To cycle ON the pavement?

[Hum2]

Haven't ridden in years and just getting back on it. Do not trust some of the cars on the road to overtake me with enough space. I'm still wobbly on it.

AIBU to ride on the pavement? Even when there is a cycle lane on the road (which was a locked at two points today by parked cars!).

I also use the 'green man' to cross the roads rather than moving to the road and crossing like a vehicle.

I'm a part time cyclist, and cycle on the road. You just need confidence which comes with experience.

At large or busy junctions I get off and push.

My commute to work take me through a couple of parks where I share space with pedestrians. One thing I've noticed, many have headphones on so can't hear bells. You'd get the same on pavements. That's not a criticism before anyone jumps on me, I'd listen to music if I was walking too.

It’s all about you and your needs, isn’t it OP? The pavement is for pedestrians only.

@ivykaty44 I'm not in London and they do occasionally enforce here, but they are so under resourced it's very infrequent.

Yes you are if you're over about 8 years of age!

You are a pedestrian not a cyclist. YABVVVVVU.

That should say cyclist not a pedestrian! oops!

I think the only police force that enforces pavement parking seriously is West Midlands, they are as under resourced as any other force but target both pavement parking and close pass to reduce death

The pavement cyclists who post on these threads are always slow & considerate of pedestrians.

If you could start calling out the many pavement cyclists who are fast, inconsiderate & bloody dangerous whenever you encounter them, then maybe things would improve & we'd have less to worry about.

That includes the ones who cheerfully run red lights while pedestrians are crossing. They're either too thick to understand or too rude to care & I have a fair idea which.

That includes the ones who cheerfully run red lights while pedestrians are crossing. They're either too thick to understand or too rude to care & I have a fair idea which.
My child was hit at a crossing by a road cyclist running a red, never had a problem with pavement cyclists.

The pavement cyclists who post on these threads are always slow & considerate of pedestrians

Ain't that the truth - but then someone who knows they're breaking the law is hardly going to advertise themselves as being careless and inconsiderate

It's always "I take the greatest care" and "I'm always very respectful of pedestrians" ... right up until they get on the blasted bike

Motor vehicles are by far the biggest danger on the road. The more cyclists the better.

The more cyclists the better

Only if they keep off the pavements.

If your only options are cycle on the pavement or not cycle at all you should not be cycling.

You are quite capable of practicing and building up your confidence to cycle on the road.
You don’t have to cycle fast, just go slow.
The same with cycling with your DD, cycle beside her on the road with her on the pavement.

Only children are allowed to cycle on the pavement, if you can’t cycle on the road don’t cycle.

If a pavement is completely empty of anyone on 2 (and 4) legs I can't see the issue.

I occasionally ride on a pavement for about 100m as otherwise I'd have to do two very awkward right turns. However, more recently I've found a workaround which adds about a mile (5 minutes) to my ride, but I can come onto the busy main road from the other side and therefore turn left.

However, I agree drivers are the danger, not cyclists. But the Chelsea tractor drivers never want to admit that they are the problem. Those nasty cyclists without hi-vis and helmets are the problem.

My child was hit at a crossing by a road cyclist running a red, never had a problem with pavement cyclists.

But in both cases that's cyclists who are using pedestrian space, whether on the pavement or when the green man is showing at a crossing.

And a bit like when people play their phones at full blast in public, I'm never sure whether they don't understand that they're being anti-social or they do understand and just don't care.

@franciscrawford there are a few such zones in Hackney

So, basically, the safety of toddlers, pregnant women, mobility impaired, visually impaired, hearing impaired people is all less important than that of someone who chooses to cycle, but can't be arsed to learn to do it properly. Lovely.

But in both cases that's cyclists who are using pedestrian space, whether on the pavement or when the green man is showing at a crossing.
The cyclists I've personally encountered on the pavement do not ride as fast as those on the road, and they look out for, and give way to pedestrians.

OP have you silenced this thread after saying that despite everyone's advice you're gonna do it anyway ???
You sound charming

The Highway Code is very clear:

Rule 64: You MUST NOT cycle on a pavement.

www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code/rules-for-cyclists-59-to-82

I regularly drive in central London and the outrageous behaviour of the majority (yes, the majority, not a minority as they claim) is awful

I work in the City, am a pedestrian and it would appear that 90% of cyclists there are fucking colour blind because they have no idea what a red light is for. They can't cycle on the pavement due to the large number of pedestrians, fortunately.

Could you practice at quiet times till your confidence is up

The cyclists I've personally encountered on the pavement do not ride as fast as those on the road, and they look out for, and give way to pedestrians.

I think everyone is going to have had different experiences. Can we at lest agree that if people have to ride on the pavement, they should go at average walking pace, stay well clear of pedestrians & not expect people to get out of their way?

Empress that's great. Pavements are primarily for peds. From time to time it's okay for bikists to use them.
The little Hitler posters are utterly bonkers.