[Closed] Riding on the pavement

You MUST NOT cycle on a pavement.

Laws HA 1835 sect 72 & R(S)A 1984, sect 129

Rule 64 in The Highway Code, and we all obey that, right? 😯

Also have a look at the 1835 Highway Act which defines a bicycle as a carriage and as such should not be ridden on the footpath (now changed to footway)

Never stopped me......
🙂

Max fine for riding on the pavement is £500. It's a shame the scrotes who force pedestrians to take evasive action to avoid getting run over don't get this point hammered home a bit more.

I don't have a problem with kids on their first bike going to the shops with their parents guiding them, but hate to see elderly people having to dodge yoofs on their bikes tearing up the pavement. 😡

as with everything, a little dose of common sense mixed with respect for others would negate the need for legislation in this case.

Oh, and yes I have ridden on the 'footway' on occasion but I make sure I don't harrass those who have right of way.

i ride on the pavement whenever i feel like it. I really couldn't give a monkeys for what the law has to say about it.

Kev

Road is faster, safer and better regulated.

Max fine for riding on the pavement is £500.

It's a shame the scrotes who force pedestrians to take evasive action to avoid getting run over don't get this point hammered home a bit more.

Some really clear statements on here

"You MUST NOT cycle on a pavement. Laws HA 1835 sect 72 & R(S)A 1984, sect 129"

"Also have a look at the 1835 Highway Act which defines a bicycle as a carriage and as such should not be ridden on the footpath (now changed to footway)"

Can some legal eagle explain to me (pro bono obviously) how there are blue signs embedded in pavements/footpath/footway/wildebeeste where I live indicating which side of the pavements/footpath/footway/wildebeeste that they should use illegaly ?

I wheelie along the pavements knocking old ladies hither and thither.

Can some legal eagle explain to me (pro bono obviously) how there are blue signs embedded in pavements/footpath/footway/wildebeeste where I live indicating which side of the pavements/footpath/footway/wildebeeste that they should use illegaly?

That'd be a dual/multi use path then wouldn't it? What do the zebra's use btw (they always migrate with wildebeeste don't you know)? 🙂

After having my lights nicked off my bike once (stupid me for leaving them on though) was told to cycle home on the pavement by the police.
It was early evening, still fairly light and I was dressed in high vis stuff so I wasn't difficult to spot, so not sure why they made me cycle on the pavement.

isnt there an exception for dinky wheels on a single speed?

There are many miles of fast single lane 'country roads' in my area, all have a pavement alongside on which I have never seen a pedestrian (the roads have no homes on them, just the occasional golf course/farmhouse).

I always cycle along these pavements rather than mix with surrey boy racers - am I being a law breaking reckless pedestrain killer or a sensible self preserving cyclist ???

I just don't see how you can make any progress on the pavement, and having ridden thousands of miles on the roads of Surrey I don't really see what the problem is!

I'd very happily push a cyclist off if I was walking along the pavement and they came too close, strikes me as very similar to the whole thing about smacking cars that get too close. If they're close enough to shove, they're too close. Simples.

njee20 - Member

I just don't see how you can make any progress on the pavement, and having ridden thousands of miles on the roads of Surrey I don't really see what the problem is!

I'd very happily push a cyclist off if I was walking along the pavement and they came too close, strikes me as very similar to the whole thing about smacking cars that get too close. If they're close enough to shove, they're too close. Simples.

That would help thing enormously! Fair enough if they are too close and going too fast, perhaps say something to them but pushing them off is just stupid. I hope the next person you push off either does you for assault or gets up and smacks you one.

I had an incident when riding with my children (7and 11) along the pavement, I made a point of telling them to keep to one side so an old man and his grand daughter could get past and the miserable old get made a point of taking up as much pavement as possible to make it difficult for us to get past. I WILL NOT risk riding on the road with my kids as there are far too many dickhead driver out there driving recklessly.

Perhaps a bit more investment in sensible cycle paths would help things.

I didn't say it would be my first reaction, I just said I would be prepared to do it. Obviously I'm not going to randomly lash out, but it hardly helps the case of cyclists, we do all tend to get tarred with the same brush after all.

