To expect cyclists to actually cycle on the road or cycle path??

tbh, the roads are such a nightmare in my town and cycle paths are non-existent that i do ride on the pavements.

I am not inconsiderate though and I avoid busy pavements or would dismount if there were pedestrians around. My argument is, the roads are now way too dangerous for cyclists. For example, last night at rush hour the traffic was almost stationary but there was not enough room for me to ride down the inside of the jam. So pavement it is...

Come to not so sunny Cambridge where you will narrowly miss running down students at night time who cycle the wrong way down streets in dark clothing with no lights (often in a group if they are language students). Cyclists were banned from the town centre - just one or two streets - for a while but managed to get this ban lifted so that you take your life in your hands now crossing from M&S to Boots across an otherwise pedestrianised street.

I got mown down by a fckwit cyclist in a railway* station a few years back. I still have the scars. I was too shocked to do anything but lie on the ground with Dd2 screaming her head off in fright but an old lady tore a strip off the cyclist, which in retrospect was rather funny. Anyway, I'm really nervous when I see a cyclist now and want to give them a good shove to get them away from me.

Yes, cycle lanes etc often appear to have been designed by people who've maybe heard of bicycles, but are a bit unclear about what they're for.

I often end up ignoring cycle lanes, as there's generally a white van parked across the end of it, or pedestrians crossing the lane without looking out at all.

I should probably say, in all my years of biking in London, I've only come off the bike twice - once from a pedestrian running out without looking, and once from a car turning right, through me, without signalling.

we have motor bikes that go on our paths right near my garden at all hours of the day and night, am seriously thinking about laying a branch accross the path, noisy twunts!

i agree that its dangerous for cycles to be on paths, but when they are courteous and slow right down or get off when they are pedestrians, i don't mind, its the teenage lads that go 50 miles an hour round corners with no concern for others thst p*ss me off

Cyclists put their own lives in danger by behaving recklessly - drivers put everyone on the road in danger, so I too find it weird how angry people get about the former.

Cyclists on the pavement are highly unlikely to cause any serious injury to pedestrians, the most badly behaved IME are usually under 12 and so entitled to be there!

I cycle myself (always on the road) and I often don't use the special provisions for cyclists at junctions because the numpties who came up with them seem to have designed them with the convenience of motorists in mind and little regard for the cyclists safety.

In other countries the pavement is widened and divided into cycle and pedestrian lanes. Here we have cycle/bus lanes, so I cycle to work breathing diesel fumes and weaving around buses.

I think the OP was fairly clear that it was inconsiderate cyclists, and I agree about it being better on the pavements at times.
It then widened to cyclists in general.

If the provision of cycle paths was better, people didn't park in them, they didn't disappear when the space runs out - ie just when they are needed, they had priority continuing on the road over cars turning, etc etc etc then I think more people would use them.

But even in the parks of cambridge where there are good cycle paths, and special sections at lights to allow cars to turn left separately to the cyclist (cars go first, then cars turning stop, and cyclists going straight ahead can go) the cyclists (in the main) ignore the section, cut into the middle of the cars to go ahead in the car lane.

So I guess I just get fed up that when adequate provision IS made, it is still abused.

I do sometimes ride on the pavement if the road is too busy but only if the pavement is clear. I'm very considerate and only cycle slowly, would never whizz past someone and often get off and push my bike rather than intimidate pedestrians. I know it's wrong but I'd rather be fined than dead.

DS2 almost got hit on the crossing on the way to school by a cyclist going through a red light. I sware if I had had a brolly would have jammed it in the wheel of his bike.

Because a lot of cyclists seem to have no care for the rules of the road, for other peoples safety or their own.

Live and let live is quite a good motto but cyclists seem to be of the opinion that they are more important than any other road/pavement users.

which is not to say that all car drivers obey all laws, but they don't often just go through red lights, that were red when they drove up to them, knowing that they are red. they do, more and more, cut changing lights, and that annoys me aswell.

because, from what i see around here, car drivers obey the general rules of the road far more than cyclists.

spat on your windscreen, scootermum? charming . How upsetting especially in your condition. Cyclists are incredibly vulnerable on the road. Sadly for him, it is only a matter of time ...

Why is it that cyclists in the wrong seem to invite so much more anger than car drivers in the wrong? I have been puzzled by this for years.

(I do cycle on the pavement, when with my 3 children. I do get off though when approaching pedestrians. There is just too much fast driving on the road I have to take to get to the safe bit.)

When I was driving to work a few months ago a cyclist went through a red light and I only narrowly avoided colliding with him by slammning on my brakes..(was heavily pg at the time so was pretty annoyed)Anyway later in the journey drew level with him at another set of lights and he spat on my windscreen and had a go at me for nearly killing him!But it was HIS fault..for going through a red light..gaaah!It still makes me totally furious to think about it..
Im all for cycling..I do it myself when not needing to drop kids off somewhere, but ruddy hell, whats happened to the cycling proficiency course?

children scare me full stop

Cycle bells sounded once (or twice if pedestrian appears to be deaf), talking loudly to your companion or just saying 'excuse me' helps when children on pavement or shared cycle path.

Hmmm, kids have to cycle somewhere, both mine ride on the pavement. I don't know how or when I start getting DS1 on the road, but he's only five now, so I'm sure it's not now. (Well, I've had him on some very quiet roads with me, but there's no way he's going on real roads yet!)

tbh, I think children on bikes on the pavement are just as bad. But then again, I wouldn't want mine riding on the road. Tis not ideal.

and i get equally annoyed about the cars that overtake the cyclists then immediately turn left, thereby cutting up said cyclist. just wait your turn you lazy twunt, you wouldn't do that to a car.

Well, and although I don't run lights, I do watch out for lorries turning left, and I'm aware that they often can't see me. I'd rather let a lorry go, than get smushed by one.

Nope not me then SEA, I only cycle on the road if I have to and if it is safe to do so. I plan my route carefully and won't take the trailer if I think that it is unsafe for me and the dcs

ekk, at that NQC, BUT would add that there aren't alot of big lorries in central cambridge at rush hour!

Oh dear...I'd be getting smushed then!