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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:
Baritriwsahys · 29/06/2019 17:55

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

Nobody suffered. What a ridiculous exaggeration.

Ginormoustrawberry · 29/06/2019 17:58

Cyclist was being unreasonable for riding on the pavement and I wouldn’t have moved either.

However, YABVVVVVU to report him to his company or use social media to ‘out’ him. A 2 minute snapshot is not indicative of who he really is.

(Or she, I missed the pronoun in the OP)

DontCallMeShitley · 29/06/2019 18:08

I think some people are missing the fact that there was a cycle path available for him to use, so no need to obstruct the pavement.

It is not safe to cycle on the road a lot of the time but looking at the way some cyclists behave I don't think all the accidents are caused by cars, there are some truly arrogant cyclists about these days who expect people and cars to move for them, this one sounds like one of those.

If the road isn't safe to cycle on I am not going to walk on it instead of the pavement.

LakieLady · 29/06/2019 18:11

My last two dogs were very spooked by bikes coming close, so I wouldn't have felt comfortable walking in single file to let the cyclist pass unless the pavement was very wide.

I'd want at least a clear metre between me and the cyclist.

AnthonyCrowley · 29/06/2019 18:16

You've got no proof about the swearing and his employer won't care about him cycling in the pavement so it will be a bit of a waste of your time. Report to the police if you like but I also suspect they're unlikely to bother following it up and probably have better things to do.

WiltedDaffs · 29/06/2019 18:17

In my town there’s a few roads which have cycle path on one side but not the other. However you can’t actually get to the cycle path side because the road’s too busy to cross. Used to annoy me when getting DS1 from nursery and someone would be cycling on the wrong bit of path. Now I cycle, I understand they can’t get to the right side but still think they shouldn’t cycle on that particular bit of path because it’s too narrow. Basically cycling infrastructure is crap, someone stuck some blue signs up in some places and a bit of white paint in others to tick some boxes but didn’t join anything up and make it properly useable.

If a cyclist does end up on the path, I’ve no problem if they’re cycling slowly and especially if the path is empty. I cycle to work and have at times had to bail out of the road and go onto a non-shared path or some parts of my route the shared path suddenly ends with no safe point to join the road! If the path is busy or narrow, then time to get off and walk for a bit.

Wouldn’t report someone to their workplace for cycling a bit shit though.

RiddleyW · 29/06/2019 18:22

I hate cyclists on the pavement - it’s a real problem where I am and I’ve had some bear misses.

However I’m pretty confused as to what you think their employer would do. I’d be completely bemused if someone reported someone who worked for me, to me. I wouldn’t even tell the employee it has happened I think.

John470322 · 29/06/2019 18:31

I cycle on the road. It is safe. Well I feel safe on the road in Glasgow and in London. I gate seeing people cycling on pavements.

SciFiScream · 29/06/2019 18:37

Pavement isn't a good term to use (even though it's in the Highway Code!)

What's the legal definition of a pavement?

I think legislation talks about footways, foot paths and core paths.

IIRC if there was a grass verge between the "pavement" and the road I think it's actually ok to cycle on. I'll see if I can find out more.

Far2go46 · 29/06/2019 18:59

Dogs shouldn't be on the pavement, filthy animals

catndogslife · 29/06/2019 19:29

A cyclist did this to me when I was out walking my dog. Cyclist parked his bike outside a house and went inside. My dog peed against his bike!
PS I am a cyclist and give dogs a wide berth.

catndogslife · 29/06/2019 19:30

That's one cycle paths that are shared spaces BTW. Otherwise am on the road.

AlphaBites · 29/06/2019 19:35

I've taught my dc to ride on the pavement whilst I cycle on the roads, with the idea being when they get older and more confident with road rules they'll cycle on the road as I do.
However before I got flamed, she has it explained that the pavement is for walkers and if anyone is ahead she is either to pull over or come off as the next driveway pass them then get back on at the next dropped kerb. This works well and she's gaining in confidence a lot.
He is a twat, but I wouldn't report him as nothing will come of it.

Yabbers · 29/06/2019 21:10

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.

And for all he knows, the OP has had a shit day. Having a shit day doesn’t mean you get to break the law and be rude to people who pull you up for it.

I would tell the company. They need to know that someone advertising their company is acting in this way.

probstimeforanewname · 29/06/2019 21:16

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

I agree they shouldn't be on the pavement by law, but in reality, it's too dangerous on the roads and then dog walkers moan that they are on the paths. Is there anywhere that cyclists can actually be?

Personally I think dogs are more dangerous for cyclists than the other way round.

And if you are walking with someone else and someone comes towards you, whether on foot or wheels (and remember they take up less room on top of their bike than they do alongside it) you should go single file (as should they, if there is more than one of them).

And I agree that videoing would have been ridiculous. And don't report them, life is really too short. Nobody is perfect - move on. Don't you ever make a mistake?

Brefugee · 29/06/2019 21:16

you couldn't have gone single file and all gone about your day?
and you're worried that he got angry when you photographed him

You're all unreasonable.

probstimeforanewname · 29/06/2019 21:16

I would tell the company. They need to know that someone advertising their company is acting in this way

No, they really don't.

starzig · 29/06/2019 21:18

Having to move onto the road for people's dogs hogging the pavement is a bigger issue for me.

Howlovely · 29/06/2019 21:42

@probstimeforanewname - how about the cyclist used the designated cycle lane opposite instead of riding illegally on the pavement?
The sense of entitlement some cyclists feel really does beggar belief. They want right of way over cars on the roads. They want right of way over pedestrians on pavements and shared paths. They use pelican crossings as though they are pedestrians but they are vehicles when it suits them. They really want it all ways and can't ever believe or accept they are in the wrong!
So cars/vehicles are a danger to cyclists. Pedestrians are a danger to cyclists. People walking their dogs perfectly legally on a path are a danger to cyclists. Designated cycle lanes are a danger to cyclists! What's the common denominator here...? Cyclists!

Original poster
Ineedanicepop · 29/06/2019 21:49

Good mix of views. Thanks everyone.

I love how everyone has assumed it was a man, it was actually a woman.

Its DH who was wanting me to report her as it has been drilled into him from school and from work places that when you are in uniform you are the face of the school/company and what you do/say reflects on them, and he felt that the company should know how she acts whilst in uniform.
Anyway I shall tell him it would be unreasonable to report her.

Oh I'm not the slightest bit bothered about children cycling on the pavement (unless there's a cycle path Wink )

OP posts:
OtherThings · 29/06/2019 21:49

You're both unreasonable.

A little consideration goes a long way.

Darkcloudsandsunnydays · 29/06/2019 21:52

Where you went wrong was not having the correct dog lead. These are normally blue and half a mile long.

MorganKitten · 29/06/2019 22:04

I’ve had this happen to me, but he hit I to me on purpose, I won’t move if you are illegally cycling on the pavement, the next week he would follow me along that route (only one to work) so I called the office he came out of and the police. He was fined as he was in the wrong.

SunniDay · 29/06/2019 22:04

Some pavement cyclists are anti social and speed past pedestrians. Some dog owners are anti social and leave dog shit everywhere. I'd rather share my pavement with cyclists than dog shit. I haven't had to clean up after any cyclists as I walk down my street.