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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To cycle on the pavement with children?

120 replies

Aquariusgirl86 · 08/11/2013 12:08

I commute to work on my bike and always cycle on the roads but recently bought a trailer for my bike so I can take my two children 14 months and 30 months out as we just got rid of the car. Is it ok to go on pavements? There are lots of cycle routes her but there's a few places I need to go that I can't use them, if I'm on small quiet roads I use the road but on medium- ish roads with wide pavements is it ok to use the pavement? I don't expect pedestrians to move out my way, I'm never in a huge hurry I just want to keep the kids safe.......aibu?

OP posts:
Beastofburden · 08/11/2013 13:02

good call, OP. Hope you enjoy your new bike-thingy. Stay safe.

meala · 08/11/2013 13:03

An article I read states that the home office issued guidance letter when the fixed penalty was introduced stating that it should be used with sense where cyclists are posing a hazard and shoud not be issued to under 16s.

introduction of the fixed penalty is not aimed at responsible cyclists who sometimes feel obliged to use the pavement out of fear of traffic and who show consideration to other pavement users when doing so. Chief police officers, who are responsible for enforcement, acknowledge that many cyclists, particularly children and young people, are afraid to cycle on the road, sensitivity and careful use of police discretion is required.”

The main quote was

Doyouthinktheysaurus · 08/11/2013 13:03

The thing is a lot of pavements are not busy at all! I wouldn't advocate anyone cycling on pavements during school run time but on quiet
Pavements, with small children in a trailer, it's no big deal IMO!

I do see a lot of people cycling on the pavement because I run a lot. I've never been bothered by children, or parents with small children. It's adults on their own that annoy me because I do think there comes a point when you need to accept you should be on the road.

Pan · 08/11/2013 13:05

oh that's good to know meala - commonsense.

BeyondTheLimitsOfAcceptability · 08/11/2013 13:08

I have gone on the pavement in between cycle paths, DH usually has the kids in the trailer and I just have me. I honestly didnt know it was illegal at the time,even when i was better than i am right now, I was still physically disabled and there is no way it would have been safe for me to go on the road.

Guess i have no choice but to never ride my bike again. No worries, I'll add it to the long list of things I can't do anymore.

Original poster
Aquariusgirl86 · 08/11/2013 13:13

Doyouthinkthey....this is exactly what I'm trying to say. I'm not a selfish person and I'm talking about pavements with no one on them.....seems silly to get off and push for this stretch just to tick a box......I am a law abiding citizen! I just remember a teacher at school saying that rules and laws are because people don't have the ability to use common sense. I'm not talking about cycling at high speed on a pavement full of people that is clearly dangerous and not allowed. I think that an empty pavement is a safe option, I feel like most people are just categorising me as every irresponsible selfish cyclist they have ever come across, which I am not.

OP posts:
Original poster
Aquariusgirl86 · 08/11/2013 13:15

That's interesting meala....where can I find that?

OP posts:
Basketofchocolate · 08/11/2013 13:16

It is illegal.

meala · 08/11/2013 13:18

www.bikehub.co.uk/featured-articles/cycling-and-the-law/

In the section in italics.

Original poster
Aquariusgirl86 · 08/11/2013 13:22

Thanks meala, I think I'm just gonna walk, as by the sounds of it there's a lot of people who would like to shout at me and I don't like confrontation :-P

OP posts:
NynaevesSister · 08/11/2013 13:23

If you are considerate, don't get in anyone's way, and aren't dangerous then no one is going to care. It wouldn't bother me. Go for it.

SuperStrength · 08/11/2013 13:25

I'm a cyclist & live in a bike mad house but I wouldn't do what you are suggesting.
Bikes are quiet & you are solely banking on your ability to see whether there really is anyone else on the pavement when you are planning to use it illegally.
What if you get it wrong & crash into an elderly person who didn't see\hear you and you didn't see them because they were moving slowly\weren't where you expected them to be\you were distracted?
IMO bike trailers are not safe in very urban areas as they are too close to the ground & there are many dangerous car drivers who just wont spot the trailer...the little flag on a mast is a laughable attempt to counterbalance this risk.
As a law abiding person, stick to the law. Some car drivers & cyclists don't...why join them? I'd always play is safe.

Nataleejah · 08/11/2013 13:26

YANBU, whatever the rules think, children should be on pavements.
I don't cycle. I am crap scared of seeing people falling under busses etc. Even Bradley Wiggins got himself knocked over...

