London Buses are Good

You'll find that people seek distractions like iPods or mobile phones regardless of the mode of transport they're using--be it an overland train (quiet carriages have had to be introduced), the Undergound, a car, or a bike. I think it's only on planes that there are restrictions on mobile phone use. It really doesn't have anything to do with walking as such.

Walking is the most-used mode of transport in Inner London. TfL's recent Travel in London Report Number One estimates it at 36%. Collisions are very few and far between and the risk associated with walking is minuscule, both the risk posed to walkers and especially that posed by walkers. And: sail before steam--if you're riding a bike and the area is busy with people on foot, slow down. There is absolutely no point in blasting through fast and scattering people.

Fundamentally agree with that Oliver but I was talking specifically about pedestrians lack of responsibility to themselves and others. Walking being the default means of transport should not mean that us as pedestrians don't share an equal responsibility and a public awareness programme could help here. Think Bike!

Interesting that 'Travel in London Report Number One' . Everyone walks to somewhere eventually so I find 36% suprisingly low - 64% get carried ?