This pedestrian crossing is on a hill. I’ve noticed that everyone who uses it does the same thing. Car coming? We step into the road so the driver must stop. Bike coming? We step back from the kerb, showing the cyclist that we’ll wait until they’ve passed. Like an instinctive social contract. Cars block public space, bikes share it. Cyclists are either whizzing down or puffing up that hill so it’s a tiny courtesy to let them pass. Often with a mutual smile or wave. Urban in-this-togetherness.
@CiaraNi Some pedestrians also ride bikes and are well aware of the investment in momentum that doesn't want to be thrown away if this can be avoided.
@TimWardCam Yes, this is true. This is why it happens naturally, I think. Most of us walk sometimes, ride a bike sometimes, so we know that it can make a nice difference. Especially on a wet or icy day when I'm saying Wheee! as I free-wheel down that hill, I'm grateful to be waved through the pedestrian crossing instead of having to do a sudden hard brake that could get slippy.