybe..

10 times round is asking for it I think, give me some time to set up the camera, not this week though

[Guitana]

uhhhh, at pace....Z200 ..... maybe..

10 times round is asking for it I think, give me some time to set up the camera, not this week though

Well I'm coming down in April on the bike so we'll do it together the first one to can off buys the beers!!!!!!!!!!!

[vifferman]

If you go to places with a high standard of driving, cycling and pedestrianing(say the Netherlands) the finding has been that removing road markings and introducing a level of uncertainty has lead to an increased standard of driving.
True, dat.
In the Murka, they have no roundabouts, fewer traffic signals per bushel of road, and lots of stop signs, which work mostly on the "Who was here firstest?" principle. It all seems to functiuon mostly rather splendidly.

I guess in the Final Anal Ysis, there's a high chance someone'll shoot you if you drive badly there.
In Murkaland.