Cycling on the pavement aaaarrrrgggghhhh

[Loosehead]

Why do so many idiot cyclists seem to think it's ok to ride on the pavement. It's still illegal but the police seem to have given up on that part of the law. Now I'm not suggesting they prosecute but why don't they go back to the times when they told you to get on the road? I can remember being told to get off the pavement when I was a kid, they also used to make you walk if your lights wern't working,now they don't seem to care.

[purpose]

Oh Loosehead, i am sorry to say that i cycle on the pavement!

I am, however, extremely mindful of others and actually only cycle between 7-8am on weekends when i pass no more than 2 or 3 pedestrians.

I would not do it in a crowded area, though.

My reason for doing it is simply because many drivers (i am a driver, so i am not anti-drivers by any stretch of the imagination!) seem not to see cyclists. As long as i am no danger to others on my bike, i would prefer to cycle on the pavement for my own safety.

[Loosehead]

It's much safer on the road, you just have to know what you are doing. Cyclists mostly get hit when they don't know how to behave at junctions, ie they cycle along on the left and for example they may want to turn right, there is a correct way to do it and cars don't mind as long as you don't just pull out in front of them. Does no one do cycling proficiency any more?

[purpose]

I did my cycling proficiency test when i was at school, so am aware of the 'rules' etc... but having known 3 people who have been knocked down whilst cycling - one suffering brain damage even though he was wearing the correct cycle helmet - i am simpy too scared to cycle on roads.

The thing that irritates me is teenage boys (in general) who cycle/skate/skateboard in pedestrianised areas - seemingly without a care for anyone else.

[CT]

'Much safer on the road'.
In some places perhaps, i'm fortunate in that where I live has a lovely cycle route now to work. It is still on the road but at least it is unbroken now. Still there are those drivers who dont seem to realise that the green bit at the edge is not for driving on. I consider myself a fairly safe cyclist however, as I have a degree of driving experience, but I imagine many people would not feel confident enough to cycle on teh road. Especially where there are no cycle lanes. There are some fools though who give the rest a bad name, just like with drivers. The problem is usually you only notice the bad ones.

[teag1rl]

I do have to supress the urge to give passing cyclists a gentle nudge off the pavement, but since I don't want to be responsible for any deaths my sensible head has always won thank God. I think about it everytime though.

[sarah_03uk]

Forgive me if I get this all wrong because I dont really know what im on about, as im not a cyclist or a driver and ive never seen or been involved in a cyclist/driver/pedestrian accident. But I have always wondered this...

Would a car not do more damage to a cyclist on the road than a cyclist would do to a pedestrian on the pavement should an incident/accident occur???

Cars travel at much higher speeds than cyclists and a car/cyclist collision could create a larger impact involving more vehicles...?

[ktlou]

I'm sorry Loosehead, but I too cycle on the pavement. The roads where I live are really narrow and people drive sooooooo fast along them that I'm too scared to cycle on the road. Most of the pavements where I live are empty, but I can honestly say that if I see people coming towards me on the path, I get off my bike and wait until they have passed. I also don't 'overtake' pedestrians while cycling. I've never had anyone say anything to me whilst cycling and a few people have even moved over to let me past! I know that a lot of people cycle on the paths where I live!!

[Gef]

I just give them a nudge as they go past. "Oh, sorry I didn't realise I was walking on the road!".

[purpose]

Very helpful.

I'm sure that will solve the problem.

[markja]

all you plums that sit there preaching 'don't ride on the pavement' i used to cycle to work, i have been a dispatch rider,hgv driver,van driver, car driver,pedestrian,drunk staggering home and many other types of road/pavement user. a couple of years ago i was hit on two occasions by cars that were speeding. luckily for me both times it was their wing mirror that hit me and i wasn't seriously hurt.i stopped cycling because i realised that the next car to fail to give me space would probably kill me. i wore a hi-viz and helmet and don't wobble all over the road. i know how bikes are seen by other road user and ride defensivly & corectly.

as long as the bike is riden in a sensible/considerate maner then cyclists should be allowed on the pavement. the plod should only deal with the cycles they see being ridden poorly. if you told a cyclist to get on the road and a few minutes later they were hit by a car how would you deal with your concience?

[heathfield]

Talking with a policeman about this, he pointed out 'off the record' that if they made kids stick to roads, they'd immediately be accused of putting kids lives in danger.

[Bob A Job]

I live in a town with plenty of cycle paths. however i still use the roads because people who push prams or who walk along holding hands seem to think they have right of way on cycle paths and doddle along on them without looking where they are going. Last week there was a lady with a pram on the path, so i slowed and stopped, ringing my bell, and then she bumped into me!!!!(yes she was walking towards me). Ill take my chances with a car rather than have some lady threaten to sue me cause ive scratched her new buggie.

[ugly_bob]

What gets me about cyclists is when they ride at night with no lights and dark clothing on. On rural unlit roads. Do they deserve to be wiped out a-la Charles Darwin. Too stupid to continue living etc.

They must be the sort of people who have to wear walkmen with someone saying "breath.....breath.....breath...." so they don't suffocate!

Sorry. Rant over.

[kags]

I am sure all the cyclists on here feel they are being careful and responsible whilst cycling illegally on pavements - just as the drivers who cause problems for cyclists on the roads believe the same thing. It is sad that cyclists don't feel safe on the road, but breaking the law and causing a potential hazard to predestrians is no excuse, and not the right way to drum up support for the cause. I don't feel safe taking the short cut home at night, so I don't do it - perhaps I would feel safer walking through other people's gardens, but I don't do that either.

There is no excuse for people walking in cycle lanes, perhaps a campaign to increase awareness of this issue would better serve the purpose.

[electricblue]

I tell my kids to ride on the pavement,i on the other hand tend to walk in the road,,,,,,as cars seem to have a habit of parking half on the path so you cant get past,seems its all change!!!!

[spaced]

here here electric blue! Also loosehead, it is illegal for ANY wheeled object to be used on the pavement. Try telling that to mothers with prams and postmen with the mobile sacks.

I have ALWAYS riden on the pavement, even though I have passed my bike proficiency (showing my age). As long as you show courtesy and respect for pedestrians there should be no problem.

[kempie]

There is no legislation excluding prams, buggies, various classes of invalid carriage and the like from using the pavement (or to use its legal name, footway) and I include for your perusal the DfT specifications for a temporary sign which instructs cyclists to dismount and use the footway.

http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_roads/documents/page/dft_roads_035136.pdf

[stevie21]

Spend any amount of time near a road and you'll see far more dangerous drivers than you will bad cyclists. It's no wonder they use the pavement.

[unruliejulie]

One reason really loosehead, there are just too many selfish idiotic drivers on the roads. I have always told my son NOT to ride on the road as its just too dangerous. He has always ridden carefully and thoughtfully though. I live just off a main road so the thought of kids on bikes on roads terrifies me. regulalrly drivers go along at speeds of 80+, shooting through red lights and racing each other. BTW there are 2 schools along that stretch of road, just to enforce to you just how thoughtless these drivers are. So, thats why!!!!! I too have always cycled on the path for the same reason as i encourage my son to. I nearly got knocked off by a driver who just didn't look as he pulled out of a junction years ago and that sealed it for me. Frightening.So long as the cyclists are pedestrian aware, i don't see it as a problem, but obviously, on quiet roads its fine to use the road..

[dot.hoax]

I SAY - prosecute them most vigously, after all the only things that should be allowed on pavement are Stretch Limousines!