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Fairly locally to us in Brighton a lady is campaigning to stop cyclists from being on the pavement. She reports that she's been verbally abused by cyclists who are intent on getting through regardless of any pedestrians also using the pavement.
Obviously, as in so many situations that involve anti-social behaviour, this is (hopefully!) a minority of people/cyclists.
It is illegal to cycle on the pavement unless it is a path designated for shared use. However, nowadays - with much busier roads and larger vehicles - it can be daunting for less confident cyclists (and/or children) to cycle on certain roads. Clearly less confident cyclists are unlikely to be the aggressive type that the campaigner is referring to, so should they be penalised because of the minority?
And what about those pedestrians who either wilfully or ignorantly stroll along cycle lanes?
We're not condoning illegal behaviour, of course, but should careful, considerate and appropriate cycling on pavements be allowed? Surely abuse is unacceptable in any situation, regardless of the context?
What do you think? Should the law be updated? It (along with lots of 'lesser' crimes) doesn't seem to be enforced as a rule so is it worth having at all? We're discussing this (and other topical issues!) on our Facebook page.
Cyclists on roads definitely. Pedestrians along with children and dogs are unpredictable, far better take your chances in roads. Indeed far better cycle lanes neefed
I would say I am an above average confident cyclist but live in Kidderminster a town that hasn’t taken into account pedestrians and cyclists. There are roads that can only be negotiated by using the pavement, ones life would be radically shortened by using certain roads and negotiating large fast roundabouts. I’ve tried it wearing hi viz jacket and had so many near misses. I only use pavements in the high danger areas, use my bell and ride slowly giving pedestrians the right of way. Having said that other cyclist using the pavement for the same reason do not have bells and ride to close and fast to unsuspecting pedestrians. They should be educated to be more considerate.
Absolutely not. No cyclist on pavements except for young and I mean youg children.
Parents need to better educate their children to ride on roads as securely and safely as they can.
Yes, more and better cycle routes are needed.
I’ve got two dogs who don’t enjoy cyclists coming towards or close past them and in nearly all cases there is no need for them to be on the pavement. If there isn’t a cycle path there is the road. I always ride on the road on my bike. If the pavement is empty and there’s no chance of someone coming out of a side road then it’s a victimless crime but if there are people using the pavement get on the road where you’re supposed to be. If you feel unsafe on the road then you’re probably unsafe to be cycling and so shouldn’t be near pedestrians. Get on a cycling proficiancy course and buy some safety gear. Often people cycling on pavements have no lights or a helmet so they shouldn’t really be out on a bike anyway.
In certain circumstances it should be allowed, i.e. patents and children and those less confident of riding on roads.
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Danny
July 10, 2019
Definitely NO, to riding on pavements. How many times have we all cursed those idiots who ride on pavements/footpaths without any care for the pedestrians who are supposed to be there. I am sure that many riders would be unhappy if pedestrians walked aimlessly on the roads. I am also a believer that all bike riders should have some sort of training when young, the Cycling Proficiency Test was/is good thing riders use the roads so surely should know the rudiments of the law and rules etc. That said, the UK should consider much better and many more cycle lanes, we are a long way behind the rest of Europe. It is also time the police was more pro-active in dealing with minor offences like: riding on pavements, no lights, no brakes, ignoring traffic lights etc. Or am I just old fashioned?