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Bicycles on pavements - why are they not being ridden on a road?

238 replies

FinallyMovingHouse · 06/06/2025 11:27

I've only moved to near the centre of a town in the last 6 months and hence hadn't really noticed this where I used to live, which was more rural.

Can someone tell me why it seems now to be acceptable for people; all ages from schoolkids to 60 odd, to ride their bikes on the pavements and never seem to go on a road? I was trying to explain to my youngest DD (20) how my DH and I would have been shouted at by police and pedestrians if we'd tried that 30 years ago and definitely when we were teenagers (we're mid 50s).

Many have been very polite, waiting for me to notice them and then saying thank you when I've moved for them, but I've also had bells rung at me endlessly from a distance away until right behind me or the handlebars tapped to move me out of the way on a narrow pavement. So far I've stopped myself from retaliating but I do feel an overwhelming urge to shout "get off the effing pavement" more and more.

I do appreciate that yes, the roads are dangerous etc, etc but they're making the pavements dangerous, especially when you can't see them or they're going too fast. It's also illegal.

AIBU or am I just getting old and crabby?!

OP posts:
MemorableTrenchcoat · 06/06/2025 13:02

PetiteBlondeDuBoulevardBrune · 06/06/2025 12:58

They might feel safer but it doesn’t mean they should do it.
I would feel safer in the Tube in a women-only carriage, it doesn’t give me the right to ask all the men to leave.

No one is saying they should do it. OP asked why some do it.

MemorableTrenchcoat · 06/06/2025 13:00

Dangermoo · 06/06/2025 12:58

Not unquestionably safer for pedestrians, hence the relevant legislation.

Unquestionably safer for cyclists, which is why some do it, which is what OP originally asked.

PetiteBlondeDuBoulevardBrune · 06/06/2025 13:00

Perfect summary:
If you don’t feel safe on a main road then please consider an alternative route. Or get off and walk your bike along pavements where there are pedestrians and limited space. It’s not fair to push the risk onto pedestrians who are always the most vulnerable road/ pavement users

Nothungrycat · 06/06/2025 12:59

I've recently returned to cycling on a lovely e-bike. One of the most direct routes to some nearby countryside (and a brilliant cycle path) is along a winding major road which cars belt along really quite fast. There's a narrow footpath on one side of it, and I cycle on it as it's far safer than the road. So far I've not seen a single pedestrian using it and if I did I would of course get off. I don't see that as 'entitled', more like 'sensible'.

Dangermoo · 06/06/2025 12:58

MemorableTrenchcoat · 06/06/2025 12:57

Unquestionably safer; no one is saying it’s legal.

Not unquestionably safer for pedestrians, hence the relevant legislation.

PetiteBlondeDuBoulevardBrune · 06/06/2025 12:58

MemorableTrenchcoat · 06/06/2025 12:54

Says the person who proclaims cyclists have no justification for believing they might be safer on the pavement.

They might feel safer but it doesn’t mean they should do it.
I would feel safer in the Tube in a women-only carriage, it doesn’t give me the right to ask all the men to leave.

MemorableTrenchcoat · 06/06/2025 12:57

Dangermoo · 06/06/2025 12:55

Might be safer but still won't be riding legally.

Unquestionably safer; no one is saying it’s legal.

Hillarious · 06/06/2025 12:56

MidnightPatrol · 06/06/2025 12:38

172,000 people died on the roads in India in 2024, 35,000 of whom were pedestrians.

Edited

India has a large population, and I did say “mostly”.

Levie · 06/06/2025 12:56

I’ve had a few near misses from bikes almost hitting me when I step out of my gate onto the pavement. The gateposts are quite high and visibility is limited. The pavement is narrow and is next to a well-used road- but there’s a 20 mile speed limit so cyclists ought to be able to use the road.
If you don’t feel safe on a main road then please consider an alternative route. Or get off and walk your bike along pavements where there are pedestrians and limited space. It’s not fair to push the risk onto pedestrians who are always the most vulnerable road/ pavement users.

Dangermoo · 06/06/2025 12:55

MemorableTrenchcoat · 06/06/2025 12:54

Says the person who proclaims cyclists have no justification for believing they might be safer on the pavement.

Might be safer but still won't be riding legally.

MemorableTrenchcoat · 06/06/2025 12:54

Dangermoo · 06/06/2025 12:44

Use your common sense.

Says the person who proclaims cyclists have no justification for believing they might be safer on the pavement.

