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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU re cyclist on pavement/cyclist going wrong way down one-way lane?

230 replies

blueberryporridge · 02/08/2014 00:02

Just wondering, genuinely, if IWBU (I know I was a bit assertive) and also WWYD next?

Background (sorry, a bit lengthy): we live on a short stretch of narrow lane off a busy main road. The lane is one-way due to its width, and the direction of the one-way is because drivers coming off the main road are faced with a blind corner so, if anyone is on the road coming in the wrong direction, a car turning into the lane would be at great risk of colliding with him/her. Despite this, cyclists regularly cycle at speed the wrong way up the lane to join the main road. I always slow right down when turning into the lane in the car as I know there is a good chance there will be a cyclist (or a few of them) coming up the wrong way. There is a narrow pavement on one side of the lane (which is on our house's side of the lane and passes in front of our driveway).

Anyway, today, driving home at teatime rush, I was just about to turn into our driveway when I saw a cyclist heading up the lane in the wrong direction and just coming up to our drive. I normally stop to let any pedestrians past before I turn into our drive, but I must admit I was slightly fed-up by yet another cyclist heading in the wrong direction, and turned the car into the driveway making him stop. I also (and wouldn't normally do this but was feeling a bit exasperated after a hard week at work) rolled down my window and said "it's one-way". I noticed in passing at that point that the cyclist was actually on the pavement rather than on the road itself.

Cyclist proceeded to continue up the lane against the one-way flow, then turned round to come back and shout at me that he had been cycling on the pavement, not the road, and therefore it didn't matter what direction he had been heading in. I said that I felt it was inconsiderate and potentially dangerous to be cycling on the pavement, thinking of small DC or elderly mother possibly stepping out of our driveway unable to see cyclist about to whizz past our gate, and being knocked over. (Due to neighbour's mature trees, shrubs etc, visibility when coming out of our driveway (in the car or on foot) is not great.)

I also said that he shouldn't be cycling up the lane in the wrong direction due to the danger of the junction, and that approaching it on the narrow pavement wasn't any safer for him and made it more hazardous for pedestrians coming round the corner on the pavement.

He then told me that I didn't know anything about cycling. I explained that I do cycle quite a bit (well, I used to in my younger days) at which point he looked me up and down and said "I doubt it". (Obviously doesn't think I'd look good in black lycra, which is, unfortunately, correct....) He then went on to say that there was absolutely nothing in the Highway Code to say that cyclists couldn't cycle on pavements, and that he would be continuing to do this when he cycles home up our lane (in the wrong direction) every evening.

Well, I've checked up my Highway Code since and see, as I thought, that it states quite categorically that cyclists must not cycle on pavements. (It also contravenes a certain paragraph of the Road Traffic Act whose reference details I can't remember just now.)

So (1) WasIBU to tell him he shouldn't be cycling the wrong way up a narrow one-way lane with a blind junction and (2) that he shouldn't be cycling on the pavement?

And (3) Would IBU to print out a copy of the relevant Highway Code and legal paragraphs and hand them to him the next time he whizzes along the pavement in front of our house?

Or is it none of my business (unless, of course, I end up knocking the down or being knocked down by him as I come out my gate on foot one evening?

OP posts:
GalaxyInMyPants · 02/08/2014 00:05

Yanbu, and I say that as a keen cyclist.

ChelsyHandy · 02/08/2014 00:43

If there are so many cyclists, why is there no cycling provision to save them from the self righteous? I assume at least some of this multitude of cyclists are doing something useful, such as cycling to their jobs, and thus contributing to general taxation.

Nicola19 · 02/08/2014 00:47

You were totally right, I have similar, daily urges to point this out and most of the time I suppress them but sometimes I feel extra assertive! I hate the cycling on the pavement thing. I usually end with, 'I see you're wearing a helmet! No such protection for us pedestrians as we are not expecting to meet a cyclist in our path!'