He may have been a miserable old git, but he was legally right.

That's a bit like saying 'I was doing a ton down the motorway and some cock was doing 70 in the outside lane' annoying yes, but you were breaking the law.

I'd very happily push a cyclist off

🙁

I'd very happily push a cyclist off if I was walking along the pavement and they came too close

And I'd very happily get up and batter 7 shades of s**t out of you if you did it to me, pal.

I don't think you would though. That's internet bravado, nothing more.

I just don't see how you can make any progress on the pavement

You don't if you do it all the time. However, if you hop up to get round traffic lights, cut across junctions, through areas where there are no roads, past roadworks etc, it speeds you up considerably.
On the MTB, on the road, I ride like a nutter. I make no apologies for it. It's just fun. However, I commute on a Roadrat, all panniered up, so it's impossible to ride in the same manner.

[i]Can you please play nicely and not threaten personal violence against one another? Consider yourselves warned. Mod[/i]

Sorry, but I would, in the same way I'd happily kick a dog in the head, and have done so in fact! Just because they're a cyclist doesn't mean I'm going to stand there and get mown down, if it's me or them, they're going down!

Talk about taking something out of context, I'm not talking about walking down a pavement and shoving people off, that'd just be stupid.

PP: so it's internet bravado saying I'd push someone off who potentially risked injuring me, but you'd actually beat me up for it? You're a lovely fellow!

Before i pop out during the school run to nose wheelie on the pavement through hoards of small children, puppies and frail old ladies thus breaking every cycling law possible, can i please clarify that i was thinking along the lines of exceptional (dangerous) circumstances only when the cyclist deems it unsafe on the road.
Not prone to dreaming things up, it's in my head from somewhere and it's bugging me.

PeterPoddy - Member

That's internet bravado, nothing more.

OH TEH IRONING

Actually, this happened to me many moons ago walking home from school. A chap I knew was cycling towards me, we both assumed the other would move over, neither of us did, at the last minute we both moved over and he hit me. I put my arms out - as you would - and ended up pushing him off while I was basically unscathed.

Luckily he wasn't PP so he didn't beat 7 shades of sh1t out of me. We both laughed about it in fact.

But I'm sure that's just me making stuff up now.

[i]I just don't see how you can make any progress on the pavement[/i]

ummmm, by kind of turning those pedal shaped things with my feet 😕
the roads in question have no houses and almost no side roads (one or two every km) so there's no driveways and very few kerbs to negotiate - the roads on the other hand are very rutted/damaged at the kerb side with lots of debris - pavement is easier and safer....

...as for pushing cyclists off, it's not that easy - someone tried it with me once and they underestimated the effects of 80kg of bike/rider acting through the contact area of one bar end 😆
sure I wobbled a bit but they ended up @ss uppermost in the bushes (this wasn't on a pedestrian on a pavement btw, but a beligerant chav on a bridleway)

PP: so it's internet bravado saying I'd push someone off who potentially risked injuring me, but you'd actually beat me up for it? You're a lovely fellow!

And you're soooo lovely that would push someone off their bike if they came close to you?
What happens if they smack their head on the floor? End up sprawled over a busy road? You need to put your tiny little brain into gear before opening your big clumsy gob.

OH TEH IRONING

I'm well aware of that 🙂
Fact remains though, he wouldn't get away with it with me, one way or another.
I just hope for his sake he's exagerating, or one day it's gonna bite him in the ass.

I'm backing out of this thread now, before it get's all heated. It's impossible to argue with Daily Mail readers and their ilk.

TTFN
🙂

[i]OH TEH IRONING [/i]

My 2nd favourite post of the month!

