A question for the Cyclists.

Nevakonaza

Nevakonaza

Nevakonaza

Soldato
Joined
7 Jan 2009
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6,854
Im sure there are Cyclists in here,So il ask the question and hopefully get some comments from other Cyclists. ;)

  • Do you ride on the Pavement?

I do all the time,I know its illegal but i find it too dangerous around where i live to cycle on the road,Too many idiot drivers who think its funny to go past you at 60mph or not give you enough room...,and allot of the roads i have to go up are one way and i have to go the opposite way which would obviously make it dangerous to be going up a one way street on the road in the wrong direction. :D

For the first time in probably 2 years today someone on a Motorbike shouted at me saying get off the pavement,of course i did not take any notice of him...he should be watching the road not me!

I've had police pass me lots and lots of time and none have stopped me,I cant see the problem as long as your not going like a mad idiot swerving in between people,and ive never ever had a pedestrian say anything to me.

So whats your thoughts?
 
No, but I know exactly where you are coming from, far too many retarded drivers out there who give absolutely no room to cyclists.
 
Very very very rarely will I ever consider mounting the pavement and when I do I will get off my bike the moment I see a pedestrian. To be honest you've made a choice to ride a bike and the law is that you don't ride on the pavement. I understand your concern but you should be doing what you can to make yourself more visible and avoid making any moves that would make you hard to avoid for motorists. Alway indicate etc...
 
Usually try to ride on roads or cycle paths where possible.

There are some places where I will ride on the pavement if the road is particually bad, or the cycle path ends and restarts again a very short distance ahead.

Some junctions I will use the pedestrian crossings too if it's a bit of a 'dodgy' one.

I always try to make sure it's clear though, and if a pedestrain is using the pavement i will always attempt to not inconvenience them.
 
On the whole its a no from me, my road bike is geared too fast to ride anywhere aside on the carriage way with the cars. I sometimes ride on the path through the industrial estate when its dark in winter evenings, on the section joining the cyclepaths. I have good (xc) lights on my bike, but theres few pedestrians and lots of lorries so its the safer option! Just give way to people walking :)

With regard to riding the wrong way up a one way street, well thats just daft! You still have to follow the rules.
 
Oh good, this thread again.

No, I never ride on the pavement. I've ridden on very busy roads before, including dual carriageways (don't think i was supposed to do that - whoops).
The trick is to ride a meter from the kerb so other drivers can't get past you unless it's safe to do so.
 
No because it is more dangerous on the pavement (junctions, obstacles, and pedestrians) and above all it would slow me down to an unacceptable speed.

I have the right to cycle on the road and as long as I cycle defensively and take up a position that discourages bad behaviour (I.e. my road position discourages drivers buzzing me) I don't see it as being that dangerous anyway.
 
Very rarely, there was one part of my regular route where I would go on the pavement, but that was only to avoid cutting across two lanes of opposing traffic, and then cycling down a main road.

As people have said here, its more dangerous and slower than cycling on the road
 
eXist said:
its not illegal
Click to expand...

yes it is

And I quote

Cycling on footways (a path at the side of a carriageway) is prohibited by Section 72 of the Highway Act 1835, amended by Section 85(1) of the Local Government Act 1888. This is punishable by a fixed penalty notice of £30 under Section 51 and Schedule 3 of the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988.
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According to the Department for Transport (DfT), the maximum fine for ‘cycling on the pavement’ (ie footways) from the courts is £500. However it is more usually enforced by way of the Fixed Penalty Notice procedure (FPN) which carries a £30 fine if pleading guilty.
Click to expand...

also:

Section 85 of the Local Government Act 1888 extended the definition of “carriage” to include “bicycles, tricycles, velocipedes and other similar machines.”

A Footpath means a highway over which the public have a right of way on foot only, not being a footway [Section 329(1) Highways Act 1980]. Generally, this means walking routes away from roads, say in the countryside.

A Footway means a way comprised in a highway, which also comprises a carriageway, being a way over which the public has a right of way on foot only [Section 329(1) Highways Act 1980]. So, in towns and cities, technically, we have footways, not footpaths or pavements.
Click to expand...

So by definition Bicycles should be on the "Carriageway" not the "Footpath" or "Footway"

The law also states that children under the age of 16 cannot be prosecuted for riding on the footpath so children can do so.
 
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no i don't and can't cycle on the pavement (road bike)

you need to be seen and cycle confidently, signal your intentions etc
when you get used to it you'll be getting from A to B much quicker and feel you are not being a nusance on the pavement

are you commuting or just out for pleasure. can you not head for quieter roads if its a past time?

i try and avoid very busy raods but sometimes you can't help it and there are always iceholes that fly past you.
as said though keep out a few foot from the side and wear bright colours and cycle in a straight line at a consistant speed.
 
nice 1, quoting a law almost 200 yrs old, whilst technically i bow to you as it is illegal, your gonna struggle to get a policeman pulling you and quoting that law to give you the fixed penalty notice ...
 
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Rarely do it, had to the other day because the wind was blowing me all over the place so it was safer to go on the pavement
 
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