Riding a bike on a footpath
26 July 2010, 02:36 PM
#1
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Riding a bike on a footpath
When I was a kid I only got into "trouble" once with the Law. I was collared by a local policeman for riding my bicycle on the footpath in our local town centre. I never did it again.
The cycling proficiency test also drilled it into us that footpaths are strictly for pedestrians only and bikes for the road and as far as I can remember the Highway Code said the same. So that's where I stayed.
So how come it's now considered perfectly normal for people to just ride around on the footpath all day? In fact I rarely see a kid riding on the road any more.
OK so there's generally more traffic around now, but unless the Law has changed, I don't see why cyclists should be allowed to ride on the footpath.
The cycling proficiency test also drilled it into us that footpaths are strictly for pedestrians only and bikes for the road and as far as I can remember the Highway Code said the same. So that's where I stayed.
So how come it's now considered perfectly normal for people to just ride around on the footpath all day? In fact I rarely see a kid riding on the road any more.
OK so there's generally more traffic around now, but unless the Law has changed, I don't see why cyclists should be allowed to ride on the footpath.
26 July 2010, 02:49 PM
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They aren't.
It is illegal to ride on a footpath and you can be fined. The only time you 'can' is when you are directly accessing a shared cycle/footpath.
Discretion is used though, and if the cyclist shows consideration for pedestrians, it's usually not enforced.
The problem for everyone are the kamikaze brigade that use the footpath as a shortcut to avoid traffic / other impedimentia.
Drives me nuts when I see the pavement hopping lot in full flow. Some numpty took exception to me being quicker than him when cycling in to work one morning and proceeded to barrel down the pavement when I was slowed down by traffic
It is illegal to ride on a footpath and you can be fined. The only time you 'can' is when you are directly accessing a shared cycle/footpath.
Discretion is used though, and if the cyclist shows consideration for pedestrians, it's usually not enforced.
The problem for everyone are the kamikaze brigade that use the footpath as a shortcut to avoid traffic / other impedimentia.
Drives me nuts when I see the pavement hopping lot in full flow. Some numpty took exception to me being quicker than him when cycling in to work one morning and proceeded to barrel down the pavement when I was slowed down by traffic
26 July 2010, 02:50 PM
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This drives me nuts too. I was also nicked for doing this as a child and as far as I'm aware, the law hasn't changed. So how come it is absolutely commonplace to see cyclists on footpaths now? I've seen them ride past police without the slightest issue several times.
Don't even get me started on cyclist behaviour at traffic lights (that is the ones who don't just switch to the pavement)
When did cyclists decide they had a moral right to do what they want AND look down their nose at virtually every other road user (including slower/more sensible cyclists)?
I must say that the worst offenders seem to be "serious" lycra-clad thirty-something males.
Don't even get me started on cyclist behaviour at traffic lights (that is the ones who don't just switch to the pavement)
When did cyclists decide they had a moral right to do what they want AND look down their nose at virtually every other road user (including slower/more sensible cyclists)?I must say that the worst offenders seem to be "serious" lycra-clad thirty-something males.
Last edited by CAT2; 26 July 2010 at 02:52 PM.
26 July 2010, 03:51 PM
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I try to stay "off-road" whenever possible 
Usually on muddy tracks etc. though. Must say if it makes things safer then kids should be allowed to ride on the pavement. Roads are pretty dodgy these days, nearly every time I venture onto them with the bike I seem to have some sort of near miss - horse box vs. oncoming Landrover last time while overtaking me
Did you know that your only allowed to ride your mountain bike when off road on bridleways, by-ways and roads used as public paths (RUPPs), not on footpaths.
Usually on muddy tracks etc. though. Must say if it makes things safer then kids should be allowed to ride on the pavement. Roads are pretty dodgy these days, nearly every time I venture onto them with the bike I seem to have some sort of near miss - horse box vs. oncoming Landrover last time while overtaking me
Did you know that your only allowed to ride your mountain bike when off road on bridleways, by-ways and roads used as public paths (RUPPs), not on footpaths.
26 July 2010, 04:05 PM
#6
It's the mongs in their shopmobility spakka chariots that annoy the **** out of me. Some clot nearly mowed me down on the pavement last week, doing well over 10mph in a pedestrian area. I can't sodding well hear your electric motor if you come tanking up behind me! Maybe you wouldn't be so bloody fat if you walked you lazy inconsiderate scumbag. 
Sorry. I feel better now that's out of the system
Sorry. I feel better now that's out of the system
26 July 2010, 04:20 PM
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26 July 2010, 04:27 PM
#8
My Dad is 66 and rides on the pavement, he stops when ever he gets near anyone and gets off his bike.
