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.

Given you have a dangerous latter part of urban journey,it’s ok
But as a rule I’d say no unless it’s dangerous

Yes. YABU. Next stupid question?

Pavement is actually an unhelpful term. Do you mean footway, footpath, core path? Many spaces are shared spaces. In Scotland it is illegal to cycle on the pavement (re-read my first line!) and in Edinburgh fines are handed out. Police Officers will take a common sense approach to children cycling on pavements (again - see my first line!). The pavement outside my kids school is actually a national cycle network path. So I can cycle on that. I teach Bikeability and I take 10, 11 and 12 year olds out on the road. There are loads of Bikeability videos on YouTube. Why don't you watch them and then practise the skills in a quiet car park or playground at the weekend? You need to practice COPS: control, observation, positioning and signalling. Look up what primary and secondary position mean (how you place yourself on the road). Learn safe mounting and dismounting of the bike, learn about stopping and emergency stop. The videos really are great. Ultimately you need to build up your confidence to cycle on the road. This helps everyone. It saves the space for pedestrians and helps claim some road for cyclists. Why don't you see if there's a local Belles on Bikes group and join Cycling UK too. You'll have third party insurance bundled into your membership. The more you cycle, the better you will feel. Please do minimise your use of pavements (ha! What are they actually though?)

I was once asked the thought experiment- if for one day you could commit any crime, you would not be arrested, nobody would be hurt and at the end of the day, it would all rewind as though it had never happened, what would you do?

My answer was instant. I would go about my business on my local high street, and instead of politely calling out 'It's against the law to cycle on the pavement', I would reach out sideways with my palm to make contact with the shoulder of every single adult cyclist ILLEGALLY riding on the pavement, and give a bloomin' good shove.

Oh yes, also, YABU. HTH.

I don't know why you bothered posting OP as you are obviously set on breaking the law and being fucking selfish.

www.cyclinguk.org/article/campaigns-guide/cycling-on-footpath-trespass

This article talks about the distinction between footway and footpath.

A friend was pushing her pram when a cyclist went to overtake her on the pavement, wobbled and fell towards the pram with the handlebars missing we baby’s face by inches.

You may have all the best intentions in the world but it can be dangerous and people can get hurt.

I do it when out with dd (7) and she is on the path as to ride on the road would mean cycling away from her (e.g. roundabouts)

Move to Cambridge. The pavements are full of cyclists here. You take your life in your hands by going for a walk.

Where I live there are lots of shared use paths. Unfortunately some groups of pedestrians walk across the whole length but even when they don't, there are old people and young children you need to go very very slowly to avoid. In fact you need better bike control skills to do that then cycling on the road.

Anyway if you are scared of going on the road I've found wearing lots of pink and/or a skirt makes more drivers give you room while using proper road position.

If you feel unsafe on the road yes please use the pavement. It doesn't bother me at all.

Another parent of a deaf child here, who cannot hear bikes coming up behind her. YABVU, please do not do this. It is illegal, selfish and unsafe.

Please don't.

I was knocked flying last year by a cyclist on the pavement.

He must have been going at some speed as, as I turned to cross the road, he slammed into my shoulder, knocked my over and I skidded several feet along the pavement.

He claimed a car had made him swerve but a young woman who came to help me up said he'd been on the pavement the whole time.

I had cuts and bruises but it could have killed an elderly person or child.

If you cycle with consideration for pedestrians then yes

Oh my... I walk to work every day and spend 70% of my commute having to get off the pavement and into the road due to cyclists of all ages on the pavement. Some are little tots that I appreciate cannot go on the road but can be taught courtesy to slow down or dismount for pedestrians, many are teens or adults with headphones on who own the pavement, it is only a matter of time before I refuse to jump into the road to give way and they end up in a hedge. Don’t get me started on the three abreast pushchairs who refuse to go single file for anyone. Grr

A lot of people cycle on the pavements locally & there have been far too many times when I've stepped sideways, or turned to go into a shop / cross the road & nearly been hit by some pest whizzing along silently.

I think if you have to ride on the pavement then you should be going at walking speed and be confident that you can cope if you suddenly have to avoid someone.

I was looking at pavement cyclists today, come to think of it, & wondering that they didn't look more embarrassed to be riding on the pavement like kids who hadnt finished their Bikeability, instead of on the road like adults.

YANBU and that is the same position the police take as you've found, provided you're being sensible (yielding to pedestrians at all times and cycling slowly).

But yes: it would be a good idea to either find another more experienced cyclist to go for a spin with on some quieter roads to increase your confidence, and to see if cycling training is offered for free (it is here).

Still, no amount of training will make me cycle on some roads.

It's also worth remembering that not all roads are the same so a lot of the YABU responses above assume streets like they regularly use, where it may well be unreasonable because of high numbers of people walking, where the pavement you're thinking of never has any.

@BlueBug45 studies have suggested that drivers give cyclists a wider berth if they perceive them to be more vulnerable, like not wearing a helmet, or appearing female.
OP, if you do decide to cycle in the road, don't ride in the gutter. Maintain a good distance from the kerb in case you do wobble. It also means you have somewhere to go if a driver does overtake too close. Don't feel like you have to ride close to the kerb. You're entitled as a road vehicle to take the middle of the lane if you so desire, but most cyclists ride to the left out of courtesy to let faster moving vehicles progress.
Some research into defensive cycling would be beneficial to you.

There are some places I ride on the path. Namely 60/70 mph roads where I've never seen a pedestrian ever (but would go on the road if there was) because nobody is using it and it's safer for me. Around town on actually used paths I'd always stay on the road. I often cross roads at a pedestrian crossing.

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

No good for hard of hearing.

If it's a quiet pavement and you give way to pedestrians, I don't see why you shouldn't. It's illegal but you are unlikely to get fined.

People who Park on pavements and those who let their dogs shit on them are far more of a problem.

Should I drive on the pavement as I have not driven for years? If you hit my child I would probably hit you back.

Take a course on cycling proficiency and stay off the fucking pavement.
Hurt my child/niece/nephew/dog by cycling on the pavement and I will hurt you a whole lot more.

A dog shit is not more dangerous than a bike to a 4 year old (unless he rubs it in his face which my son would not do). Bloody ridiculous.