I want a bicycle !

[cheeseandcoleslaw]

Can any recommend ? I'd love one of those vintage styles with a basket, does anyone have something like that ?
The idea is to get one of those trailers for the kids and get some exercise !

@dynamiccactus I know right

I borrowed my friends specialised bike and I had no idea they could be so comfortable

It was effortless and like gliding on air

Amazing experience on a bike

Pretty sure it's illegal to cycle on the pavement. You should stick to walking if you're incapable of cycling in the appropriate place ie on the road/cycle path

@SagittariusDwarf Everyone who isn't in cycling gear cycles on the pavement.

So what? It's still illegal (not to mention highly irritating), but you do you. Enjoy getting in everyone's way with your clunky "pretty" bike with child box at the back.

it's not my experience that everyone who cycles in something other than Lycra does so on the pavement: quite the opposite where I am.

Why are you being so obtuse? Assuming you are in the UK it is illegal to cycle on the pavement, residential street or not. If you can't cope with the residential street you shouldn't be carting kids about. Enjoy your fixed penalty.

Why am I getting nasty comments because I don't want to cycle in a busy road with my children ? I've stated I will of course move off the pavement if needed, but I don't intend to ride fully in the road because it's scary. I don't drive because I'm autistic and struggle with all the information needed at once.

I'm going to leave this thread now as it's turning nasty. Thank you all who have commented with bike options, much appreciated.

No, they really don't. I never wear "cycling gear" and I cycle in the bike lane, on the road (or sometimes in the segregated bike lane where it exists).

If you aren't confident enough or safe enough to cycle in the road, you are not confident or safe enough to be cycling.

Where would you propose to move into, when getting off the pavement? The road?

You are clearly not cut out for cycling, and that's ok. Maybe take some time to reflect on the suitability of this whole plan.

Mine is a Giant, have a basket for groceries

@SagittariusDwarf

It's only illegal in specific areas by bylaw. All our pavements are designated shared use on my development!

OP, if you're not a confident cyclist there are people who can help. The council where I live has an Active Travel department which runs regular free cycling confidence sessions for adults who want to get back on a bike after a break. There may well be something similar in your area, or could look for a Bikeability course - they do adult specific ones, you don't get lumped in with little kids.
www.bikeability.org.uk/get-cycling/cycle-training-for-adults/
British Cycling's Breeze programme offers free rides for women and there are other groups, including those run by Cycling UK who organise community rides. These kind if events are a really good way to boost your confidence and to pick up useful cycling tips from other people. Just because you can't leap on a bike and whizz down the road confidently on day 1 doesn't mean you can't ride a bike. Don't give up on the idea if you're keen, there's plenty of support out there if you look for it.

Thank you so much this is great

Highway code Rule 64, you MUST NOT cycle on a pavement - https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code/rules-for-cyclists-59-to-82

Especially not with a large cumbersome trailer. Especially not when there are actual pedestrians on the path. Fml.

No they don't.

We have some pavements that are designated dual use here. They are painted with while down the middle and a bike on one side and a pedestrian on the other. Mostly pedestrians ignore that wand walk 4 abreast across the whole thing, so there is a lot of stopping and starting. Our pavements that aren't like that are mostly too narrow for you to fit down and bumping up and down off the pavement to get round obstacles/pedestrians/narrow bits is difficult with high kerbs/parked cars over any dropped kerbs etc. on top of the illegality of riding on the pavement it just isn't really practical. I think if you depend on going on pavements you manage it about twice then give up because it would be far too difficult with all the getting on and off to get off and on the pavement. I didn't fancy towing a trailer on the road as our roads are busy and drivers get far too close and kids are right in the exhaust level. I have a hybrid bike which I stick a basket on the front of and I put a kids seat on the back. You can also get little kids seats that go on the frame of men's bikes so that you can have one kid sat between your arms and one on the back. I just skipped the trailer stage for the above reasons and decided just to take the hit and spent 2 years teaching little one how to ride her bike and building up her stamina. Now she cycles herself. At 6 years old she could do 8 miles.

If you’re on a bike you’re a cyclist 🤷🏻‍♀️

Not sure that's correct and see the post further down from @Anotherfrozenpizzafortea

in any case, regardless of the letter of the law, cycling a clunky bike with a kid box on the back, along a pavement, is a nobbish and antisocial thing to do.

