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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To email the school about this - not sure it's their responsibilty but I am a bit peeved

29 replies

MrsPatrickDempsey · 09/09/2014 16:03

I walk a mile to school with DS. School is a village primary situated on a main road. Since the children returned on Thursday about half of the yr6 children are now cycling to school but they all cycle on the path as the road is a busy one and the cars do exceed the limit despite a flashing warning sign.

The problem is they have no regard for pedestrians and bomb along the path, usually in groups, weaving around people walking. They are obviously enjoying their independence but are being quite dangerous and I have had to step in the road three times to avoid them; as we are travelling in the same direction they come up from behind and effectively push the walkers out of the way. There are no manners - excuse me, please, sorry or thank you either.

Because it appears to be a collective thing I wonder if school should be aware and remind the class about safety and ettiquette or am I being a busy body?

OP posts:
IwishIwasmoreorganised · 09/09/2014 16:05

I think the school are in an ideal position to remind pupils who cycle what their rights are when on the pavement, and how to cycle safely.

Have they done cycling proficiency?

Original poster
MrsPatrickDempsey · 09/09/2014 16:10

Not yet. Yr 6 do it in the summer term.

OP posts:
MaudantWit · 09/09/2014 16:12

Sounds to me like the perfect topic for discussion in assembly or in the class's circle time.

WorraLiberty · 09/09/2014 16:13

They do the proficiency test here at the start of year 5

I agree, the school are in an ideal position to speak to them.

stealthsquiggle · 09/09/2014 16:14

As long as you phrase it as "I thought you should be aware" rather than "it's all your fault and I demand that you fix it NOW" then I think contacting the school is absolutely the right thing to do. If the message is delivered by school, then hopefully enough of them should absorb it to make a difference.

APlaceInTheWinter · 09/09/2014 16:19

YANBU. I'd email them for two reasons. Firstly, it can be dangerous and if the school is encouraging cycling then it should teach them how to cycle safely. Secondly, it reflects badly on the school if they are forcing pedestrians on to the road so the school would probably prefer if a parent contacted them about it rather than receiving a complaint from someone in the community iyswim.

Cardriver · 09/09/2014 16:22

I've encountered the same problem. I don't mind kids cycling on the path when the road is busy but I do think they should be aware of how to do it safely and with consideration. Even just to know that pedestrians have right of way. I think a word with school is a good idea OP.

The road we use is difficult for cyclists because there are cars parked on the path too so not much space available. It annoys me because there is a much safer, easier road just behind that one that we use so they could use that one. I actually have a bigger issue with the younger children who have obviously been taught how to ride bikes but haven't been taught how to use their brakes or how not to cycle into people Shock

PeterParkerSays · 09/09/2014 16:23

No, I would mention it to the school. It's not safe for the children, or other pedestrians, and it will reflect badly on the school if they bump into someone who can't get out of the way, such an an elderly person, who is then injured.

Scholes34 · 09/09/2014 16:54

Absolutely, you should mention it to the school, as it's a learning opportunity for the children, in much the same way as the school can remind parents not to park on zig-zag lines outside the school - the parents' parking and the children's cycling aren't the school's responsibility ultimately, but the situations arise because of the school and it's an ideal learning opportunity

whois · 09/09/2014 18:09

Def mention it to the school. They are in a great position to run a 'how not to be a twat on your bike' assembly. Obviously not actually use the word twat.

NoodleOodle · 09/09/2014 18:45

Yanbu, email them.

Jbck · 09/09/2014 18:49

Our main path to school was widened in response to so many complaints about scooters, bikes having no regard for pedestrians. There is a big white line painted down it and one side is for them, the other for pedestrians.

A few years on no one pays any heed to it and its become just as hazardous. Sad

ProudAS · 10/09/2014 18:42

If they are in Y6 they should not be riding on the pavement. It's only legal for children under 10.

Original poster
MrsPatrickDempsey · 10/09/2014 18:45

That's interesting - do you have the source of that please? I will forward it to the head teacher. I emailed yesterday and he has thanked me for doing so.

OP posts:
Frontier · 10/09/2014 19:05

What should the message the school gives them be though?

They can't tell them to cycle more carefully/considerately on the pavement because that's illegal, but would you really want them telling your yr6 child they should be cycling on a busy main road at school drop off time?

Would you want to be the HT who told them to cycle on the road when one is involved in an accident?

Flipflops7 · 10/09/2014 19:06

I believe the source is the Highway Code. Good idea to email the school, the kids are clearly copying the current wave of cyclists and it needs to be stamped on now or none of us will be able to use pavements safely.

BackforGood · 10/09/2014 19:17

Obviously difficult to make a firm judgement without knowing how wide the pavement is, etc., but I like that most people (police included) take a common sense attitude to riding on the pavement. I certainly don't think there should be a specific age cut off.

That said, I do think you should ask the school if they might have a collective chat with the Yr6s who ride bikes in to school, about behaviour / etiquette / safety / and consideration.

Original poster
MrsPatrickDempsey · 10/09/2014 19:56

That is exactly what he has said he will do and I think that sounds appropriate.

Don't think he should tell them to cycle on the road - it is good to know the facts about this though.

OP posts:
Nanny0gg · 10/09/2014 20:33

What should the message the school gives them be though?

Get off and push the bike when there are pedestrians about.

Common courtesy.

KatieKaye · 10/09/2014 20:35

It is illegal to cycle on the pavement - it's an offence under s72 of the Highways Act 1835 as amended by s85(1) of the Local Government Act 1888. There is no actual exemption for children but it's usually dealt with by a fixed penalty and these aren't given to children under 16 which is why they tend to "get away" with cycling on pavements.
As the amount of children cycling and their behaviour is dangerous I would definitely report to the school. It sounds as if there is an accident waiting to happen if they knock someone over.

ReadyToBreak · 10/09/2014 20:47

Sounds like the cycle proficiency test needs to be done a year earlier!

mum9876 · 10/09/2014 22:45

We live (quite weirdly I think) on a pavement where the pedestrians are supposed to share the footpath with cyclists. It's a long hill. So sometimes they just appear out of nowhere and bomb past you.

Every so often there is an article in the local paper about someone having their leg broken because of it.

I think you could gently ask the school to remind them that they need to give way to/slow down for pedestrians. And that small siblings are likely to dart out with no notice. It's not really something you are aware of unless you have one.

YoHoHoandabottleofWine · 10/09/2014 22:52

I am feeling concerned about Mum9876 who lives on a pavement

RedSoloCup · 10/09/2014 22:52

If they're not responsible enough to cycle on the road they shouldn't be cycling at all. I won't let me kids (9 and 7) cycle to school as I don't agree with pavement cycling at all!!

icymaiden · 10/09/2014 22:59

If they are in Y6 they should not be riding on the pavement. It's only legal for children under 10.
It is against the highway code for anybody to cycle on the pavement