Surely it depends on the pavements? There are pavements I would'nt ride on (eg. those running past a busy police station), there are pavements with white lines on which are deemed "cycle paths" - but which are far more dangerous to cycle on than other pavements (eg. the one going past a school on my trip to work)
and there are pavements round my way which I happily cycle on - with my dog on it's lead (OH MY GOD!!! SURELY A TROLL!!) to get to the tracks where I walk/ride with her. Haven't upset a pedestrian yet...

to me njee20 sounds like internet bravado back pedalling (no pun intended) into self defence.

clearly if something is coming towards us, what ever it is, we'll act with some form of self defence and push against it, I saw a man do it when he got hit by a car, clearly it wasn't going to work but its just a natural reaction.

however saying you'd openly push some one off as a statement is just puffing your chest out.

as Coyote said "a little dose of common sense mixed with respect for others"

You've made several assumptions on what I said, I never said it would be the first thing I did, just that in a situation where a cyclist put me in danger I would push them off, frankly it's human nature, and I bet that virtually everyone on here would in the same situation. Of course I'd hope they don't smash their head on the ground, but frankly, being totally objective, I don't think a legal case against a pedestrian would get very far in that situation.

I'm not saying that riding on a pavement is never appropriate, I think with children it's often sensible, but I think people do forget that it is totally illegal and you have no right to be there whatsoever.

Irrespective of road condition I still don't really see where pavements would be faster than a road over a long stretch.

Each to his own and that I guess...

Edit: if you want to read it as internet bravado that's fine, it was certainly taken out of context, my point being that I would have no remorse for acting in self defence.

what if you don't want to go faster, what if you are just pootling down to the shops and back?

I'm backing out of this thread now, before it get's all heated. It's impossible to argue with Daily Mail readers and their ilk.

OH NO, EVEN MORE IRONING111

what if you don't want to go faster, what if you are just pootling down to the shops and back?

At the risk of sounding extremely high and mighty (not the intention): you pootle on the road?!

Is there a link between people who ride road bikes, and those who ride on the pavement I wonder? Ie are those who ride on the road a lot more, rather than just viewing it as a way of getting to the trails, more tolerant of it and thus less likely to ride on the pavement.

peasnotwar: Before i pop out during the school run to nose wheelie on the pavement through hoards of small children, puppies and frail old ladies thus breaking every cycling law possible, can i please clarify that i was thinking along the lines of exceptional (dangerous) circumstances only when the cyclist deems it unsafe on the road.
Not prone to dreaming things up, it's in my head from somewhere and it's bugging me.

I think you're remembering guidance given by the Home Office related to fixed penalty notices, which is [url= http://www.bikeforall.net/content/cycling_and_the_law.php ]nicely summarised on Bike for All[/url]:

On 1st August 1999, new legislation came into force to allow a fixed penalty notice to be served on anyone who is guilty of cycling on a footway. However the Home Office issued guidance on how the new legislation should be applied, indicating that they should only be used where a cyclist is riding in a manner that may endanger others. At the time Home Office Minister Paul Boateng issued a letter stating that:

"The introduction of the fixed penalty is not aimed at responsible cyclists who sometimes feel obliged to use the pavement out of fear of traffic and who show consideration to other pavement users when doing so. Chief police officers, who are responsible for enforcement, acknowledge that many cyclists, particularly children and young people, are afraid to cycle on the road, sensitivity and careful use of police discretion is required."

I knew someone who got stopped for riding in a pedestrianised area of the town centre, a road that had been block weaved and closed to normal traffic. Plod was hiding in a shop doorway, when the cyclist approached at walking speed, just going along with the shoppers and giving way to all and any. Plod stepped out and goes into one.

Cyclist pointed out that moving as fast as the peds or slower and giving way ought not to be seen as dangersous, plod then proceeded to issue the £30 on the spot fine.

Not sure if that person ever paid the fine, they suspect that plod may have got their details slightly wrong...

Just as well I.D. cards aint compulsory, eah ?.

Solo.

njee20 - Is there a link between people who ride road bikes, and those who ride on the pavement I wonder? Ie are those who ride on the road a lot more, rather than just viewing it as a way of getting to the trails, more tolerant of it and thus less likely to ride on the pavement.

Is there a link between people who ride road bikes, and those who ride on the pavement I wonder? Ie are those who ride on the road a lot more, rather than just viewing it as a way of getting to the trails, more tolerant of it and thus less likely to ride on the pavement.