EmpressaurusKitty · 06/06/2025 12:54

On shared paths I’ll always stay on the correct side if there is one, or move out of the way for bikes.

If cyclists are going to ride on pavements that aren’t officially shared paths, then they shouldn’t expect pedestrians to move for them. Go at the same pace as the pedestrians or go on the road.

Dangermoo · 06/06/2025 12:54

Balloonhearts · 06/06/2025 12:49

Do you disagree that there are more dangerous drivers on the roads now than there were, say, 20 years ago?

Because statistics say there are and as someone who occasionally has to ride a horse down a bit of road to access a bridleway, I agree with those statistics. You get people bombing along at ridiculous speeds round blind corners, I saw one nearly crash into a tractor the other day. Unfortunately common sense isn't particularly common these days.

I'm not sure I'd let my younger kids ride bikes on the roads. The teens do but not the younger ones.

Relevance to cycling on pavements is...?

WearyAuldWumman · 06/06/2025 12:54

Dangermoo · 06/06/2025 11:37

The OP has already told you, her experience isn't walking on shared pavements.

It's the same round my way. We do have some shared paths down the town centre, but not in the housing estates.

We're getting bicycles, scooters and electric bicycles - often ridden by adults - whizzing around on the pavements, often without due care and attention.

When my late husband was still alive, I found myself having to watch out for both of us...because the cyclists certainly didn't. (DH had hemiparesis following a stroke and had learned to walk again using a stick.)

TheSalmonMousse · 06/06/2025 12:53

Dangermoo · 06/06/2025 12:46

Thanks for posting from a cyclist's point of view. The arrogance explains a lot.

What's arrogant about pointing out an empty path and how lazy most people are? Maybe if some of those people walked instead of driving the roads would be safer for cyclists.

Balloonhearts · 06/06/2025 12:49

Dangermoo · 06/06/2025 12:44

Use your common sense.

Do you disagree that there are more dangerous drivers on the roads now than there were, say, 20 years ago?

Because statistics say there are and as someone who occasionally has to ride a horse down a bit of road to access a bridleway, I agree with those statistics. You get people bombing along at ridiculous speeds round blind corners, I saw one nearly crash into a tractor the other day. Unfortunately common sense isn't particularly common these days.

I'm not sure I'd let my younger kids ride bikes on the roads. The teens do but not the younger ones.

Sandandsea123 · 06/06/2025 12:48

We’ve got a lovely cycle path near me, alongside a busy road. Guess where cyclists prefer to ride / hold up traffic?

Dangermoo · 06/06/2025 12:46

TheSalmonMousse · 06/06/2025 12:42

This shows how lazy our town is and why I will cycle on footpaths. Middle of huge town, nice day. Not a soul (except me) using their legs. All the couch potatoes are in their cars.

Thanks for posting from a cyclist's point of view. The arrogance explains a lot.

Dangermoo · 06/06/2025 12:44

Balloonhearts · 06/06/2025 12:43

Use your words.

Use your common sense.

Balloonhearts · 06/06/2025 12:43

Dangermoo · 06/06/2025 12:41

🙄

Use your words.

TheSalmonMousse · 06/06/2025 12:42

This shows how lazy our town is and why I will cycle on footpaths. Middle of huge town, nice day. Not a soul (except me) using their legs. All the couch potatoes are in their cars.

Bicycles on pavements - why are they not being ridden on a road?
Dangermoo · 06/06/2025 12:41

Balloonhearts · 06/06/2025 12:40

Probably because people drive like fucking lunatics now.

Edited

🙄

Balloonhearts · 06/06/2025 12:40

Probably because people drive like fucking lunatics now.

Dangermoo · 06/06/2025 12:40

MrsSlocombesCat · 06/06/2025 12:32

I don't mind cyclists on the pavement, even though I'm not one myself. I walk every day so it's a common occurrence to be passed by them. It seems to me that a pedestrian hit by a cyclist is in less danger than a cyclist hit by a vehicle on the road. The stats may show a decrease in cyclist accidents with motor vehicles but the injuries can be severe so the risk of harm is still very high.

Why has it got to be a race to the bottom? Stats are irrelevant in determining whether cyclists should ride on pavements. There's an awful lot of stretching going on to accommodate this.

LostFuse · 06/06/2025 12:39

OverlyFragrant · 06/06/2025 11:55

Interestingly Section 72 of the Highways Act 1835 states it is only a crime for a cyclist to ride on the public footpath adjacent to a road. So if it's not adjacent to a road, perfectly legal.

"or set apart for the use or accommodation of foot passengers"