I hate shared-use sections. Pedestrians are always randomly stepping into/wandering across them with no warning at all, so if there's any foot traffic it's necessary to ride the slowest you can possibly manage, which is still too fast for many pedestrians. They're not fair to anyone (except motorists).

Part of my route to work is the dream - a fully segregated, sunken so pedestrians don't think it's part of the pavement, bike path. But I'd rather ride in the road the vast majority of times than use the crappy "shared use" bits.

OP, I was going to suggest you do a cycling course, just to increase your confidence. It’s well worth checking out courses available in your area. If you’re not a confident cyclist, then I think this would be the first important thing to do, particularly if you are planning to be out and about with your kiddies.

I’m also on the family cycling group on FB. Again, this is a lovely place with lots of experienced people happy to share information. I’ve never used a trailer (couldn’t afford it when my DC were little), so can’t comment, but ask about and research this. Don’t be daunted or put off, there will be something available that will suit you and your family! One of my good friends used a beautiful Christiana box bike. Her three kiddies sat in the front box and she zipped about on that.

My kids are older now, but when my eldest was a baby (now 18yrs old!), I started out using a child seat with my lovely Specialised mountain bike (which I still have as I love it - it’s 26yrs old now and in perfect condition). Took a brief hiatus from cycling when I got my car license and got back into cycling when my youngest was about 4 or 5. Got a Halfords e-bike but found that I couldn’t fit a rear rack strong enough to have panniers and a suitable seat for dropping youngest to school (very annoying!). (Again something to research! See what fits with what bikes!!). I was left some money, took the plunge and got a Tern HSD. Not cheap, but it will take a passenger that weighs up to 60kg. With panniers and a front basket, there is more than enough space to take a good week’s worth of food shopping. I used to drop my youngest off at breakfast club and then zip off to work (beating the rush hour traffic). If I ever decide to give up my car, then the Tern will suffice for most of my car journeys (mainly local stuff, apart from occasional camping trips/long distance driving).

I think in your situation, I’d research what sort of bikes are around, how much you’d use it (and what for), the set up you’d like to use, what are the roads and cycle routes like in your area, what sort of storage you have available for it etc. logistics of putting it away etc. the Tern is great but bloody heavy, I use a ramp thing to wheel it in/out the summer house (I don’t have a garage). Also budget for helmets, gloves, high vis stuff like jackets and good security stuff for the bike.

E-bikes are bloody brilliant when you’re ferrying about kids etc, and I just have big smile on my face when I’m zipping about on my Tern. I feel like I’m 18 again!! It makes the hills a doddle too. I still have my Specialised bike but I love the step-through and upright position of cycling that my Tern offers. I used it today for commuting to work (just under 5miles each way).

FWIW, I don’t deck myself out in Lycra - today I wore my jeans, trainers, a sweater and my cycling jacket (plus cycling helmet and gloves). Should have bloody worn my over trousers and some shoe covers to keep feet dry from the spray, but never mind!

(sorry, that was stupidly long)

Dont get a bike then, what on earth are you talking about?

@soupyspoon I'd be a hazard ON the road. I don't drive therefore am not confident enough to cycle on the road. Please read the full thread before commenting with a bad attitude.
I am perfectly capable of riding a bike, I road 5 miles daily for ten years, on the pavement and never managed to run anyone over believe it or not. It's the road that worries me, therefore I won't do it. Thanks all.

But. It's. ILLEGAL. To. Cycle. On. The. Pavement.

Hire some bikes at center Parcs maybe, or find a designated cycle path route near you.

But you cannot use your lack of confidence on roads to justify cycling on the path. It's dangerous for you but more importantly other path users, you know - pedestrians - kids, elderly, other people walking going about their everyday business.

FML.

Cycling on the pavement is illegal and a hazard to pedestrians. If you are going to cycle, at least read up on the Highway Code

I have a bike and I am not confident on the road, I dont go on roads, I cycle only on cycle paths or shared spaces.

Ive read the full thread, you have no right to cycle on pavements for pedestrians.

You have the bad attitude if you think you have the right to do this.