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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to tell (adult) cyclists to GET OFF THE PAVEMENT!

253 replies

CelticPromise · 19/04/2012 13:21

On my run last night a man cycled up behind me and passed pretty close. I didn't hear him cos listening to music. I didn't plan to say anything but 'get off the pavement!' just came out of my mouth. He shouted back something about there being no space on the road.

He then waited outside (i presume) his house and asked if I had a problem, to which I said I did with adults cycling on the pavement. He seemed to think that he was perfectly justified in cycling on the pavement because 'there is no space'. This went into a minor slanging match and I just told him to grow up and ran off.

Now I am not proud of shouting and if I could do it over i'd apologise for that and quietly point out that what he was doing is illegal and dangerous. But AIBU to say something? Has is become acceptable to cycle on pavements? Am I in the wrong?

OP posts:
muttimalzwei · 19/04/2012 19:58

Cyclists should not go on the, pavement but cyclists get a shit deal in this country and are often seen as no more than an irritant. Cycling is still seen as a bit of a hippy hobby. It could be so much better done over here, but there are very few places where cycling can be a pleasure. Drivers always get priority. What a wasted opportunity, we should have cycling paths to compete with Germany and Holland but it will never happen. I can't see it happening cost it's just not a vote winner. People love their cars too much.

Bennifer · 19/04/2012 20:00

My last post should have said "impatient driver"

Kayano · 19/04/2012 20:03

I hate how these cyclist threads always go on about car drivers! Argh!!! Yes cars do stupid things too but it doesn't mean cyclists have to do stupid things in return! Stay on the road or if you need to get on a (non cycle
Path) get of the fucking bike and push it

anniewoo · 19/04/2012 20:06

I was knocked down years ago cycling on the pavement. I hate seeing litle ones cycling ahead of their parents on the pavement as drivers might not see them if they reverse out of their driveways.Sad

Frontpaw · 19/04/2012 20:10

As a pedestrian I am not supposed to be 'using' the road, whereas cyclists are, ergo, a helmet would be a good idea.

Lights in the day - well, duh? Who said in the day, you are being obturse, as obviously - meant evening/night/bad visability

High vis/ wearing light colours - this was the advice they used to give out on public info films. 'Be seen' and all that. And they did used to day that pedestrians should wear lig ht colours while walking at night. So when I am walking or riding (a horse) at night where there is no streetlights or pavements, I wear bright colours. When riding, you wear 'indicator' lights. I would not put a horse in danger of being hit by another vehicle. I also wear a helmet - a friend was killed when she was 12 when she fell off a horse without a helmet.

You are just looking for an argument but you aren't going to get one. It isn't the law to wear a helmet, and as I have said, its your head. Of course cycling on the road is more dangerous than walking on the pavement or crossing the road. I don't go about yelling 'get a helmet'.

bucketbetty · 19/04/2012 20:23

I've only been cycling a few months and I absolutely love it. I save money on petrol, I feel I'm getting fit, I contribute to the environment. I love it but I'm also fearful when I'm on the road. I try to be confident and I prefer the road to pavement. It's such a pain to get off and on a path. I do however sometimes go on the path with my ds. He'd too young yet to go on the road and I'm working on building his skills so that he can eventually go on the road. I say we should support all cyclists. We re clearly superior beings. :) although being inconsiderate on the pavements is not on.

notaniphoneownerjustabadtypist · 19/04/2012 20:25

YANBU! And it's illegal too. If cyclist must use the pavement, they hae to dismount and push the bike.
Oh and re. pavent cyclists ringing their bells - they have no right to do make you move! Ignore, ignore, ignore and walk slower.

ToadsPornFrogsPawn · 19/04/2012 20:29

I'm not looking for an argument. Just saying that anyone who walks across a road could be hit by a car, so if we use your logic, should wear a helmet and high vis clothing.
Everyone "knows" someone killed when not wearing a helmet on a bike. I bet everyone also "knows" someone killed when crossing the road, or when driving a car. Life is risky but that doesn't mean that everybody should wear safety clothing at all times.
And my very first point about lights was to refute a suggestion that lights were necessary or appropriate during the day. Only a fool would not have bike lights at night.

blueballoon79 · 19/04/2012 20:29

I hate adult cyclists using the footpath. When my daughter was only 14 months old I was pushing her along the footpath when suddenly a woman came speeding around the corner on the footpath on her bike and crashed into my daughters pram. Luckily my daughter wasn't hurt but I dread to think what might have happened.
The woman apologised but I was too upset and shaken to give her the shouting at that she deserved.

GrendelsMum · 19/04/2012 20:34

Anniewoo - that is so true. It really isn't safe for little children to go speeding ahead on pavements where cars might be pulling out of their drives. Terrifies me when I see it.