SunshineSuperNova · 08/11/2013 13:30

That sounds like a good plan OP. I appreciate that it's difficult to feel safe cycling on the roads, which is part of the problem. There definitely aren't enough safe cycle paths.

We live near a main road and lots of people cycle on the path. It's a colossal pain in the arse - I've had abuse from people who think they should have the right to cycle. You sound like a very considerate person and I wish more cyclists would ask the question, not just assume they have right of way.

Zara1984 · 08/11/2013 13:30

YABU but I have sympathy!! To do the crèche drop off it would be way faster for me to cycle but I'm not comfortable with my 1 year old being on the road, on the back of my bike or in a trailer. And it's not safe for pedestrians or legal for me to cycle on footpath.

I hate driving to do the drop off and I hate having to take the bus to work but sadly have had to choose the transport method that's safest for DS/most considerate option for other road users and pedestrians

Dutch style separate bike paths are what's necessary

JackNoneReacher · 08/11/2013 13:31

If you're sensible and considerate of other pavement users and accept that pedestrians should not have to jump out of your path then its perfectly reasonable.

Of course some pavements are totally unsuitable.

But you know that.

Its not black and white is it?

Lililly · 08/11/2013 13:32

Op. I don't think that would be unreasonable, I have done it, I stop to allow pedestrians to pass and go on the road when it is clear. I also cycle on the pavement when accompanying under 10s on their own bikes as they cannot always cycle safely at that age on the rd, they are not able to judge distances or speed of cars due to their brain development, they cannot take their cycling proficiency till aged 10 either due to this.
I have spoken to the cycling officer about both scenarios and they thought this was reasonable, I also spoke to the police inspector about this for my area and he assured me that I would not be ticketed for cycling on the pavement with children.
Guidance on the ability to give fixed penalties also supports this.
If you do this though be prepared for a lot of abuse!
Actually you are probably best to get a car, pedestrians are 30x more likely to be killed whilst using the pavement by a car than a bike!

Rhianna1980 · 08/11/2013 13:34

I don't trust motorists when I cycle. The majority of people respect cyclists but many do not. A very experienced friend of mine got knocked off her bike and ended up on the car's bonnet ended up with slipped discs and fractured leg. You only need one reckless driver and you have had it. Jeremy Vine talk show on BBC2 had a debate on this topic and it turned out to be very heated controversial one. I can see both point of views. So for me I choose not cycle on roads . If I want to get some exercise and fresh air I would drive and take my bike to an off road area where bikes are permitted. Cars and bikes don't mix. I would NOT gamble my life or my kids' lives on the road.

FrenchJunebug · 08/11/2013 13:57

what about the kids that might be running around on the pavement?! speaking as a cyclist and a mum you are BVVU and selfish.

Pendeen · 08/11/2013 14:03

Carrying children in a trailer?

I would rather you were on the pavement than the road.

Beastofburden · 08/11/2013 15:04

thething is, people start out saying they would cycle really slowly etc etc.

But in practice they are going faster than they think, especially after a few months. And they go round corners and appear, boom! right in front of you. Or they go past you silently and if you suddenly move across the pavement they nearly hit you. Or they just misjudge how big they are.

Everyone says it's not them, it's the other cyclists.

But it isn't.

Mrsmorton · 08/11/2013 15:13

Also, people pull out of their drives to get to the road and don't expect a cyclist to be approaching (so much faster than a pedestrian) so I think it's more dangerous to cycle on the pavement as well as being annoying and illegal the police were giving out £50 on the spot fines in st James park in London recently Shock

Still, cyclists where they shouldn't be piss me off (I cycle everywhere btw, don't even have a car) as do those without lights.

OP festoon your trailer like Blackpool and you'll be fine.

Beastofburden · 08/11/2013 15:15

Not sure- I would say, OP, dont use your trailer on the road, they are lethal. Just walk, where there's no cycle path.

What would happen if a car went into the back of you? You do know the shunt is the most common form of road accident?

PresidentServalan · 08/11/2013 16:21

YABvU - it is dangerous to cycle on the pavement and, with a trailer you will take up a lot of space.

Doodlequackquack · 08/11/2013 16:34

To me, cycling on the road, any road, with two young children in a trailer is not an acceptable risk. There are too many idiots around, and everyone else occasionally makes errors of judgement. Helmets won't protect them and the stakes are too high.

It's also not fair to use the pavement.

You sound considerate, so really I reckon you need enjoy your gadget on proper cycle paths or walk where you have to. x