Be careful on the pavements...

[eastdulwichimp]

Word to the wise: please be careful if you’re around Dulwich Village during the school run. 

While walking on the pavement down Carlton Avenue this morning c. 8.45am, I was hit from behind by a child riding a bicycle. When I raised this with his father, he (the father) behaved inappropriately. I highlight the following tactics deployed against me, so if you choose to say anything, you may come off better in any exchange than I.

The father chose to make it more about how I reacted, rather than what had happened, namely that his son was riding on a pavement, seemingly without supervision, out of his father’s line of sight.

The father claimed I was over-reacting, said that his son was 4-years old and didn’t do it deliberately. He didn’t ask me if I was alright. And apologised with a ‘but’: “I’m sorry if he hit your leg, but your reaction is over the top.” 

He took no responsibility for his child’s action or his lack of parental supervision. As I walked away, I heard him and two other adults talking and laughing about my reaction – yes, laughing. 

I don’t think he or his son learned anything useful from the incident about keeping themselves and others safe, such that it would change their behaviour. I did and share it here as to place, time, nature of incident, minimising tactics etc. as a heads-up to others.

I didn’t sustain any injuries or damage to my clothing or property. Others who are older/younger, have mobility issues, walk with buggies, children, pets etc. may fare differently. Forewarned is forearmed, guys.

[mitchiner]

Its a mistake a 4 year old made 😂😂😂 forget it and move on

[Ryelander]

Maybe a slight overreaction? at least the child hadn't learned the art of grabbing your phone just yet!😉

[Penguin68]

48 minutes ago, mitchiner said:

Its a mistake a 4 year old made

I think the point is that it was a mistake that the child's parent made, who should have been observing his child, training and teaching it appropriate and safe cycling  and been seen apologising for what was obviously not intentional but still 'wrong' cycling. His attitude didn't correct, but rather endorsed poor cycling behaviour. 

[malumbu]

It's a four year old.  You should have got an apology but we are taking your word for what happened.

ie how you handled the aftermath.

[alice]

What a revolting response. 
Coincidentally the almost exact same thing happened to me with a slightly older child, maybe six - the parent and friends seem to think it was OK. It wasn’t funny. It was very painful thoughtless and ignorant.

[CPR Dave]

Assume the parent was also on a bicycle?

[Jules-and-Boo]

Really shitty parenting, and sad level of arrogance. 
Some people are just not very nice and have no manners

 

[Dogkennelhillbilly]

3 hours ago, eastdulwichimp said:

When I raised this with his father, he (the father) behaved inappropriately.

Sorry to hear you got a bump. There are people out there who could experience serious consequences from what would be a fairly minor stumble for other people, it's true. 

If you're raising it for discussion, how did you "raise it" with the guy? How do you think a neutral onlooker would have described the scene?

[Sue]

Seems to be a lot of victim blaming going on here.

Clearly a four year old child should not be riding a bike on a pavement out of sight of the adult who is supposed to be caring for him.

Also clearly if the child ran into somebody from behind, he is not ready to be riding a bike in a place where people may be walking.

Quite apart from the adult who in this case could have been badly hurt, so could the child.

I wonder how those people on here asking how it was handled would have reacted if it had been them? All sweetness and light and apologies for having had the temerity to get in the way of the child?

I'm pretty sure I would have been extremely shocked and annoyed.