Nicola19 · 02/08/2014 00:49

I love a bit of self- righteous! It's my favourite feeling.

PickleMyster · 02/08/2014 07:24

I think I read in the Highway Code that it's illegal to cycle on the pavement if you are over the age of 10yrs (might be wrong). Children under the age of 10 should be supervised appropriately.

Could you contact the police and council about people cycling on the pavement and against the traffic? Ti sound bloody dangerous. Keep complaining until they take notice.

YANBU - some (not all) cyclists are a law unto themselves and just plain stupid.

Flipflops7 · 02/08/2014 08:39

You were being reasonable. I will actually harm a cyclist on the pavement one day.

I see cyclists on the pavement and the main road ALONGSIDE a purpose-built cycle path near where I live; so much for their whingeing.

Don't start me on red lights, one-way streets... Their arrogance is endless.

JenniferJo · 02/08/2014 08:44

YWNBU. He was a dickhead. Give him the rules and take a photo of him to report him to the police.

MargotLovedTom · 02/08/2014 08:44

I would knock the cheeky fucker over next time you see him.

Ok, of course I wouldn't but you were NBU at all.

Stampysladygarden · 02/08/2014 08:50

I live in Bristol and there isn't an inch of pavement that is not being cycled on. I really wish more was done to stop pavement cycling because the number of times we've nearly been hit by cyclists bombing down hills is ridiculous.

So YANBU.

wowfudge · 02/08/2014 09:06

YADNBU OP - he sounds like an arrogant idiot. The same rules apply to drivers and cyclists: you don't drive or cycle the wrong way down a one way street or on the pavement. Hand him a photocopy of the relevant page of the Highway Code next time you see him Wink.

Chelsy - since when does the contribution to taxation excuse arsehole behaviour? And calling the OP self righteous isn't on either.

OP it might be a good idea to let the local council know this is an ongoing issue. What does it take before idiot cyclists obey the rules of the road instead of believing themselves to be above it?

Cantbelievethisishappening · 02/08/2014 09:07

I have had some terrible run ins with arrogant, entitled cyclists so YANBU. Where I live so many do as they please regardless of other road users or pedestrians. I had one threaten to 'punch my lights out' because I beeped my horn when he pulled out without any signal to overtake another cyclist and I nearly hit him. I very nearly called the police. Some of them really are a f*ing pain in the arse.

MrsItsNoworNotatAll · 02/08/2014 09:39

Hmmm I'm a cyclist and cycle part of the way on the pavement mostly because I'm scared of cycling on the very busy roundabout. I've had a few bad experiences in it with ignorant drivers cutting me up, not seeing me at all or driving so close to me I could almost touch their car. It feels safer cycling on the pavement and I always slow down when I'm passing pedestrians.

I would never cycle the wrong direction down a one way street but I would cycle on the pavement of it if there were one. After all, people would walk on it so why shouldn't I cycle?

I sometimes feel cyclists can't win. I've been told I shouldn't be on the road/shouldn't be on the pavement. Well where the hell should I cycle then?

Where there is cycle paths on the road I always use them but if there isn't and I don't feel safe I'll use the pavement.

FraidyCat · 02/08/2014 09:47

I'm not a cyclist, and I do generally believe in obeying the law, however I think where it is safer to do so cyclists should be allowed to cycle slowly on the pavement. If slow enough there shouldn't be a conflict with pedestrians.

So I think he was being unreasonable doing what he did if he was going fast, but not if he was going slowly.

FraidyCat · 02/08/2014 09:49

Just to clarify further, I believe him being allowed to cycle slowly on the pavement would be better than going the wrong way on the road, or being force to take some much longer route that didn't involve travelling the wrong way down a one-way road.

soulrebel63 · 02/08/2014 09:55

On my way to work I cycle on the pavement for approximately 50m to avoid cycling on a very busy, dangerous main road. The rest of my journey is cycle lanes, in which I continually have to cycle around pedestrians choosing to walk in the cycle lane. For some reason they don't want to walk on their side of the pavement next to the cycle lane. As soon as pedestrians stop walking in cycle lanes, I will be happy to walk my bike on the pavement. Until then, it seems to be a free for all.

specialmagiclady · 02/08/2014 09:57

I am a cyclist, driver and pedestrian.

