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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To cycle ON the pavement?

532 replies

Hum2 · 30/06/2018 19:43

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.

OP posts:
Mummyoflittledragon · 30/06/2018 20:28

Obviously you aren’t supposed to. Pedestrians have priority. I see nothing wrong with doing this if the pavement is deserted. You can always get off when you get close to a pedestrian or go on the road for that small section.

Original poster
Hum2 · 30/06/2018 20:29

Appreciate those who have posted who can see that it's possible to cycle on pavements and do so considerately. Additionally I would sometimes have my 3 year old cycling on her bike with stabilisers and no way would I take her on the road!

I promise I will always do my best to be considerate of other path users ☺️☺️☺️
I will see if there is any bikeability courses around here. If I can't cycle on the pavement I probably wouldn't cycle at all!

Most paths used today were wide paths and certainly not 'busy' paths.

OP posts:
TimeIhadaNameChange · 30/06/2018 20:29

In general I would say you are UR.

However, I live in the middle of nowehere. We do have pavements in some places and when I used to walk daily I'd have them to myself. So I know that, if I do cycle on the pavement, the chances of coming across someone waking are slim. The only times I do, though, are when it's dark (windy roads which drivers take far too quickly, it's bad enough in daytime), or when I'm going up a hill I know I can't get up quickly. I've recently started staying on the road for this hill, though, as I'm quicker and less likely to cause problems.

I did move over a few weeks back as there were cars behind who couldn't overtake, and whilst I know I have as much right on the road as they do I try to be helpful when I can. One of the cars was a Police car, and the occupants just cheerfully waved, so I don't think they were busy taking down my details.

But, as I say, I know this area. I wouldn't cycle on the pavement elsewhere.

SilverySurfer · 30/06/2018 20:32

Your drip feed adds nothing - get off the pavement. You say there's a cycle lane so I fail to understand why you then say Do not trust some of the cars on the road to overtake me with enough space Anyway its irrelevant, it's illegal.

MyKingdomForBrie · 30/06/2018 20:34

The fact that you feel unsafe and wobbly means you shouldn't be on the pavement, you don't sound like you're ready to be biking among pedestrians.

Bikes can and have been lethal to pedestrians and they're just not expected on pavements so you don't for example look behind you before you step sideways etc. My toddler was nearly taken out by a pavement cyclist a couple of days ago just because she's a wobbly walker and he was going round her.

It's really not safe.

Oysterbabe · 30/06/2018 20:37

You sound like a liability. Find somewhere you can practice until you are less wobbly then use a cycle path. If you can't do this then cycling isn't for you. I'd certainly give you a piece of my mind if I saw wobbling along towards my children on the path.

HeGotManFlu · 30/06/2018 20:40

It's not about being considerate to pedestrians, you are not allowed to cycle on the pavement. You have to use the cycle lane or paths.

whiteroseredrose · 30/06/2018 20:41

if I can't cycle on the pavement I probably wouldn't cycle at all

Then don't cycle at all. Walk on the pavement (which is what it is for) or drive on the road.

bonbonours · 30/06/2018 20:42

The only time I ever cycle on the pavement has been when riding with small children and to ride on the road you would be on the other side from them. But in that case I would go very slow and keep a foot close to the floor.

I have invested in teaching my kids to ride safely on the road with me from the age of about 6. You need to do the same with yourself.

NeeChee · 30/06/2018 20:43

Depends on the path. Is it busy, or narrow?
If you're courteous and don't cause a danger to anyone, I would proceed to cycle, but with extreme caution. Just remember some walkers have hearing or vision issues or could be wearing headphones. Be prepared to stop for every walker, and assume they haven't seen or heard you at all.
I don't think it's appropriate on busier pavements at all. Better to get off and push if you don't feel safe on the road.
The police probably won't be interested unless you're causing a problem, or they're feeling especially pedantic on that day :)

ThreeIsACharm · 30/06/2018 20:44

If you are going to do it anyways why ask?
It's dangerous and illegal.
I have been knocked down on the pavement trying to protect my child from a bike on the pavement

Vitalogy · 30/06/2018 20:44

If I can't cycle on the pavement I probably wouldn't cycle at all! That's a shame.

trojanpony · 30/06/2018 20:45

YABYFU
You are being totally fucking unreasonable

I am sick of people almost st mowing me down, knocking into me and sighing at me because I have the audacity to use a footpace as a footpath which means they need to use the break on their bikes

AngryAngryAngry

Use the road.

Runssometimes · 30/06/2018 20:46

Don’t please. If you have to use the pavement cause sections of the road are too busy/dangerous you should dismount. I will declare though that I do ride on the pavement when doing the school run with my six year old and have done since he was 3. We go really slowly, he’s been taught that he mustn’t overtake pedestrians unless there’s lots of room and bs extra careful around people with headphones/on phones as they won’t know we are there. I’ve been told off a few times despite being super courteous but seriously he can’t be seen on the road. On my own I’m always on the road or cycle lane. If you have a cycle lane, use it unless it’s poorly designed in which case use the road. If you are worried your Council almost definitely has free cycle training. They will teach you how to ride defensively.

