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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Cyclist on pavement

66 replies

Ineedanicepop · 29/06/2019 16:50

Dh and I were out walking the dogs this morning. Both dogs were on a short leash. I was closest to the walls and fences of peoples gardens and DH was next to me then there was a grass verge which was as wide as the pavement.

We could see a cyclist on the pavement approaching us, neither of us moved thinking that the cyclist would go onto the grass and around us.

But no the cyclist deliberately rode straight at me expecting me to move out of the way. We then ended up face to face. Both DH and I spoke at the same time, me saying you should be riding on the road not the pavement and DH pointing out the cycle path on the other side of the road.

The cyclist just pulled a so what face and made it obvious they were not going to move out of the way. I noticed the cyclist was wearing a works tshirt of a local care company so I lifted my phone (only had it because I've been playing the new Harry Potter game, yes I'm a nerd Grin ) and went to take their picture.

They then went around us saying Fuck off

Now my question is AIBU to report them to their company? Normally I wouldn't bother but this person is a carer and is in and out of vulnerable peoples homes. If they were like that with me and my DH out on a public street what are they like behind the closed doors of people they are supposed to look after.

OP posts:
PettyContractor · 29/06/2019 17:01

I think it would have made more sense for the cyclist to pass on the pavement. Walkers can cope with uneven ground much more easily than cyclists. Also, cycling on on grass is harder work.

Prettyhatemachine · 29/06/2019 17:03

If they are a care worker it could be they had the worst day with someone very poorly they might regret their behaviour now but you could have moved for them.

BeyondMyWits · 29/06/2019 17:11

They should not be cycling on the pavement - especially seeing 2 dogs being walked - dogs spook easily and could just jump to the side - into the cyclist's path - even on a short leash.

Taking the dog for a walk nowadays scares me half to death with everybody using the pavement for cycling, scooting, running, electric show-off wheely things, parking, god knows what...

Hecateh · 29/06/2019 17:11

I would

babysharkah · 29/06/2019 17:12

Isn't against the Highway Code to cycle on the pavement if you're not a kid?

Surfskatefamily · 29/06/2019 17:13

Cyclist was being unreasonable...but I'd just try to shake off the annoyance and get on with your day. Dwelling on it will only stress you out

Hecateh · 29/06/2019 17:13

Adult cycling on pavement when there is a cycle track available and people are defending him and saying the people using the pavement correctly should move. I cannot understand some people.

LarryTheLurker · 29/06/2019 17:14

I would have done the same as you. There was no reason for you to get out of his way. The cyclist should have been on the road.

Rule 64 of the Highway Code says 'You MUST NOT cycle on a pavement' and gives as the statutory basis for this the Highway Act 1835, old but still in force.

It's a pity more cyclists don't seem to realise this.

Hecateh · 29/06/2019 17:16

Care company can't do much unless he was working at the time.

Police - guess it's a bit petty
Social Media - mmhhh???

HUZZAH212 · 29/06/2019 17:19

What outcome are you hoping for? That they'll get sacked or disciplined? You didn't move either, both yourself & DH had given him a reprimand, and then you went to photo him. Yes, he probably shouldn't have told you to fuck off, but it sounds like you wound him up too.

teyem · 29/06/2019 17:19

Ffs. Either have the courage of your convictions and report to the non emergency police number or drop the issue. What is with people running to people's employers to get them in trouble? It's so gutless.

Pipandmum · 29/06/2019 17:19

My teen son occasionally rides his bmx (they are small you don’t sit on them) where it’s busy and no cycle track and so uses the pavement but he says he always stops and gets out of the way if there are pedestrians coming as he knows he should really be on the road.
I don’t care how hard a day that guy may have had. He should be on a cycle path but if for whatever reason he was on the pavement he should have stopped or moved out of the way and said ‘excuse me’.

purpleme12 · 29/06/2019 17:21

Um yes he shouldn't have been riding on the pavement but I think it's a bit much to report him to his place of work about cycling home! I really can't imagine his place of work would be bothered about this kind of thing!

londonrach · 29/06/2019 17:25

Its legally to cycle on pavement and cyclist risks on the spot fines. Report them.

Zampa · 29/06/2019 17:26

No he shouldn't have been riding on the pavement but what harm was actually done? I'd understand your attitude a bit better if the cyclist had barged through you, assaulted you, pushed you into the road etc.

As it was, you and your DH could have walked in single file, the cyclist could have passed you and everyone could have gone about their day.

The road network isn't fit for purpose for cyclists and I have every sympathy for individuals not wanting to take their life in their hands when they get on a bike.

AskingQuestionsAllTheTime · 29/06/2019 17:29

People get sent to prison for "wanton and furious driving" even if it is on a bicycle. Riding the thing in a place where you are not supposed to by law is probably wanton, even if it only gets furious if you lose your temper and start telling people to fuck off...

If there is a cycle track on the other side of the road there is absolutely no excuse for riding a cycle on the pavement.

EL8888 · 29/06/2019 17:31

He should not have been riding on the pavement anyway. Never mind having a confrontation with you or swearing. If it was my company l wouldn’t be thrilled by an employee doing that kind of thing, while representing my company with a work t-shirt on. I think fair enough contacting his work about his conduct

Baritriwsahys · 29/06/2019 17:38

I would have moved so I was in single file with my DH and allowed the bike to pass. I'm not a 'shouldn't be there anyway' type of person. It makes no odds to my day to step to the side.

stucknoue · 29/06/2019 17:40

Depends where you are and whether if you went one behind the other the cyclist could pass. Here cycling on the pavement is legal and officially you are meant to keep left so people can pass. Sounds like you were being a bit unreasonable

NoSauce · 29/06/2019 17:41

It’s a bit “running to the headmaster telling tales” imo, he was in the wrong for sure but this thing of everything being videoed and put on SM or went to whoever is getting ridiculous. Just leave it OP.

dottypotter · 29/06/2019 17:43

It's illegal to ride on the path and instead of saying sorry people just get abusive. I would deffo report him. Teach him a lesson.

lljkk · 29/06/2019 17:46

cycle path on the other side of the road.

I hate cycle paths on wrong side of the road. Such a royal pain to access. It's like they have been built to maximise inconvenience. Probably gives way every 200 yards (typically to petrol stations chock full of gas guzzlers).

dottypotter · 29/06/2019 17:52

Can I just say to the poster who says roads are too dangerous to cycle that is not the fault of the pedestrian why should they suffer. Its its not safe to ride on the road then walk.

teyem · 29/06/2019 17:53

Suffering Hmm

Baritriwsahys · 29/06/2019 17:54

I think reporting him would be ridiculous. You can't judge how he does his job on the fact he told you to fuck off when you were about to take his photo.

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