I'd guess people who ride road bikes ride on the road more partly because it is way more hassle to go up and down kerbs on a road bike, and partly because they are just not as scared of the traffic as people who don't ride on the road much. Also I guess they're usually going at much closer to car speeds than the pootlers.

Personally I dunno why anyone (other than little kids) bothers riding on the pavement, it always seems to be slow, puncture prone, dangerous at junctions / driveways and a general waste of time.

Joe

I CBA with the numerous cycle paths near me as you just can't go as fast on them. Plenty dog-presents and glass also.

no, probably not, I used to commute every day on my bike, never went on the pavement

Well I meant people who ride on the road, rather than specifically those who ride road bikes. It seems to be a phobia thing, most people who ride on the pavements seem to harbour the attitude that it's much safer, whereas those who ride more on the road don't seem to see the problem.

Well there were a lot of real d*$k heads commuting in London today because of the tube strikes. Riding all over the pavement, trying to avoid traffic and red lights and really not making any progress. If your riding a bike then your on the road, if you can't handle riding in traffic then PUSH your bike on the footpath or perhaps take public transport.

UpQuickDownSlow beat me to it. It's technically illegal to ride a bike on the pavement, but official guidance is not to issue fixed penalty notices unless the person riding is riding irresponsibly.

It seems to be a phobia thing, most people who ride on the pavements seem to harbour the attitude that it's much safer, whereas those who ride more on the road don't seem to see the problem.

Subjective safety.

I think some people on here forget that the UK has very different road/ pavement conditions depending on where you live. For instance I do not think it would be a good idea to ride on a pavement in London. However if I am riding to my favourite riding spot I can easily ride for a mile on the pavement without meeting someone and only one or two kerbs to bump up and down ( a lot safer than going on a 60 zone that has a few bends and solid double white lines.So in summary it is okay in some places but obviously not in others.

I moved to Norway about 6 months ago. Over here cyclists can choose to use either the pavement or the road, although constantly switching between the two without warning or looking is frowned on. So, the town centres are full of both pedestrians and cyclists and no-one ever feels the need to beat the crap out of each other. I've got no idea what makes the UK and Norway so different.

We had a set of letters in the local paper recently on this very subject. The comments cover most of the arguments:

Letter 1: http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/features/letters/4399605.Rogue_cyclists/
Letter 2: http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/features/letters/4416979.Rogue_cyclists/
Letter 3 (mine): http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/features/letters/4421984.Pavement_cycling/

My thoughts on this are if done considerately and respecting other users then not an issue, however, one question I have is - Where do pavements end and footpaths begin? Most on here would welcome Scotland's right to roam and hence the ability to cycle responsibly along footpaths so why such an anti cycling on pavements stance? In cities I can see the problems but in smaller towns etc I can't see any problem. I regularly use about 4 miles of pavement to get to one of my local loops, I generally ride in the evenings and the pavement runs alongside a major trunk road that is quite narrow, pavement is seperated from the road by a grass verge, much safer option in my opinion.

If pedestrians are scared of bikes on pavements, why do they [i]always[/i] walk on the bike half of segregated paths? 😉

njee: [i]in the same way I'd happily kick a dog in the head[/i]

So what you are saying is: I regard cyclist on the pavement as a dog whose head I'm prepared to kick-in

You given me the impression that you are not-a-very-nice person; probably not true.

Regarding pavement riding, I think Wee from Norway as it right. Ride on the road or ride on the pavement, whichever is safer. That does not mean at 25 mph on a busy pavement, which clearly isn't safer. If I end up in court for my occasional deliberate illegal actions, that will be my defence: I broke the law to benefit everyone's safety.

the number of times I've been told to get off the path on my bike and then had to point out i'm only on it because they are on the cycle path amounts to more than I can remember.

the comeback is usually along the lines of "well I didn't know that" with a smart arse tone to it. when I try to (politely) point out the signs and the fact that its painted red for a reason I tend to get abuse.

the number of times I've been told to get off the path on my bike and then had to point out i'm only on it because they are on the cycle path amounts to more than I can remember.

the comeback is usually along the lines of "well I didn't know that" with a smart arse tone to it. when I try to (politely) point out the signs and the fact that its painted red for a reason I tend to get abuse.