Motorists will quite often overtake way too close, you’ll probably get beeped at. But you learn to ride in what’s known as the primary position so they can’t overtake too close. Motorist forget that potholes and drains can seriously wobble a bike and frequently don’t leave enough clearance so depending on the road ride further out and pull in again when it’s safe. I learnt this the hard way after being a slightly scaredy cyclist and almost got smashed against some railings by a truck. You are entitled to use the road as a cyclist. Use it safely. And don’t break red lights.

DesignStatement · 30/06/2018 20:48

My deaf parent ended up in hospital due to a skateboarder on a pavement. My friends mother, partially sighted was seriously injured by a pavement cyclist.
You need to use the road.
Seriously _ would you think it OK if cars drove on the pavement?

Runssometimes · 30/06/2018 20:51

Also to add my child and I do cycle on quieter, residential roads. He’s getting better at watching out for doors opening etc. But his speed is still not quite fast enough for busier roads, and we’d have to ride two abreast for safety so I think it’s too risky still I’m hoping in another year or so to have him on roads.

Zampa · 30/06/2018 20:52

Find a towpath or traffic free route and practise cycling. You'll become less wobbly and more confident very quickly.

Definitely take up the free training offered by your council. I learnt so much, including things like the primary position, which is invaluable.

You can then progress to quiet roads and build up from there.

Walk your daughter and the bikes to a park where she can cycle. Don't use her as an excuse.

Pavement cycling is anti social, dangerous and leads to the poor treatment of safer cyclists when they're out on the road.

Lazypuppy · 30/06/2018 20:52

Just find somewhere where the pavements are shared cycle paths. I'm used to cycling on pavements as that's what we have round where i live, all pavements are shared cycle paths, its great!

UserX · 30/06/2018 20:53

If I can't cycle on the pavement I probably wouldn't cycle at all!

So don’t cycle at all! Take a cycling safety course and cycle on quiet roads to build up confidence but please don’t give the rest of us cyclists a bad name by cycling on the pavement. There’s no way to do it considerately.

BigPinkBall · 30/06/2018 20:56

I think it depends, near me there’s a winding, narrow rural road that’s national speed limit with a pavement going between two small villages but it’s probably about a mile and a half. No one ever walks it, I’ve literally never seen a pedestrian on it so I wouldn’t care if you cycled on it and it would certainly be safer than going on the road however if you’re talking about inner city busy pavements then no, you can’t cycle on them.

NerrSnerr · 30/06/2018 20:56

I saw someone getting off a bus and nearly being taken out by a cyclist on the pavement, she wasn't going fast on her bike but it still would have hurt!

DieAntword · 30/06/2018 20:59

I think if you are going slow enough on a quiet pavement and don’t pose a risk to pedestrians and if the car drivers on the road are pretty dangerous it’s not such a big deal. I see a fair few people riding on the pavement round here both on and off marked cycle routes and I think as long as they’re courteous it’s fine. Cars are terrifying.

But get on the road when you feel up to it because you can go way faster and it’s fun. The cars don’t want to hit you because the hassle for them isn’t worth it either.

NeeChee · 30/06/2018 21:01

OP, a lot of people hate cyclists and are quick to point out that some do break the highway code. But plenty of drivers do illegal things every day, like running red lights, speeding and my pet hate, using a mobile whilst driving (even with children in the car).
I haven't cycled for a couple of years, but I used to ride to work regularly.
I drive instead now, I've had a licence for 10 years.

Happyhippy45 · 30/06/2018 21:06

I thought you could go on the pavement if it's too dangerous for you to go on the road. I don't think you'd get a ticket if you were being super considerate and not whizzing past people...unless a police officer or member of the public was having a bad day.
I use a mobility scooter that's road legal. I HATE going on the road and avoid it if at all possible. I know cars are meant to share the road but many don't know how to safely. I'd rather risk a ticket than my life.

Greeper · 30/06/2018 21:10

I cycle to work every day (as a trauma Consultant).
Mostly I cycle on the road.
I cycle on the pavement along a 100m section of road where there have been two cyclist deaths in the last decade (I tried to save one). I cycle at the speed of a snail. There is usually no foot traffic but there is plenty of vehicle traffic. If I see a pedestrian approacing, I dismount 20m ahead and walk past them, passing the time of day and apologising/explaining. I have passed a police officer in this way who said "I dont blame you love".
When the cars don't overtake me on a blind bend, and when they stop clipping me and give me adequate room for a wobble or skid, then I will stay on the road all the way. Can you all say hand on heart that you overtake cyclists considerately with the same amount of room as you would give a car? If so, thank you.
I am going to carry on.