To think if cars don't allow enough room for my bike, I have no choice but to go onto the pavement?

[Hammy02]

I cycle to work everyday but increasingly I've found that cars are so close to the pavement that I couldn't fit my bike inbetween. What am I supposed to do? I live in a city in which there are loads of bikes so locals should be used to cyclists. Unless it is tourists but still.

Bikes shouldn't be on the road full stop imo and when I rule the world they will be BANNED! [shock}

If there are bike lanes that's ok

Also, when I rule the world I will learn how to use smilies properly!

Do you mean when they pass you they give you no room or when you (try to) pass by the left side of them if they are in a queue?

Ahh bikes on roads annoying... Bikes on paths annoying.. Rules Bikes full stop are annoying sorry

Why are you sneaking up the inside of them? Why don't you ride in the middle of the lane?

"cars are so close to the pavement that I couldn't fit my bike inbetween"
Are the cars parked? In which case you should be on the other side of the cars, cycling on the road.
Are the cars moving? In which case surely you'd be in hospital having been squished?

Sorry, not following the scenario, could you explain a little more please?

You have to move out so that you're taking up the space that a car would.

If the traffic is fairly slow moving, it should be fine. If it's faster, maybe move in enough for them to overtake.

I'm always deeply impressed by the really confident cyclists in London, they take up their position and stick to it no matter what.

I mean when cars are in a queue, a traffic jam. I want to cycle between them and the pavement. I wouldn't cycle in the middle of the lane as cars wouldn't expect bikes to be there.

YABU. You should ride in the road not the gutter. Muuch safer that way you see. A bike is a road vehicle and if you can't ride it safely yhen walk or take the bus.

saying that I appreciate how bullying and impatient many drivers can be, but you have to try to ignore them and stay on your line.

If you are talking about when you are in traffic, you should behave like a car IMO if there is not enough space and get in the middle of the lane.

It they're just passing too close you need to move out and take up more of the road. As a driver I hat that, but it is safer for cyclists because drivers are forced to wait for a time to pass.

Tough. Get into the queue of traffic like the rest of us.

The reason us driver don't leave you space between the pavement is because we don't want you to get in front of us and then hold us up while we wait forever until it is safe to overtake you.

and if the traffic is in a queue and there is no room for you to move past them then you should queue, not move onto the pavement. I'm sure you wouldn't be too impressed if a car drove on the pavement to avoid a traffic jam!

YABU - I have lost count of the number of times a cyclist has overtaken me and my young kids on the pavement. Really annoying and dangerous - was almost hit by a pavement-riding cyclist last night - I swerved to avoid some dog mess and almost collided with her.

Of course it's fine to go on the pavement if you have to. I assume of course you'd be walking on the pavement, not actually riding your bike. Can't see why anyone would have a problem with that.

Like others though I'm a bit confused by the scenario. I thought you meant parked cars, which obviously have to go close to the kerb or they'd be blocking the road. I agree you shouldn't be sneaking up on the left side of moving traffic, that is not safe at all, especially approaching junctions.

Oh I see - in a queue you should act like a car and take your place in the queue. Or go onto the pavement and walk to the front if you like!

No. Wait in the queue or walk like us.

And if you do go on the pavement and scare the bejesus out of my dd, try not to shout at her that she should get out of the fucking way.

Unless you are walking your bike on the pavement YABU

I love cycling but the number of cyclists who go through red lights, cycle on the pavements or other no cycling zones, with no lights at night and are generally dangerous make me mad. Ignorant bastards.

YABU they are in the right. You shouldn't be undertaking! And you certainly shouldn't be on a pavement.

I was always meh about the cyclist debate untill now.

my 3 year old niece was nearly run down yesterday by a really posh woman. She was in the middle pavement ands cycling really fast, i dragged my niece out the way and she only cleared us by an inch at most. She then yelled 'teach that paki to move out the way'.

so YABU stay on the roads and queue like everyone else.

YABU After reading your last comment, your problem is because you dont want to que? Get over it do you pay road tax? Nope.. Car que and they pay to use the road suck it up or risk your life.. I hate hate hate when people on bikes come down the side makes me want to open my door and knock them off

Stop cycling in the gutter and get out into the road like other road users. In traffic jams if you can't get to the front then just stay behind the car in front of you, but in the middle of the road, not between the car and the pavement.

Other cars will just have to wait for you if there is heavy traffic. You're a road user too and should be using the road just like a car.

If you are not confident then by all means get off your bike and walk on the pavement, but don't cycle on the pavement, it is illegal.

If you are trying to get past a long row of stationary traffic, then it is acceptable to filter on either the left or right, if there is no oncoming traffic. If there is not enough room on the left to cycle, try scooting along by pushing yourself with your left leg on the pavement and your wheels on the road. If the traffic really is not moving, and there is no room to cycle anywhere on the road, then get off and push your bike on the pavement until you are past the obstruction.

It is never ok to ride your bike on the pavement and is illegal for a reason. You are a road user, not a pedestrian. It is also never ok to go through a red light.

Please don't do this, as it gives cyclists a bad name and gives motorists who think bikes should not be on the road more cause to complain and be aggressive.