He's had a few comments, including from me .. but he's willing to risk a fine as he doesn't feel the roads are safe for him and to be honest the speed he goes he couldn't kill a snail ..
He's had a few comments, including from me .. but he's willing to risk a fine as he doesn't feel the roads are safe for him and to be honest the speed he goes he couldn't kill a snail ..
26 July 2010, 05:18 PM
#10
Generally "proper" cyclists are going too fast for the pavement, its usually kids, the elderley and the perpetually terrified on the pavements, I very rarely go on the pavement unless stopping to go to the shops and I ride up and get off, also a very dodgy junction on the way to work, offset crossroads across a busy A road, bad enough in a car, on a bike, no chance, so I ride round on the pavement, or at least coast at walking pace as I dont want to injure anyone or appear inconsiderate, its about ten yards and there is never anyone on it anyway, if there is I pull over, get off or move out of their way. I am very polite whne pedestrians are blocking the single tracks I use, i just say excuse me and wait, its so easy to be like that, you dont loose any time and people do sometimes remember and are polite back, failing that do it for the Karma !
There was some spong on a motorised Scooter going round the common near us last night, flat out, then on the way back on the pavements, he was about thirty as well, trying to look cool, just looked an inconsiderate dick, I did think it would be fun to punch him on the way past, wouldnt have even had to swing
There was some spong on a motorised Scooter going round the common near us last night, flat out, then on the way back on the pavements, he was about thirty as well, trying to look cool, just looked an inconsiderate dick, I did think it would be fun to punch him on the way past, wouldnt have even had to swing
27 July 2010, 11:53 AM
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It's the mongs in their shopmobility spakka chariots that annoy the **** out of me. Some clot nearly mowed me down on the pavement last week, doing well over 10mph in a pedestrian area. I can't sodding well hear your electric motor if you come tanking up behind me! Maybe you wouldn't be so bloody fat if you walked you lazy inconsiderate scumbag.
Sorry. I feel better now that's out of the system
Sorry. I feel better now that's out of the system
aka as council go carts.
you can cycle on anything, but not pavements.
I cycle once/twice a week with a lawyer. He knows the law ! we get this crap from folk when they find us on footpaths (i.e over moors and such like) I don't mean pavements in town.
27 July 2010, 12:14 PM
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It's the mongs in their shopmobility spakka chariots that annoy the **** out of me. Some clot nearly mowed me down on the pavement last week, doing well over 10mph in a pedestrian area. I can't sodding well hear your electric motor if you come tanking up behind me! Maybe you wouldn't be so bloody fat if you walked you lazy inconsiderate scumbag.
Sorry. I feel better now that's out of the system
Sorry. I feel better now that's out of the system
You always have to consider that one day you might be forced to use one of those.
Les
27 July 2010, 12:19 PM
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Cyclists should not use the footpath and it is right that it is illegal. It gets to the stage where many of them think they have priority over pedestrians and they are usually the ones who go belting along jumping up and down if pedestrians don't jump out of their path. Ill mannered and selfish trogs I reckon.
Les
Les
27 July 2010, 09:12 PM
#19
This involved bouncing an opponent off the ropes and extending a rigid arm to hit them in the throat when they bounced back !
Just one of the random thoughts that passes through my mind when I see selfish d**kheads on bikes riding on the pavement.
27 July 2010, 11:27 PM
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a little selfish I think, but it's hardly as serious as statutory rape in the grand scheme of things.
I thought in the good ol days you were pretty much allowed to ride on the pavement until you were about 7...
I thought in the good ol days you were pretty much allowed to ride on the pavement until you were about 7...
27 July 2010, 11:59 PM
#27
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Not heard the rant at cyclists for being on the road and to get off because they don't pay road tax etc... still time I guess. 
OK I'll say it
Cyclists shouldn't be on the fe**ing road in the first place as they don't even pay road tax even though we have to in our cars.
OK I'll say it
Cyclists shouldn't be on the fe**ing road in the first place as they don't even pay road tax even though we have to in our cars.
28 July 2010, 01:41 AM
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Did it occur to you that there might be a very good reason for him having to use an electric transporter. Most people would much prefer to walk to do their shopping rather than one of those.
You always have to consider that one day you might be forced to use one of those.
Les
You always have to consider that one day you might be forced to use one of those.
Les
Tonight there was even some chav hanging on to the back of it
28 July 2010, 08:05 AM
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Have I told the storey about the lardy heffer from Mansfield Woodhouse who rides her 'spakka chariot' along the A38 to McDonalds, always wearing the same nightie, loads it up with enough burgers to feed an army and then rides back up the A38 to Woodhouse?
Tonight there was even some chav hanging on to the back of it
Tonight there was even some chav hanging on to the back of it
Les