There are occasions where it is safer/quicker to use a pavement, but then you get off and push.

If you are going the wrong way down a one way street (which you shouldn't in the first place but let's be honest it does sometimes happen if you are on unfamiliar territory) then it is beholden on you as a cyclist to take extra care. Take out earphones, slow right down, be ready to stop and get off and walk for oncoming traffic.

I am all too aware of how vulnerable cyclists are and it amazes me how recklessly some of them/us ride.

It's a massive problem with road usage culture in this country that we don't automatically look out for more vulnerable road users. It's all about "my journey is more important than yours".

If everyone just took more care to look out for the road users who are less well protected (was going to say slower but downhill with a following wind I am pretty fast on my bike) we would get a lot less frustrated.

KnackeredMuchly · 02/08/2014 10:01

He was unreasonable because he was wrong FraidyCay. I would like to think if you caused an issue, amd someone rightly pointed out you shouldnt be cycling in the pavement you'd have the grace to say "I'm sorry it's just that roundabout is particularly dangerous for me amd although I'm on the pavement I'm being slow and considerate"

redshifter · 02/08/2014 10:12

I would cycle on the pavement of it if there were one. After all, people would walk on it so why shouldn't I cycle?

Err, because it is against the law maybe?

On my way to work I cycle on the pavement for approximately 50m to avoid cycling on a very busy, dangerous main road

But why not get off your bike and walk with it? After all it is only 50m. I don't get it. Is it just laziness?

FatherDickByrne · 02/08/2014 10:13

In Asia, where I've been living, cyclists ride on the pavements and the wrong way down one-way streets as a matter of course. I hate the way they casually ring their bells when they're about 2 feet behind you - having approached silently - and expect you to jump out of the way. I'm back in the UK now and, for me, if the Highway Code says cycling on pavements is not allowed (for over 10-year-olds), then it's not allowed. TBH, I thought this was common knowledge. I think cyclists take their lives in their hands every time they ride on the road and I'm always v careful around them when I'm driving but, to me, it's a no-brainer - the pavement is for perambulation only. YANBU.

soulrebel63 · 02/08/2014 10:22

redshifter I explained why I cycle on the pavement for 50m in my post?

Flipflops7 · 02/08/2014 10:57

Cyclists, if you're scared of the road, walk your bike along the pavement the same as people have done since the invention of the bicycle up to the last five years. Thank you.

PresidentSpreadable · 02/08/2014 11:06

YANBU, and I am a cyclist (and a driver, and a pedestrian for that matter).

However, for the benefit of pp who like to make sweeping generalisations about cyclists, I'd like to point out that some people just happen to be arseholes no matter what their mode of transport.

Please bear in mind that just as many drivers run red lights, use their mobile phones whilst driving, and break the Highway Code, and that they are far more likely to cause death or serious injury to others whilst doing so.

wowfudge · 02/08/2014 11:10

Specialmagiclady - glad to hear at least one cyclist gets off the bike when using the pavement. I have far more respect for that than the person who says parts of their road journey are so dangerous for them that think it is fine to endanger pedestrians by riding on the pavement!

Undertaking cyclists in queuing traffic drive me bonkers too and they put themselves in so much danger with lorries and other large vehicles who cannot see them.

Nanny0gg · 02/08/2014 11:18

redshifter I explained why I cycle on the pavement for 50m in my post

Because you can't be bothered to push your bike?

Whatever your 'justification' it's still illegal.

PhaedraIsMyName · 02/08/2014 11:26

Hmmm I'm a cyclist and cycle part of the way on the pavement mostly because I'm scared of cycling on the very busy roundabout

Then get off it, push it and become a pedestrian for that section.

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