GrendelsMum · 19/04/2012 20:35

Oh, and on a shared cyclepath with pedestrians wandering around on the cycle part, I ring my bell a long way in advance of the pedestrians, so it isn't a noisy surprise that makes them jump.

bucketbetty · 19/04/2012 20:38

Notaniphone how bloody ridiculous. Ignore? Seriously that's absurd. Not all cyclists are inconsiderate. In fact if a cyclist is ringing their bell and cycling responsibly what on earth is so wrong with that? I'm currently teaching my son and regularly have to get on the path with him. Every pedestrian I've informed of my presence with my bell have been very nice and never ignored me. What's with all the resentful aggression towards cyclists . I really don't get it!

bucketbetty · 19/04/2012 20:39

I also worry about my child on the pavements. We really desperately need more cycle paths.

TheFarSide · 19/04/2012 21:10

As I think someone mentioned upthread, there might be fewer unskilled and inconsiderate cyclists if all cyclists were required by law to take the cycling proficiency test. Or maybe bikes should have registration plates.

I'm guessing it would be difficult to police (there are so many illegal car drivers) but it might discourage some of the bad behaviours.

TheFarSide · 19/04/2012 21:14

I must say I'm not too thrilled when walking to work in the mornings to often be forced off the pavement by a herd of prams and tots on trikes and scooters racing towards me without looking where they're going ... Grin

Whatmeworry · 19/04/2012 21:15

I drive my car on the road and I walk on the pavement and I find - to no great surprise - that cyclists are an inconsiderate pain in the arse on both.

vess · 19/04/2012 21:27

I actually think there's nothing wrong with cycling on the pavement if it's empty. Pedestrians should obviously have priority on pavements, and cyclists should get off their bikes if there are people walking, and generally cycle on pavements with extreme caution - but still, in the absence of cycle tracks, I still think it is the safest option for everyone. Some roads are just too dangerous. Cyclists are much more in danger of being hit by a car than pedestrians being hit by a cyclist.

Original poster
CelticPromise · 19/04/2012 22:26

Toads I wasn't complaining I couldn't hear, just explaining why. I am doubly careful crossing roads with earphones in but I don't expect anything faster than overtaking runners on the pavement.

bucket you aren't supposed to be on the pavement so you shouldn't ring your bell to move people out of the way!

Surely no confident cyclist actually wants to share a pavement with walkers? They slow you down!

OP posts:
CarnivorousPanda · 19/04/2012 22:36

Well ,where I live there are many shared pavements, clearly marked . But I still get shouted at and told to get back on the road by pedestrians who obviously don't understand what the signs plastered all over the place mean.

Often they are the ones who will walk in the bike lane with headphones on.

AngryBeaver · 19/04/2012 22:40

My 3 and 5 year old were close to being mown down by a boy of about 11/12 (maybe more) flying past us on the pavement (standing up)...we were at the end of our drive. He didn't slow down at all. He missed my ds by a whisker. I shouted at him "get off the pavement.IT.IS.FOR.PEDESTRIIIIAAAANNNNS!"
THEN. on the same day...my ds was on his little scooter and a teenager came from the opposite direction,on a motorised bike. Ds was just ahead of me (at a viewing platform) and I had to scream to stop him from coming out into the path of this idiot. I was so shocked it took me a second to say anything and the guy smiled and waved at me on the way passed! I think he got this face Shock Angry and then looked suprised when I shouted "you shouldn't be on the pavement fgs!" a man sitting on a bench who witnessed it also shouted at him to get onto the road.
It's ridiculous people think this is ok. Pavements are for pedestrians.

CurrySpice · 19/04/2012 22:40

"I drive my car on the road and I walk on the pavement and I find - to no great surprise - that cyclists are an inconsiderate pain in the arse on both." YY whatme! Exactly!

And I disagree with you Bennifer when you say that in "Holland...People expect to see cyclists on the ride and driver more safely."

They don't expect to see them on the road. You never see cyclists on the road, because there are cycle paths everywhere. Without exception.

inabeautifulplace · 19/04/2012 23:21

YANBU. If you don't feel confident enough to ride on the road, where you really belong as an urban cyclist, then on the pavement you are a second class citizen. As such you should expect to give way to any pedestrians and ride in a safe manner at all times. If you can't do that then you shouldn't be on a bike.

The fact that motorists often treat fellow human beings as being worth less than the shit you scrape off your shoe is, sadly, relevant but will never excuse dangerous behaviour.

LurcioLovesFrankie · 19/04/2012 23:38

YANBU - another cyclist (and runner) here. If you're not confident on the main road, find a back route. If you're not confident there either, book yourself on a cycling proficiency course. If you're still not confident after that, buy a bus pass. Love the suggestion of shouting "do your mum and dad not let you ride on the road yet?"

ChickenLickn · 20/04/2012 00:15

Its fine to cycle on the pavement, as long as people are considerate of each other.

springydaffs · 20/04/2012 00:15

I am a confident and experienced cyclist. I use all the equipment - lights, helmet, high vis clothing. I use back roads most of the time so that I don't have to ride on the pavement. When I have no choice, I ride on the pavement. I can't afford public transport.

I can't help thinking that most of you's posting on this thread are not cyclists, or not regular cyclists. Get on your bike for a month as your only mode of transport, then come back on and we'll hear what you have to say about cycling on our roads.