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

That’s why we did cycling proficiency presumably

does this still happen

You have to use your common sense, don't you? I wouldn't personally start yelling after a kid cycling on a pavement that they were in breach of the 'Highway Code Points 62 and 64' if the road looked dangerous to cycle on.

@OverlyFragrant - good question. Section 62 of the Highway Code states, "On such shared use routes, you should always take care when passing pedestrians, especially children, older or disabled people, and allow them plenty of room. Always be prepared to slow down and stop if necessary (see Rule H2)." It doesn't cover every scenario, but it seems like a common sense starting point.

Eh? You don't think there's a strong anti-cycling sentiment in this country?

I doubt anybody minds parents riding on a pavement with their young children. I certainly don't, that's common sense.

Had a google

HC

64
You MUST NOT cycle on a pavement.
Laws HA 1835 sect 72 & R(S)A 1984, sect 129

It’s perfectly safe to cycle in the pavement if done with care to other users, though best avoided. On a shared cycle/pedestrian path it’s acceptable to ring your bell politely to alert pedestrians to your presence so they can allow you to pass. Cycling on the road should be done assertively. Frequently the state of the road close to the kerb can be shocking and dangerous to ride on. Not all cyclists wear Lycra. I’ve cycled with my young DC on the road, but with great care. They need to learn good road sense.

In the last 6 months we have had two cyclists killed by car drivers on what should be a 30mph road.

It's so dangerous for cyclists. I'd rather my kid rode slowly and sensibly on a path than navigate a road and impatient drivers.

Luckily, most of our city has well connected cycleways but it's an absolute death trap for any areas that do not..

In this picture, it's shared with a bus lane, so potentially more dangerous than a "normal" lane?

You've definitely run out of straws to grasp.

I can't see your link unfortunately, but I imagine it's because being road-adjacent makes it more dangerous?

"I've also had bells rung at me endlessly from a distance away until right behind me"

I'm not saying yay or nay to the debate...but I often ring my bell from a distance to let a pedestrian know I'm coming behind. It's not a get out of the way signal, it's so they don't get a fright when I pass. By the scowls and glares I get, people clearly think I'm dinging them to get out of my way. I'm not. I slow down and say thank you with a smile, even if I'm getting daggers.

I don't cycle on pedestrian pavements mind...but the shared paths, pedestrians think it's theirs, the dog walkers think it's theirs, the group excursion think it's fine to block the path.
Everyone needs to be more considerate.

But this is not actually what the Highway Code say (stand aside and let cyclists pass):

62
Cycle Tracks. These are routes for cyclists that are physically protected or located away from motor traffic, other than where they cross side roads (see Rule 206). Cycle tracks may run alongside footpaths or pavements and be separated by a feature such as a change of material, a verge, a kerb or a white line. You MUST keep to the side intended for cyclists as the pedestrian side remains a pavement or footpath.
Some cycle tracks shared with pedestrians will not be separated by such a feature. On such shared use routes, you should always take care when passing pedestrians, especially children, older or disabled people, and allow them plenty of room. Always be prepared to slow down and stop if necessary (see Rule H2).

64
You MUST NOT cycle on a pavement.
Laws HA 1835 sect 72 & R(S)A 1984, sect 129

I’m well and truly in the reclaim the pavement for the pedestrian.

I see the political decision to move cyclists onto pavements as a convenience ill thought through in an era of mechanised cycles and scooters which can exceed 20 mph. In my area 20mph is signposted as the maximum speed limit but mechanised cycles and scooters, and racers regularly overtake the cars whilst on the footpath or on the pavement.

I feel very unsafe on pavements and furious that this space has been requisitioned as parking space also, often forcing pedestrians onto the road to navigate round them.

The pavement and footpaths was a space for young child to play safely as they walk with their adult carer. This has been lost in favour of speed.

I now have to apply ‘look, signal, manoeuvre’ before deviating off my course to prevent risk of a collision with a cyclist or scooter rider. At least if I was in a collision with a vehicle there would be expectation of proven competence to handle a vehicle on the public highway, and potential for a financial claim in the event the injury occurred impacts on the injured party financially. This safeguard is absent in relation to cyclists and scooters riders.

So furious I am pursuing this with my local councillor.

I have been known to shake my stick at them and say "on the road, young man, on the road!" in stentorian tones. Some of them have the decency to look sheepish, others tell me to eff off.

I understand why cyclists do it but it is annoying when they come up behind you ringing their bell when they shouldn't be there in the first place or when you are walking two abreast and move to single file to allow then to pass and they don't even thank you.

I understand the safety aspect but then they need to dismount when there are pedestrians or go in the road

they should not be making you get out of their way and being annoyed you are there

Unless it’s a designated shared path its illegal to ride on the pavement

I got shouted at as a teenager for riding on the pavement, about 20 years ago, so if it's no longer happening then it must be a recent change.

The reason I rode on the pavement was I wasn't confident riding on the road. I was going very slowly and no danger to anyone. However I do appreciate now that even though I felt I wasn't a hazard, the rules are there for a reason.

I have recently started riding on very quiet roads around my local area to build up some confidence but I live abroad in a country where cycling is very common. I am not sure I would do it in the UK.

Give way. As in get off their bike and walk behind them? Stop and wait for them to pass, even if they're going in the same direction? Slow down and pass at walking speed?

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.

Indeed. Equally, everyone should cease this 'cyclists are a nuisance who must be eradicated' rhetoric, which has likely contributed to the increase in cycling on the pavement.

Cycle lanes in this country are terrible and just a token gesture. In Holland they have it right; road, large grass verge, cycle path. Not narrow strip on existing busy road.

How much inconvenience is involved in having to occasionally stand aside for a moment while a cyclist passes?

All things considered, I would not and do not have a problem with cyclists using the pavement if it means that a mother is not going to have to open the door to a policeman telling her that her child has been knocked over by a car on the useless cycle lane on the local main road.

Ultimately, the arrangement is dangerous and new thinking from local authorities and governments is needed to keep cyclists safe in our town centres but while that happens, just stand aside and allow them to pass.

So the answer is to endanger the most vulnerable people, ie pedestrians?? Clearly not. If a cyclist doesn’t feel safe on the road, the solution is to campaign for safer roads and/or stop cycling on dangerous roads.

It means cyclists should give way to pedestrians on shared-use cycle tracks.