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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

In thinking bike L platers should be allowed on the pavement

52 replies

breathing · 26/04/2011 21:25

Just a little bit? When there are no people around?

Ive just learned to not fall off ride a bike and can go on straight stretch with nothing around but theres no way I can ride on the road. Id love to go for a ride down to the shops.

OP posts:
squeakytoy · 26/04/2011 21:27

If there are no people around, I would (and do) ride on the pavement on narrow busy roads that have lots of buses and lorries on them.

Wallace · 26/04/2011 21:29

thought you were talking about motorbikes Grin

bubblecoral · 26/04/2011 22:26

Surely you would have to be confident enough to ride on the road before you tried it though, because what if people aren't around on the way there but there are on the way back?

GiddyPickle · 26/04/2011 22:30

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

hairylights · 26/04/2011 22:46

I was going to ask the same as giddy - if it's motorbikes/mopeds you need a Compulsory Basic Training Certificate course, during which you will be expected to demonstrate competence all the way around a city centre while you cack yourself-- on the open highway

If you don't have one, you're riding illegally.

Ripeberry · 26/04/2011 22:50

So glad they have brought in the compulsory basic training. When I was 17yrs old back in the late 80s, there was no such thing. You could go out on a moped with NO IDEA of the rules of the road.
A few near misses, until I read the Highway Code.

I drive a car, but would love to learn how to ride a motorbike one day Grin

hairylights · 26/04/2011 22:52

Compulsory basic training has been necessary for mopeds or motorbikes since the early nineties at least when I crashed whilst doing it.

cat64 · 26/04/2011 23:03

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

MayBankHoliday · 27/04/2011 01:47

YABU - it's dangerous and inconvenient for pedestrians (whether you mean bicycle or moped). Do what everyone else does, and practise in the park/garden until you can travel properly on the road.

HowsTheSerenity · 27/04/2011 03:33

No! If you are under the age of ten and it is a busy road then yes it is ok. Anyone older should ride on the road. Footpaths are for people. If you are too scared to ride on the road then you should not be riding.

Congrats on learning to ride but why not practise in a big carpark or quiet road until you are more confident.

VajazzHands · 27/04/2011 05:00

I don't think YABU, I'm a pedestrian but am happy to share with bicyclist. You have t become confient before you get on the road IMO so pavement makes sense. Please just be very mindful of pedestrians and always get off your bike and walk around them since they are sharing with you

meditrina · 27/04/2011 06:34

Um - if you're not safe enough to be on the part of the highway where you're meant to be, why endanger pedestrians instead.

Especially children whose faces are at handlebar height? (Toddlers in particular have faces at the height of larger children's handlebars).

Or do you have an alternative place for pedestrians to walk safely?

If you start making exceptions for some, then no-one will know where they stand (or walk). If you're not capable of following the Highway Code and cycling properly on the road, then don't cycle until you can.

Bratfink · 27/04/2011 06:42

Come live in swindon. Everyone rides on the pavement here. It's wejrd, like some unwritten rule. Every single day I get stopped at 10 'pedestrian' crossings just to see cyclists sail across in front of me

Bunbaker · 27/04/2011 07:09

Just one little thing...

It is illegal. See here, section 64.

sausagesandmarmelade · 27/04/2011 07:13

Yes it is illegal....

But here in in London we still get people who think it's ok to ride on the pavements. I think the message needs reinforcing

YusMilady · 27/04/2011 07:21

I'm a cyclist and I hate to see people riding on pavements (or jumping red lights). Gets all of us a bad name. As a cyclist you are traffic - get on the road. It's really not as scary as you think.

PickleSarnie · 27/04/2011 07:49

My absolute pet hate is cyclists on the pavement. Especially when they are coming from behind and start dinging their bloody bells as if I'm somehow in their way. Grown adults should be on the road. Although I must admit, cycling round suburbia is much more daunting than when I used to cycle through rush hour London traffic. Cars don't appear to acknowledge the existence of cyclists.

A lot of councils do 'cycling confidence' courses I think - might be worth a look into it OP.

CurrySpice · 27/04/2011 07:53

Of course YABU

Original poster
breathing · 27/04/2011 08:20

I know its U. Its a bicycle btw for those uncertain.
No way would I go on the road, Im that much of a beginner i can just steer atm Blush. I need more practice.

OP posts:
Flisspaps · 27/04/2011 08:29

Practice in the local park then, where there's a big open space for you to ride.

hogsback · 27/04/2011 08:38

Can't you find some local cycle lanes? Many cycle lines are actually pavements anyway - the ones with a blue sign with a bike and a person on are shared use pavements.

CarrotsAreNotTheOnlyVegetables · 27/04/2011 08:42

If you are so inexperienced you can only just steer you are very likely to ride into someone on the pavement and hurt them.

Don't do it. Practice in the park until you are confident you can control the bike then get it on the road. Sorry, pavements are for pedestrians.

Old people especially find it very intimidating to have bikes whizzing past them on the pavement. My GF had to stop going out and ended up marooned in the house because of them.

chrisonabike · 27/04/2011 08:44

My friend's three year old nephew was knocked over and left with brain damage after being knocked over by a cyclist on a pavement. Anyone I see cycling on the pavement gets very short shrift from me.

Original poster
breathing · 27/04/2011 08:46

Believe me, I stop if anyone is metres away. Im that much of a beginner...if anyone comes close, I stop.

OP posts:
ChristinedePizan · 27/04/2011 08:47

Supermarket car park when its shut? Country park? Agree that a pavement is not the place to practice

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