Pavement Cyclists

[fiftiesfresh22]

Probably done to death.

Pavement cyclists are a menace on the street on which I live (reasonably busy road, narrow footpaths (not shared) wide verges both sides. There are several alternative quieter roads very close by which cyclists could use if they feel unsafe/not confident to ride on the road down here, all of which end up on the same main road at the end, literally a minute away from each other. But still some choose to ride on the even narrower pavements down those.

So todays offering...walking my dog on the footpath, on his non-extendable, standard lead as always, from behind me come two cyclists who I did not see or hear approaching obviously, who ''buzzed'' me {passed very close at speed) and made me jump. Thankfully my dog was on the other side of me, and as I startled I said ''FGS''. To which one of them turned & said ''FGS? you should have your dog on a very tight lead...'' along with something else which I could not hear as they continued riding away. I guess it was probably along the lines of ''so that we can pass''.

The arrogance of some cyclists (who we are led to believe are in the minority) who believe that the footpaths are their domain if they see fit, pedestrians are in THEIR way, and it is the pedestrians responsibility to walk looking over their shoulder/with eyes in the back of their head etc in order to facilitate the cyclists illegal journey., all without challenge. So many times I see elderly/mobility scooter bound/parents with toddlers & prams/dog walkers being passed at speed & close quarters. This of course is facilitated by the fact that the law is interpreted, not upheld, and pavement cyclists are completely ignored, even when witnessed by passing police, both on foot or in a vehicle and now of course we also have electric scooters.

Hang on. You want folk out for a walk to do so in single file on the left hand side?

On yer bike.

Yes yes yes! Forget about cyclists, on busy pavements it would be so much better if everyone walked on their left. It's just sensible, rather than having to constantly weave around each other.

And the pedestrians of course. Or is it just the bell dingers who should get the credit for that?

People can walk where they like on shared paths - you can sing your bell and if there’s room you can move past. Pedestrians should move over but they should not be forced off the path or right up against the wall in order to let cyclists past - if there isn’t enough room you’ll have to wait until there is space.

Ding obvs

If people stuck to the left. Instead of wandering all over the entire width of the path this would be such a non issue

If the twatty pavement cyclists stuck to their own space this would be a non issue.

And as for bells annoying you. What are they meant to do ? Literally sit and wait for you to decide to look behind you ?

What you're meant to do is not ride on the pavements.

woe betide anyone actually contributing to the climate changes positively by riding a bike

you can still contribute positively without riding your bike in pedestrian spaces… pedestrians who are also contributing positively by walking.

The woman got screamed at and shoved into the road! A jury decided she would have been alive if not for the pedestrians actions!!

Let's flip that. You want to walk at your chosen space. Preventing everyone else from walking/cycling faster than you ? Selfish much ?
The bell is meant to be a 'hi I'm behind you'. Not. 'Fuck off out of my way now'

No-one should be cycling on the pavement at all, so pedestrians don’t have to do anything there.

On shared paths cyclists can use their bell to let people know they’re behind them - and then they have to wait until the pedestrians can move over safely. What cyclists must not do - but many of them don’t seem to realise this - is to use their bell to instruct pedestrians to move over immediately, shout at them to get out of their way, or expect pedestrians to get off the path or flatten themselves onto the wall to facilitate the cyclists smooth passage through.

You want to walk at your chosen space. Preventing everyone else from walking/cycling faster than you ? Selfish much ?
The bell is meant to be a 'hi I'm behind you'. Not. 'Fuck off out of my way now'

If I'm on a pavement (you know, those things made for the benefit of pedestrians?) then I'll walk at my chosen pace. I don't care if you're behind me, I'm on a pavement, and if you want to cycle at your chosen speed get off the pavement. I don't care if you're behind me, I'm not there for your convenience.

What are you doing wanting to cycle at speed on the pavement anyway?

Yeah, ringing a bell on the pavement is like shouting "would you move your hand??? I'm trying to steal your purse!!!!" in a really twatty outraged voice.

Normally they ring it last minute so it’s loud and they are already right behind you.

What's the alternative?

Me and my son walk behind you with our bikes for the next mile?

Do you make joggers wait behind you too?

People who walk faster than you?

@SirChenjins

My son is five. We bike to school along a shared path. I'm teaching him to use his bell and say thank you. We both do it.

@DatumTarum What part of ‘cyclists must not ride on the pavement’ do you not understand?

If you're on the pavement then get off your bike and walk past. Like faster walkers do past slower walkers and fast joggers do past slow ones. Why is walking for a bit such an imposition for you?

He's 5.

'Shared pavement' seems to mean 'you can have a little bit of space, pedestrians, just don't be in my way when I want to speed past.'

How? There's a pedestrian or two blocking the path in front of me.

And you’re not. Cyclists should not ride on the pavement - and if you do, then don’t be a twat (and teach your son likewise) and ding your bell at the people who are entitled to be there. Get off your bike, walk and wait until you can get past before getting back on your bike.

Getting off and walking does not give us (me and a five year old) the ability to levitate over your head. You still need to physically allow us past.

No, they’re not blocking the path in front of you - it’s called a pavement and you have no right to be on it. They, on the other hand, have every right not to move an inch.

I can't get past- there are people in front of me.

I cycle with my son on the pavement and in the park, because he is five. Five year olds don't get to go out on their own.

When FPNs were introduced for pavement cycling in 1999, Home Office Minister Paul Boateng issued guidance saying 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.”

What, all of it? what are they doing, lying down in front of you shouting No Pasaran! or something?

Oh right. what you mean is 'not immediately getting out of our way,' don't you?

@SirChenjins

The laws of physics apply to pedestrians.