Cycling Laws

[simsfreq]

I'm not sure if this is the right category but it doesn't seem to fit anywhere else. Anyway, I have been told that it is illegal to ride a bicycle on the pavement, but it is legal to ride a bicycle on the road without a helmet... well has the world gone mad? What kind of law is this to guarantee public safety? I also understand that there is no lower age limit to be allowed to cycle on the road, and no test you legally have to take to be able to either. I cycle regularly and I don't have a helmet. I have very little knowledge of how the roads work, not being a driver, and find roads very intimidating to cycle on. I prefer to cycle on the pavement. A cyclist involved in a collision with a motor vehicle is quite likely to die or at least be seriously injured. If a pedestrian is involved in a collision wth a bicycle they are much less likely to be seriously hurt. A car is more difficult to stop quickly because it travels at a much higher speed. Riding a bicycle, if I see a pedestrian I can easily avoid them or stop very quickly if necessary. It seems to me a lot safer and much more common sense to cycle on the pavement. Does anybody else agree with me on this?

[Vijz]

If you don't like roads and don't know how they work, I suggest you learn, rather than cause pedestrians the hassle of you cycling on their bit of the transport system. As a cyclist, you probably don't carry insurance - should you be uso nfortunate as to have that accident with the pedestrian, and a major injury is caused, say by the pedestrian hitting his head on the pavement after you've knocked him over, then what? Car drivers could be more sympathetic to cyclists, but many cyclists don't help their cause. However, get off the pavements!!

[billyshears]

Cyclists on pavements are as potentially dangerous to pedestrians as car drivers are to cyclists on the road.

[simsfreq]

Sorry, what I was meaning to ask (I know my question is a bit rambling) is, if we have to cycle on the road, would it not be a good idea to introduce some kind of test to be passed, or at least have a law regarding the wearing of cycle helmets?

[Loosehead]

Cyclists on the pavement are an absolute menace, there was a time when the police would act, I don't mean prosecute but they would make you ride on the road. You also are supposed to have lights but cyclists get away with murder these days. I am a cyclist by the way and it's idiots like you who give us all a bad name. Do a cycling proficiency course and you'll find that cycling correctly on the road is not as dangerous as cycling on the pavement dodging pedestrians and riding out in front of cars at junctions. A cyclist was killed near me recently because he cycled straight out in front of a bus when the pavement ran out. It is possible to do a cycling on the road course, in fact I did one when I started secondary school and ever since then I and thousands of others of that era ride on the road quite safely. 

[Shire]

I drive and cycle, and I do get frustrated at the number of cyclists that seem to have no idea of how to ride on the road - no signals, no lights, weaving in and out of traffic, wearing dark clothing in poor light, yet if a car driver dares to criticise them, they get on their high horse about selfish car drivers.

I think it would be a good idea to introduce some sort of test for cyclists, so that they HAVE to learn to use the roads safely and correctly, or at the very least safe cycling should be taught in schools - when I am cycling I still remember the things that I was taught when I did my cycling proficiency test at school almost 20 years ago, and that includes NOT riding on the pavement!  Go and learn to ride safely on the roads, and you will not need to risk knocking over pedestrians.

Having said that, I do like the cycle paths that they have in some areas where the pavements are speparated into space for pedestrians and space for cyclists - much better for everyone, but obviously these aren't practical in all areas.

[tubeway]

I know that this is not the case with everybody - but most (or at least a fair amount) cyclists are a menace. I have been hit by a cyclist while walking along a footpath.

I live in a town with plenty of cycle lanes - but they can not keep to those.

They go through red lights OR they swerve on to the pavement at a junction to avoid going through a red light.

They cycle side by side on narrow country roads

Yesterday I narrowly missed a cyclist riding the wrong way down a one way street

They are a law unto themselves - and yes - something needs to be done

[vickyclare]

I seriously suggest you read the highway code and take a cycling proficiency test.  I used to regularly cycle on the roads before I got my car so have seen it from both sides so to speak. 

You are causing a serious danger, not to mention a nuisance by cycling on the pavements!  And yes it IS illegal.  I agree that there should be a mandatory test or at least course that all cyclists should take before being allowed to use the roads. 

