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.

Sorry but YABU. You're causing a danger to pedestrians and also adding to problems for law-abiding cyclists who get abuse from drivers for being on the road.

I know it doesn't feel safe sometimes; when I cycled regularly I had a little network of quiet/wide roads where I felt safer and then when I moved to a town which didn't have those I stopped cycling. It's very much not ideal but you won't improve things for anyone by breaking the law.

Also from cycling UK website. @Camelsinthegobi I think you are BVU to do so, you don't know if there are reasons you don't know about that mean those cyclists have to be on the path.

I should add, I am using a 'sit up and beg bike', I'm not riding for speed and slow right down or go onto road when I need to pass pedestrians ☺️ I would never be abusive to another path user and I think the screenshots attached describe me as a nervous but considerate rider?

Didn't attach before!

If you can't cycle properly then just don't cycle

Yes Yabu. The pavement is for pedestrians not bikes. You need to get on the road as riding on pavement is illegal. Build your confidence up on quieter roads.

I don't have a problem with it. I appreciate a bell tinkle before passing though.

*also give a wide berth and reduce speed for those who may be deaf.

I think it’s fine for short parts of your journey, but if you aren’t confident enough to cycle on the roads at all, then maybe work on that before you take to the streets? Generally, it annoys me when cyclists use the pavement, but then, the cyclists I see on pavements tend to be a bit cunty 🤷‍♀️. If you’re courteous then maybe not a problem. And if you’re a cunt (which you clearly are not) then you don’t care if you’re a problem.

Yab a bit u. I'm an experienced cyclist, but there are a couple of accident black spots near me with rarely used pavements, so if traffic is bad I might jump off the road for 100m or so. I get off the bike or risk the road though if there are pedestrians around

You're kinda U, obviously as it's illegal, but it depends so much on the area.

Some bits where I used to live easily accommodated a careful cyclist as the path was very wide.

Where I am now (main road, v busy) and my son nearly got hit twice? Hell no.

I'm doubly annoyed as some of the twunts in this area just don't give a shit as there's a fair few mobility scooters as well and we've never had any issues with them so clearly it can be done.

Personally I would be terrified of cycling on the road and would prefer to cycle considerately on the pavement but you will risk being fine however safely you cycle.

Unfortunately pedestrians often have very narrow pavements to walk on especially if they are pushing a pram, in.a wheelchair or have a *front door which opens directly onto a pavement.

*There was a thread the other day 'to block someone in on purpose' which was about a car parked on the narriw pavement so the house owner couldn't get out of her front door.

I think that if you are cycling you should be confident and up to date with how to cycle in traffic otherwise you are a danger to yourself and other people.

YABU. I'm mobility impaired, walking with an aid. Despite this, selfish bastards riding their bikes on the pavement think it's fine to shout and swear at me because I cannot leap out of their way.

Depends if there are pedestrians on the path or not. We have endless empty pavements in our town so I cycle slowly on them. I get off and walk when I cross the town centre.
The police cycle on the same paths too.
The laws are outdated tbh. Roads are crowded are cars are bigger and faster these days. I'm mainly a walker and it drives me nuts when a cyclist crosses a large roundabout, they have no chance against a car.

It is obviously a thorny issue but I cucl myself and I can understand why you are worried about being on the road. I would suggest you take some lessons, they are offered free where I am but I know that's not the case everywhere.

As for cycling on the pavement, I think it can be done with consideration in some circumstances. Of course there are some who give others a bad name and they should be lined up and shot. Using sensible speeds, giving a warning, being observant and giving way will all go a long way to making it safe for everyone to travel.

It's not illegal to ride a bike on the pavement, but it bloody well should be.
You can't hear them behind you and you could step to the side just as one decides to overtake you.
They do it a lot round here, I shout get on the road to them, but they never do.

YA very much BU. Wobbly car drivers don't drive on the pavement nor should you. On a bike you are traffic and should abide by the highway code.

The offence of riding a bike on the pavement is an on-the-spot fine of £30.

Practice in the park not on the pavement.

I don't feel confident driving a car on the road, so I don't drive. Perhaps I should just join OP's gang and drive up the pavement instead.

I have no issue with kids on bikes cycling on pavement,to gain confidence,be safe etc
Adult, no.you need to,practice in park or pay per bike lessons.theyre a thing goggle it

My cousin has been knocked over TWICE by cyclists on the pavement. Broken elbow once, horrendous heavy bruising and twisted ankle as well.

You are being very unreasonable. As unreasonable as people who park their sodding cars on the pavement My DH runs courses to teach adults to ride/gain confidence on roads in Brum- maybe there is something similar whenre you live? He says they are very popular.

YABU. Loads of mums do cycle on the pavement alongside their unruly DC round where I live, it makes it dangerous walking with a toddler and is so inconsiderate, I’ve had children knock into my legs and all the mum does is call out a half hearted ‘oh Noah, do look where you are going’ never an apology. I also had a shopping bag containing a bottle of gin knocked out of my hand by a pavement cyclist when I was a poor student, it smashed and had cost me about a months worth of ‘fun spends’ they swerved around a bit, swore at me and kept going, so I have a particular hatred of of people who cycle on the pavements and think rules of the road don’t apply to them. Practice in the park or on quiet roads until you are confident enough to cycle on the road. But you can’t control what people in cars are doing, so I understand your hestitation, I would never cycle on a road because DP has been knocked down so many times, too dangerous imo.

i understand being nervous to ride on the road, but the solution is to build your confidence on cycle paths and do a bikeability course and THEN ride on public roads. on the road. pavements are not for bikes.

There's an uphill stretch of road near us between 2 villages. There's a pavement all along but people rarely walk on it. We do have tons of cyclists and then tons of traffic trackbacks as the cyclists struggle up the hill and there's no safe places to pass. At times like this I actually think the pavement would be a far more sensible option provided they were respectful if a person were walking.
I was never allowed to cycle on the road when I was a youngster. But I was well trained... busy high st you're off the bike and pushing. Only cycle in quiet stretches. Passing a person from before you get off and walk round. You stop if someone is coming towards you etc etc. I think provide you are respectful and sensible why. shouldn't you use pavements.

YABVU.

The only time it is acceptable to cycle on the pavement is when the pavement is a pedestrian/cycle lane hybrid