Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Savant]

Earlier, I was out on my bike returning home through the Han River Park in Yeouido and as anyone who cycles through there knows, it is very chaotic - like running a gauntlet.

It's chaotic due to the narrow space and of the oblivious 'the-world-revolves-around-me' Koreans who bike on the path; walk on the path and who cross the path at random intervals.

Now, I am always extra careful going through there. I slow down and adjust my speed and my eyes are always scanning ahead for possible trouble. I've been lucky so far until today when I almost hit a kid.

Here's what happened. I'm riding along and see a family crossing at the designated crossing points [a good start since so many families just stroll across the path at any point] and I check behind me to see who's there and I slow down further as it was 7/8 people crossing and they saw me coming. So, they cross and I maintain my speed, then I see a boy (around 7 years old) standing off to the side not looking towards the path or that he's about to cross.

Now, I am almost passing through there and then I hear a Korean guy call out a name and that kid comes running out and I have to swerve to miss him. Luckily, there was no-one riding on the opposite side or he would have been smacked hard. I'm sorry but what idiot father calls for their child when the father knows that I am coming on a bike and his son isn't even looking to where he's supposed to go and then has the nerve to shout after me like its my fault for almost hitting his child and not his for not being aware that he crossed without his son.

Anyway, rant over and is there a Korean highway code book or some school education program that tells people here how to properly cross a road?

[DaHu]

Pedestrians ALWAYS have the right of way, you are a menace to "maintain speed" so close to a family with young children.

When people on bicyclesget too close to me, they have a habit of falling off. Well, that might be my fault, as people who stop at the bottom of escalators to "look around" have a habit of falling down as well.

[politica]

Oh man, I cycle around town and this is something that drives me bat [Mod Edit] CRAZY.

It's true that the pedestrian has the right of way, and that you, on a bicycle, are expected to yield . . . however, your last question hits the nail on the head. Nobody teaches their children how to properly cross a sidewalk or street here. Kids just run out, totally oblivious to the consequences. What happened in your case is bad enough, but it's ten times worse when they run out into the street without looking and come face to face with a car. I've seen it happen. More than a handful of times

I don't think I was allowed to cross the street without an adult until I was 7 or 8, and even then, I was lectured ad naseum about "looking both ways."

Anyway, as a cyclist, the following things make me mad (I mean craaazy):
-When I ring my bell and the teenager in front of me doesn't hear it because she's listening to her mp3, talking on her phone, etc.
-Same thing for old people with bad hearing, although that's slightly more understandable.
-People who hear my bell and then move to the far side of the sidewalk (not the side they were closest to).
-People who stroll down the middle of the sidewalk.
and the absolute worse is . . .
-The people who look me in the eyes and then step into my path.

Just stupidity, utter stupidity.

[Savant]

[CentralCali]

[v88]

Man, I ran some kids down on a bike path once. Don't feel bad. Far too many Koreans exist in a world of oblivion. You can't go around worrying about the stupid gits who don't know a thing about Darwin. A bike path is for bikes and people should look before they cross it just as they should look before they cross the street...any Korean cyclist would tell you this (as I've seen more than a few angry Korean bikers).

[Weigookin74]

[Mix1]

[Savant]

[shifty]

Korea should never have been introduced to cycle paths or anything designated 'bicycles only'.

There aren't any in Daegu or Ulsan. At least in those places, there is the possibility of not losing your mind and going beserk..

Than say in Changwon, with its much vaunted paths.

The relative safety in streets is a hangover from Korean law that if a motorised vehicle hits a bike, it's the fault of the former, by definition.

So in the streets, sure it's not safe, but at least your mental health is saved. Or stands a better chance.

[jamesd]

I am told that you may have the right of the way, but if the other party is hurt more, there will be consequences of blood money. So I drive extra carefully.

[atwood]

Bike paths anywhere can be a tough go if you're trying to ride at speed. You can get stuck behind roller bladers, kids on bikes, people riding with their dog on a leash, etc. If you ride seriously, you should try and find an alternative or find bike paths that see little traffic.

[Mix1]

[Savant]

[atwood]