If you at least read the highway code, (there are rules for cyclists in it im sure) then you will feel much more confident about using the roads.  But when you do, PLEASE ensure you stick to the rules, wear reflective clothing at night and get lights, front and back on your bike.  Always signal and make sure you know how to use a roundabout!! (give way to the right!)

I was driving at night last week and was suddenly met with a cyclist, wearing black, no lights or anything, cycling on the wrong side of the road, coming straight towards me.  I was forced to stop and just before he got to me he turned down a side street, without signalling or anything.  I was so mad. 

So I guess the moral of the story is if you know how the roads work and stick to the rules, cycling is perfectly safe, especially with the amount of cycle paths popping up all over the country. 

Happy Cycling!

[mfewell]

I agree with you sims. I have been commuting by bike for well over 10 years. I drive very little when I can cycle instead. I ride on quiet pavements with very great care where the road is particularly dangerous. I would not dream of cycling through a shopping centre. I know one particular busy narrow road where NOT to ride on the pavement is asking for trouble. Cars queue up behind you and sooner or later someone overtakes you very close and nearly has you off. I also never ride round roundabouts having been nearly killed by a driver turning left across me. I used to ride on the roads, but one day an artic passed me so fast and so close that the turbulence knocked me into the kerb and I fell off. Last winter I was stopped by a policeman after dark. I had left work late and had no lights. He explained that he had no problem with my being on the pavement, but could I please fit some lights ! So yes I agree with you and I think it's a matter of commonsense and of course great care and consideration. Luckily there are more and more cycle paths appearing.

Best wishes.

[mfewell]

sims, I was a little surprised at the tone of the earlier replies, getting at you a bit ! I don't jump lights or menace other users. I go about my way with all care. Yes there are some idiot riders but not us I trust. It is the discourtesy and downright dangerousness of a minority of drivers that forced me off busy roads in the first place.

[Grunty]

How sad that the first eight answers have been ignored.  The answer of course is that cyclists who have insufficient skills to ride on any piece of road should walk.  The police officer mentioned should have been disciplined.

[mfewell]

Grunty, driving along a very busy A-road, fast moving traffic in both directions, semi-rural, a huge and deserted pavement on each side. You have come up behind a cyclist but do not overtake because it is not possible to give him safe clearance. A queue is rapidly building behind you. The driver behind you is hooting and flashing and gesticulating. It is situations like these where a cyclist can be in an unpopular and eventually dangerous situation.

 

I know I have no leg to stand on legally, but sometimes it's about using commonsense and staying alive. I use the pavement only when I consider to be on the road would be putting my life at risk.

 

I very much appreciated my encounter with that policeman by the way. Friendly, and made his point. The pavement was deserted (except for the policeman) in both directions.

[lampgb]

I cannot see a problem with cyclists using pavements as long as common sense is used. I would rather a small child use the pavement than the road but with the ever increasing cost of fuel etc then the problem will eventually sort itself out I feel?  

[Alltorque]

Pavements are for pedestrians, roads are for cars and bikes. Simple. Do you really need there to be a law passed before you go out and buy a helmet to protect yourself ? That's scary.

[martincopsey]

There is a reason for the law, and having seen what happens to an elderly person when they are hit by someone riding on the footpath I only wish the police could be bothered to fully enforce the law. The position is simple: if you do not feel safe riding in traffic, dismount and push your bike along the footpath.

[Tandem]

I would like to point out to cyclists the risk of riding on the pavement. If you should hurt or even possibly kill somebody on the pavement, it is likely to ruin your lives as well as theirs. Firstly if you have been good enough to take out comprehensive insurance that I think all cyclists should have, it will not be valid if you are breaking the law and riding on the pavement, that insurance is only valid if you are riding within the law. I feel for cyclists I really think the day of the cycle as long gone, because the roads are too dangerous the motorists have enough to worry about without having to worry about cyclists that bob and weave in and out of the traffic, Please don't forget blind people who have to rely on other people to help them around obstacles and putting cycles on the pavement is only another thing they relly wouldn't expect to be there. I think the people who cycle on the pavements are doing the same thing as motorists do by driving on the hard shoulder on motorways, they are late for work or an appointment and prepared to break the law to get to work on time.If you hurt somebody on the pavement and you don't hold any insurance be prepared to loose everything you own by somebody sueing you. It could ruin your life.