Forum Topic

Road Safety for Older Adults Workshop 26-1-23

Do come to our workshop - provided by Mairi McLeod for LB Hounslow - on road safety for older adults at 11.30 am on Thursday 26th January at the Friendship Club, Oxford Road North, W4 4DN.  We are just off Chiswick High Road opposite the Clayton Hotel.  Gunnersbury station.  Buses H91, 110, 237, 267 and 440.  Free and open to all.  More info: email us on ageconcernchiswick@outlook.com or call 020 8742 7007

Age Concern Chiswick ● 851d14 Comments

I notice today a post by someone about crossing using the A4 underpass and not hearing a bicycle approaching from behind.  Cyclists approaching from behind is one of my bugbears.  I agree that courteous cyclists should ring a bell or make enough of a noise to make their presence known.  When you are near a busy noisy road in particular it is very disturbing when they whizz by so close that the first you know is when you feel the air movement as they actually pass and you know if you had stepped just a little to the left or right you would have been hit.  I know not all cyclists agree or want to do this but I would so appreciate the warning!  (And there is a new Highway Code which mentions how cyclists should behave.)I've also found it useful when children's bikes or scooters jangle when they are approaching from behind as I am more likely to be made aware of them and can make allowances as I am not as good at jumping out of the way any more.

Philippa Bond ● 843d

It is cyclists approaching from behind when we are walking on the pavement.  We were always taught to walk on the pavement facing the oncoming traffic on the road but we are often dodging pedestrians and cyclists coming towards us. Bi-directional cycles on the road should make no difference so long as they stay on the road and don't try and suddenly take shortcuts across the pavement just in front of you on the pavement. Junctions are where extra care is needed - whatever the Highway Code says!  We were all taught and should remember to look both ways crossing roads as motorised traffic often reverses and roads are sometimes two way for cycles and only one way for motors.

Philippa Bond ● 845d

I quite agree.  They should not be on the pavement at all.  On other footpaths, such as by the river, it would greatly help if they would use their bells and not assume they will be heard.

Age Concern Chiswick ● 845d

Good question!  Our charity, when set up in the '50s, catered for anyone over 50, believe it or not.  Now our clientele are at least 25 years older than that in general, though technically membership is still open to 50+s.  I think, though, that the council's criteria for the workshop is really for the elderly who may have mobility issues, hearing or sight loss etc. Do come and find out more.

Age Concern Chiswick ● 845d

That used to be a rule most of us followed John, but what are pedestrians meant to do in Chiswick now? We have a bi-directional cycle lane right trough the centre of town, crossings where red lights are ignored by many cyclists, very little time is given anyway for people to cross at Dukes Avenue and there is no longer a refuge in the middle of the crossings between Turnham Green Terrace and Heathfield Terrace. It is an extremely unsafe and threatening environment

Mandy Waters ● 845d

Wherever possible pedestrians should walk on pavements on the left hand side so that those facing the oncoming traffic are closest to it and those with their backs to the oncoming traffic are furthest from it (adjust for one way streets).this will make it less likely for anyone to step into an oncoming vehicle or bike.I hope that Age Concern will include this advice in their talk.

John Ridout ● 845d

Cyclists approaching pedestrians from behind on the pavement are a danger to themselves as well as pedestrians.  Many pedestrians are not able to just jump out of the way and if those pedestrians were to make a step to the side and collide with that cyclist approaching from behind the cyclist could easily end up in the road right in the path of faster moving vehicles.  There are a lot of people could do with understanding what is happening on the roads better!

Philippa Bond ● 846d

If only the cyclists would use the cycle lane it would make safety easier for everyone.

Janice Evans ● 846d

from my experience with neighbour's although they faced many changes during a lifetime they find it difficult to adjust to changes in old age so think this will be of benefit to them and give them the confidence to venture out again.

Janice Evans ● 846d

Do please clarify the qualifying criteria for ‘older adults’ is. Age? Retirement? There are plenty of ‘older adults’ still in full time employment and using the roads for that purpose.

Simon Hayes ● 846d

Thank you for the wise words, Philippa!  Do come and find out next week.

Age Concern Chiswick ● 847d

Really?  The elderly are far more likely to have seen more chamge in their lives than many of us. Can you imagine putting an 18 year old nowadays in charge of flying a bomber?  We're now sending them off to university unable to cook their own breakfast!

Philippa Bond ● 848d

No need for this if they just got rid of the cycle lanes. They are very dangerous for the elderly/disabled/those with sight issues. No one cares about them as long as young fit people can cycle.

Claire Moran ● 849d

Do you know what you don't know?  Maybe you do and maybe you don't but here's at least a chance to find out!

Philippa Bond ● 849d