Cycling On The Pavement, What's Your Excuse?

[DangerUXD]

One of my bug bears I suppose but I'm old school, trained to cycle on the road properly and obey road rules etc. Anyway the other day I was walking home and some numpty on a bike got right up behind and rang his bell. I did not move at all and after a bit more ringing I turned around and pointed out the road about 2 feet to his left and said "get on the road, why are you on the pavement?" - Here's the good bit, he said and I kid ye not, it was less dangerous to pedestrians if he cycles on the pavement that it is to cyclists to cycle on the road - I've only just stopped ranting! How has it got to the stage now where most cyclists think that cycling on the pavement is ok? Dropping the kerbs at the corners hasn't helped here either.

[nusha]

Its so annoying, it use to be against the law, however nowadays it seems to be the norm along with dropping litter and spitting

[parkie]

I've had a number of near misses with cyclists on the footpaths in the area I live in.
As far as I am concerned it is dangerous, illegal, (liable to a fixed penalty £60 fine), and should be stamped upon.
Whether I am driving, cycling or walking I treat other road users as 'the enemy' and I try to anticipate their every move.
I taught cycling proficiency to school children for over 15 years before I retired so that they could ride safely on the roads.

[ellalee]

I agree with you. as far as i am concerned cycling on the pavement should be banned. The cyclists on the pavement are a danger to all pedestrians, they appear without warning and impeed,people with prams and the elderly. When they do go on the road, they ignore the rules of the road and go through red lights, and don't care about other road users. There should be nominated cycleways by the sides of the roads and they should be forced to wear high visibility gear and to obey all the rules that motorists and pedestrians keep!

[barkingmad]

Try pushing a strong stick through the spokes of one of the wheels as they pass - that ought to unsaddle the thoughtless bu66ers!!!

[SlackAlice]

^^^
and when he swings a 2 kilo cycle lock in your face it might sort your aggressiveness/

[barkingmad]

Fortunately I usually have a large dog with me - she just might take an interest if that happened!!!

[SlackAlice]

So as well as assaulting a cyclist with a big stick, you'd cower behind a dog if it all went wrong?

[markoffthebike]

Ever heard of loosening up,sharing,being a bit less tight-arsed about life? I drive,bus, & cycle to work on different days- being of the "old school" I stick mostly to the road with my bendy-handlebar bike complete with cleats. Some urban junctions are lethal however, and I cheat by "pavement-hopping" bits- as long as I respect pedestrians (eg.wheeling around bus stops etc.) I see little problem- hey, when walking I sometimes even step aside for a cyclist,pram-pusher, or(even) motorised wheelchair. It's a pity that some adults only seem to have cycled on pavements but our culture of treating the motorist as a demigod hasn't helped! Just keeep taking the tablets...

[joko]

i think the issue here is not so much that there is a bike on the pavement, but of the speed they go ... some cyclists whizz along like they're in a race, and that's when accidents happen - if they went at a more leisurely pace it wouldn't be an issue, as they have time to navigate etc

the other issue is appropriate circumstances - if someone tries to cycle fast through a densely packed street then they are an idiot, and if they clipped someone they deserve to go over the handlebars

that said, in some circumstances i would ride on the pavement - if it was a busy road and empty pavements etc - its a case of assessing the situation really.

as someone said, i would rather irritate a pedestrian, than die...

[Mick-Talbot]

http://tinyurl.com/c83k237

[DaisyNonna]

It is illegal to cycle on the pavement.
Pity the police are too busy reading Facebook to catch potential egg throwers.
Cannot remember the last time I actually saw a policeman. Do they still exist?

[Baldric]

No, they are a pigment of your imagination!

[DaisyNonna]

So what is happening to my Council Tax towards the police? What are they actually doing for those of us paying for them?

[duk-man]

Fife Council encourages cyclists to use the pavements. At least you can hear the cars coming, when they drive on the pavements. The most dangerous place to cross a road is at a pedestrian crossing, cars and cyclists never stop!!

[leonore]

Of course it is. they are going to commit a crime anyway. If they are so stupid as to be caught then it is their problem. Always remember the criminal has a choice, the victim has no choice.

[leonore]

I must admit I cycle on the path in town sometimes but never if there are many people walking there. A bike is a wheeled vehicle and belongs on the road, it also travels faster than a person so is a danger. If there is not designated cycle path get off and push. Ringing the bell is just an impertinence.
It is just stupid to expect the police to be on every street watching for cyclists.
There are hardly any foot patrols anyway now.

[emmie]

i said before they should get fined if cycling on pavement or over a red light, but lets find traffic policemen to do it, or licence and tax them so at least then next one who smacks into me i can take a number. Having said that some pedestrians don't do themselves any favours by jay walking.
I don't do that because you are more likely to come off worse from being hit by a car.

[jeff1anne2]

AS A NUMPTY WITH A BIKE, ROUND HERE WE HAVE A CYCLE/FOOTPATH WERE PEOPLE CAN WALK OR RIDE. IN PART IT IS EVEN MARKED WITH SEPERATE LANES. YOU WERE LUCKY, AT LEAST HE HAD A BELL, IN MY EXPERIANCE MOST OF THE CYCLISTS DON'T SEEM TO HAVE BELLS AT ALL. MY ADVISE? GET YOURSELF FITTED WITH A PAIR OF WINGMIRRORS AND PUT A FRESH SET OF BATTERIES IN YOUR HEARING AID.
CHEERS JEFF WAY

[Mick-Talbot]

What do we think of being on a mobile phone whilst cycling?

[emmie]

most don't from what i can see, other than have ear pieces in, that i always took it to be for music say an i pod.. or in the old days a walkman, very dangerous by the way, as you listen to music, chat and can't hear the car near you.