To think cyclists should ride on the road, not on the pavement?

[AgeLikeWine]

Every day, I go walking along our local country roads, which are very popular with cyclists, and every day I am forced to walk on the road or in the weeds to maintain social distancing from cyclists who are riding on the pavement.

I’m not criticising proper cyclists; the Lycra brigade invariably ride on the road. I’m referring to families, couples and teenagers out for a bike ride who think they are entitled to use the pavements and force pedestrians to choose between getting run over by them or take the risk of stepping onto the road. Why don’t they ride where they are supposed to ride?

YABU = Cyclists should ride on the pavement and force pedestrians to get out of their way.

YANBU = All cyclists should ride on the road.

My seven year old cycles on the road. Part of learning to cycle is learning road safety imo so as soon as the stabilisers came off he was on the road - quiet to medium roads of course, we avoid very busy roads unless there is a proper cycle path. I follow close behind him to supervise and shout instructions, on quiet roads I encourage him to approach and navigate the junction with me watching so he can learn; on medium/slightly busy roads I over take him a little way before the junction/roundabout and he follows my line - I am of course extra careful to ensure that we cycle into gaps big enough for both of us. "It's safer for children to cycle on the pavement" is no doubt true but only for the cycling child - it's not safer for all the pedestrian children! If we end up at a junction/road where we aren't confident that he will cope in the road then we pull over, dismount and push until we reach an easier place.

'I think it's safer for cyclists who aren't confident on the road to stay on the pavement'

Yes, but safer for who exactly? It sure isnt pedestrians! The number of times I have nearly been run over by cyclists, and I'm not small or frail or vulnerable in any way. And cyclists never ever give way to pedestrians in my experience

Pavement cycling is annoying for sure .....
However, about the only bright spot in the last few weeks of lockdown has been clearer air, safer roads and more cyclists using them. I hope everyone doesn't just automatically get back in their cars again post COVID-19 and has a think about a healthier, cleaner and just as fast alternative for many journeys for many people

As a lifelong cyclist, these cyclists of yours are utter twats.

Certainly where I live I wouldn’t want to cycle on the roads - far too dangerous and often drivers have no respect for cyclists.

But it's not that hard to be aware of your surroundings and move out of their way... Or does that only apply to pedestrians keeping out of the way of cyclists?

YANBU I'm sick of them.

Adults and children over a certain age should. My DC are 7 and 9 and ride on the road now (with DH in front and me shitting myself behind them)

As usual though, it's the twattish minority who cause problems. Most cyclists do use the road or are considerate.

Pedestrians have right of way on a pavement and that is the end of it really. Most pavements are not designated as shared use (I've never seen one outside of a park/woodland/recreational space apart from a few areas at a junction).

The shared paths say share with care, which means slow down. But cyclists ignore this and whizz past. Same goes on towpaths. Some people have no manners.

What @MrsAvocet took time to explain on P1, and then others have added to.

This is about someone not being considerate and not being aware, rathe than cycling on the pavement, per se.
At the moment, a LOT of non-cyclists have bought a bike or have dusted off a bike that's been in the shed, an they don't have the confidence or skill to ride safely on the road yet.
I have no issue with those folks being on the pavement, as long as they stop (on a narrow pavement) or slowly pass on the other side of a wider pavement.
Like most things in life, there is no single rule that is universally best in all circumstances. This is about awareness and consideration.

They are call footpaths for a reason.

Well according to Rod Liddle in the Sunday Times Thurmanmurman families doing exactly what you describe are worthy of being dealt with by stretching piano at neck height across the road.
Bascically whatever cyclists do there are going to be some people who complain.

They shouldn't be on busy pavements.

I take longer routes around town and cycle on virtually empty paths, ideally through parks. Slowly with a bell, getting off at blind corners and walking around people if they have their back to me. In normal times our town appears to be allergic to using their legs anyway 🙄.
I would never cycle on the roads, it's way too dangerous. I usually walk tbh, can't be arsed to drive that often.

Piano wire.
Whole pianos would obviously be too visible and defeat the object. Coukd cause a nasty head injury to non helmet wearers though.

That isn't at all funny, @mrsavocet

Some idiot has actually been doing that (Similar) on a cycle track recently.

I can now see that is what you are referring to though! Sorry

I think it's interesting that people who think it's OK for families to ride on the pavement "because it's safer for the children" give zero fucks for other people's children, and elderly or disabled people, whose safety is endangered by children cycling on pavements.

It's the same as buying a massive 4 wheel drive (unless you live on a farm) - it keeps your children safe, but statistically, big 4 wheel drives in urban driving harm can really harm more children than they keep safe.

It's just selfishness & I'm all right, Jack attitudes.

No, I don't think it is funny SoupDragon
I was calling out my own typo before anyone else decided to.
But the point is that the PP who things they are doing the right thing my riding en famille on the road is probably just as likely to be pissing someone off as those who are on the pavement. There is no solution that makes everyone happy. A bit of tolerance all round is what is required.

They don’t give a shit. They are on the pavement when they are not supposed to be. They ride 2-4 abreast on the road when they are not supposed to. They run through red lights. They cycle the other way up one way streets.

They are extremely fucking irritating. They neither want to accept responsibility for their own safety, not accept that they have a duty of care for pedestrians.

Yesterday I saw someone cycling in the middle of the road with a child barely older than toddler behind them (on their own bike), round a blind bend etc. It’s so so so so so dangerous.

As someone who doesn’t move for cyclists on the pavement I know they can be fined - for being on the pavement and for hitting you.
I have had grown men scream in my face because I wouldn’t move I to the road to avoid them, a women cycle into me from behind after screaming I need to bloody move out the way, a group of teenagers say just cycle into her she’ll move, with the group of kids I work with I’ve had so many cyclists demand I move 24 children out of the way. Crossing at traffic lights cyclists have jumped red lights and hit people, again I stand my ground.

Right now London has cyclists on the pavement all over the place and jumping red lights.

If you can’t cycle on the road where bikes are meant to be, then don’t cycle. If you have to be on a pavement stop or you move, not the pedestrian.

@BeebSleeve

Thank you for reminding me of another peeve! Cyclists cycling on the road WHEN THERE IS A FUCKING CYCLING LANE NEXT TO IT

YANBU you saved the job of starting a thread, after a woman cycling on a pavement nearly crashed into me (l had to jump out the way) and was less than 2 metres from me. Don’t even start me on the insufferable bell ringing, on the pavement it’s my right of way so don’t bloody ring it

The only exception for me is small children ( under 10s) and if they are out in a family group the adults should still be on the road . A while ago I actually emailed 2 local schools to get them to mention to their pupils about being careful if cycling on pavements as twice in a week my dog and myself were nearly knocked over on the pavement . On one occasion it was 3 secondary school pupils who literally bundled me into someone’s garden wall .

crisp yes! I get monumentally shitty when a cyclist uses the road and not a cycle path. The arrogance. And I'm usually walking on the shared cycle path.

I also get the rage with joggers on the road. Running to be healthy but prepared to risk being run over.