They're allowed on the bike path, but you're not allowed on the pedestrian side. Try not to forget that you're a 4th rate citizen while you're on your bike, please.

haha, yeah I know, it just pees me off that i get abuse when i've only done something because they have stopped me doing the correct thing.

the bit on langsett road (opposite the bike shop) is the worst, people ALWAYS walk on the cycle path and leave the footpath free.

[i]We had a set of letters in the local paper recently on this very subject. The comments cover most of the arguments[/i]

Thanks for those links Mike, makes stw look almost civil and coherent by comparison
😉

They are fun, aren't they 🙂

Interesting to read miketually. I personally ride on a pavement everyday as it is far safer than riding on the road where there are blind bends and car drivers overtaking in unsafe places. The piece of pavement i ride on connects two small villages and I have only seen a pedestrian use it once. In that case I stopped moved of the path and let the pedestrian walk past without a problem. As discussed in those letters I think the point is more about inconsiderate use of cycling on the pavement whereby cyclists do travel at a sensible speed and cause issues to pedestrians.

Unfortunately wherever we ride where there are other users someone will always take offense to it, be it a cyclist, road user or pedestrian.

I was stung by the dibble for riding on the pavement.cost £30 quid.annoyed me but frankly having seen so many idiots coming so close to me over the years i now just view it as cyclist taxation.in the end i would happinlly pay £30 quid rather than be hospitalised by some boy racer in his tin box.

Would the law be the same if you were p*ssed riding on the pavement as riding on the road? Not sure what the law is mind about riding p*ssed on the road..............cycling ban?!

Would the law be the same if you were p*ssed riding on the pavement as riding on the road? Not sure what the law is mind about riding p*ssed on the road..............cycling ban?!

IIRC, the offence of being drunk in charge of a bike is the same offence that makes it illegal to be drunk in a pub...

[i]We had a set of letters in the local paper recently on this very subject. The comments cover most of the arguments

Thanks for those links Mike, makes stw look almost civil and coherent by comparison

[/i]

Hang on. I swear those same letters have been in [i]my[/i] local paper too! They make em up don't they?

Same local paper perhaps!?

You given me the impression that you are not-a-very-nice person; probably not true

Meh, probably true, I'm not that bothered what people in internet land think of me, I'll leave my actual, 3D friends to judge me 🙂

My point was, and the line I missed out (so much trouble from implied statements!) was that I would do it in self defence, push a cyclist, or kick a dog. I'm not some vigilante stalking the streets pushing kids into the path of oncoming traffic whilst playing keepy-uppy with Rover and Fido, despite what some people seem to think!

[i]Same local paper perhaps!?[/i]

Point, missed. Him, North. Me, South.

I was only joking, I assumed that you did know a rough geographical location in order to express such surprise!

I swear those same letters have been in my local paper too! They make em up don't they?

I think there's a certain 'type' who write in to local newspapers. Of which, it seems, I have become one.

If I ride to my local trail it requires an uphill ride of a about a mile that is a very fast road. Due to my some part consideration for other road users and my major consideration of my own safety I WILL ride on the pavement in this section. Only having met a pedestrian a couple of times in the numerous times that I have done this I have only had to track satnd/hop off and around them rarely. I am not some racing whippet that flyes uphills at 15mph and as such think that this is a resonable defence.
Having said that if some herbert decided to push me off my bike I would then get very irked and might start demonstrating that irkness with them! I think the law catches it just right for a change. If it's safe for everyone carry on. If not your nailed.
N.B When on my way down the fast hill, always on the road and try to catch the cars!

folk look daft riding mtb's on the road - they are clearly designed for off road use. If you must cycle on the road do it on a proper road bike. Anyhow, what tyres for pavements?

So how do you get your bike to the trails if you do not drive Bluepalomino?