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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

for telling a young girl off for cycling on the pavement??

244 replies

lottiejenkins · 09/08/2011 15:57

I went shopping in our local market town this morning with my ds Wilf (profoundly deaf). We stopped at the florists where my cousin works and as we were leaving Wilf went out of the front door ahead of me. He then suddenly stepped back and i saw that girl (aged about ten) had nearly knocked him over as she cycled past on the pavement!! Hmm I called after her and said that Wilf was deaf and that is one of the many reasons why she shouldnt be cycling on the pavement. I didnt see any parent with her. Surely if shes that nervous of traffic she shouldnt be out on her own???

OP posts:
TheBigJessie · 09/08/2011 15:58

Her parents may have told her to cycle on the pavement.

JosieRosie · 09/08/2011 15:59

YANU. I am sick and flipping tired of almost getting knocked down my cyclists on pavement. I don't care if they are adults or children - get on the damn road! Sounds like you did the right thing by explaining that your son was deaf, rather than just yelling at her. Love the name Wilf by the way Smile

HamstersDontSwim · 09/08/2011 16:00

I thought that children were allowed to cycle on pavements.

She didnt hurt anyone so whats your problem?

CMOTdibbler · 09/08/2011 16:00

YANBU. Cycling on the pavement is never acceptable in town, and where pavements are quiet, only by under 8's at most

Original poster
lottiejenkins · 09/08/2011 16:02

That is my point entirely, people are not supposed to cycle on the pavement!! It is illegal!!!

OP posts:
Kayano · 09/08/2011 16:02

Yanbu

But.... AIBU to turn this thread into a 'I love the name Wilf' thread please?

Original poster
lottiejenkins · 09/08/2011 16:03

Hamsters my "problem" is that she nearly knocked my son off his feet. Due to his deafness and dyspraxia his balance is not brilliant!!! If she had fallen off her bike into the road i would have felt terrible!!!

OP posts:
MissVerinder · 09/08/2011 16:04

I believe the max age is 8; therefore if she looked about 10, it would have been too close to call.

The key word there is "nearly" knocked him over. TBF I would have been raging if it were my DD too, but maybe YWBU to "tell her off" rather than explaining why she should be more careful/ride on the road if possible.

Did she stop?

Original poster
lottiejenkins · 09/08/2011 16:04

Kayano Grin

OP posts:
Original poster
lottiejenkins · 09/08/2011 16:06

She didnt stop no. I explained to her that my son was deaf and that i wasnt happy that she was on the pavement. I asked if she was ok she said she was and carried on cycling! It could have been an elderly person.......Hmm

OP posts:
cat64 · 09/08/2011 16:06

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

LineRunner · 09/08/2011 16:06

Our local beat police say that if you are old enough to ride a bike without stabilisers then you should be learning to cycle on the road.

A little lad cycled past me on the pavement yesterday, all of a wobble - he would be about 7 - and as I stepped out of his way to let him past he shouted, 'Thank you!'. No-one minds that.

BilboBloggins · 09/08/2011 16:07

I think YABU. I don't think kids as young as 10 should be cycling on the road.

I also think if your DS is deaf and dyspraxic, you should have been holding his hand or if too old for that, he should look before stepping out.

What if it was a jogger/runner nearly knocked him down? Should they be on the road too?

Highlander · 09/08/2011 16:08

With modern, heavily congested roads and cars that don't dent - it's too dangerous to cycle on the road.

Original poster
lottiejenkins · 09/08/2011 16:10

If they are not capable of cycling on the road on their own without an adult Bilbo then they shouldnt be out on his own. I neglected to say that my ds is also autistic.. He shouldnt have to look before he steps out of a shop he should have access to the pavement without being nearly knocked over"""

OP posts:
IAmTheCookieMonster · 09/08/2011 16:10

they should bring back cycling proficiency at school, and then everyone over 10 would be confident enough on the road. But in a lot of areas it is simply unsafe for any child no matter how confident.

JosieRosie · 09/08/2011 16:11

Highlander, it's too dangerous for pedestrians if you cycle on the pavement! I'm a fully-grown adult without any hearing or balance issues and I have almost been knocked over by morons cycling at speed on the pavement.

MissVerinder · 09/08/2011 16:11

In that case YWNBU x

Hope Wilf (best name ever) is ok.

Gonzo33 · 09/08/2011 16:11

I think the Uk should do what Germany does - have an extra wide path with a cycle lane. If you walk in the cycle lane in Germany though you are fair game!

HamstersDontSwim · 09/08/2011 16:14

I still think YABU
''He then suddenly stepped back''
So Wilf stepped back -he could have knocked ovey an elderly person.

I'm glad that your Ds was not hurt, but if he dosnt look before he steps back he could get hurt by somone on foot,mobility scooter or bike.

BilboBloggins · 09/08/2011 16:14

Actually lottie, he should look. Do you blindly walk out of shop doors not caring who you bump into? What about mobility scooters? Is he allowed to blindly wander out in front of them? Folk with prams?

If he is as bad as you describe - hold his hand and watch out for him.

LineRunner · 09/08/2011 16:15

My kids' former primary school does run cycling proficiency courses (different name now, though) in the school hols. State school, courses open to all local kids.

Danthe4th · 09/08/2011 16:17

Bring back cycling proficiency?? it never left, all schools can do it if they wish. Ours does it every year, and the age is 10 when children should cycle on the roads.

HamstersDontSwim · 09/08/2011 16:17

Would you be able to use a wrist strap?

Original poster
lottiejenkins · 09/08/2011 16:18

Bilbobaggins i think you are being very patronising to disabled people!! Hmm They dont all need their hands you know!!!

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