Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
Another Grumble
When young people (mainly boys ) arrive at a shop on their bicycles they often just dump their bikes flat on the pavement in the shop doorway while they go in to buy their " Boy's Own Paper" or Sherbet Sucker. This means that passers by have to struggle round or over the bikes, blind or partially-sighted people could easily fall over them and parents with a pushchair have a problem. It also argues a lack of respect for the expensive toy which their parents may have struggled to buy.
I have been tempted in the past to fling the bicycle under the wheels of a passing bus but there's never one around when you want one. Confronting the offender has had some success but I'm going to land in trouble one of these days. Education is the answer, but how to do it ?
I have been tempted in the past to fling the bicycle under the wheels of a passing bus but there's never one around when you want one. Confronting the offender has had some success but I'm going to land in trouble one of these days. Education is the answer, but how to do it ?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by John McMullan on
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Bicycle racks outside shops are the answer John...
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Permalink Reply by matt on
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Put on a superhero mask and cape, approach said youths with a little educational song about bike use, do a little dance, then disappear. You'll soon be all over the world via Youtube.
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Permalink Reply by Hugh on
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In thinking about this issue, I'm sure I should be focussing on the inconvenience such disorderly behaviour causes people with sight issues. Actually, for me what you've written paints such a wonderful timeless picture of untrammelled boyhood exuberance that I'd feel a bit of miz-guts to get too worked up about it.
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Permalink Reply by Steve Hatch on
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I have to throw my hands up John, I was one of these little tinkers (ahmm a few years back). Also just reminded me of the day I walked all the way home from the sweet shop (Lemon Bon Bons in hand) feeling like I'd forgotten something... my mum made me run all the way back to get my bike!
I used to think every grown up was old, and that all old people grumbled. Now I find that i'm grumbling away to myself a fair bit too, isn't that just the way it goes. I used to stand my bike upside down for some reason, see I had some standards.
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Permalink Reply by Louise Nazeraj on
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I'd just politely point out that someone might fall over it, without being confrontational. Chances are they haven't even thought of it being an inconvenience, their heads being full of sherbert and the like. I remember doing exactly the same when I was a kid I'm afraid. Adults and their tiresome frailties don't really enter your consciousness at that age!
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Permalink Reply by Old-Age-Emporium(OAE) on
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Not much sympathy from this lot, John D. No wonder the kids are the way they are with parents like these. I'll wager Arthur Astrop never dumped his bike like that back in the '20s. I'd say let the firstlings of your heart be the firstlings of your hand: just fling the offending article + owner under the nearest bus. (A bit difficult on Wightman Road, I agree.)
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You're much too kindearted, Ben.
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Hmm. I just wish I don't grow old exuding the bitterness you seem to do. Flinging people under buses indeed!
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First time's the hardest, Dewet. Soon it becomes second nature. Start practising now. You'll be glad you did.
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Permalink Reply by John D on
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You're all much nicer than me (except for OAE, who is a kindred spirit ).
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I pity them really, John. I'm afraid they're all victims of this paedocentric mush that's so hard to escape from these days.
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