To let DC cycle in a ‘no cycling’ park?

[RaisinFlapjack]

Our school run (of 1 mile) takes us through a park which has a no cycling policy. Until recently DC have scooted, but eldest (6) has recently started to prefer cycling.

Lots of small children ride trikes etc through the park and it’s not at all uncommon to see older children on bikes too.

So..do I let DC cycle through the park in contravention of the ‘no cycling’ policy, tell them they have to scoot or take the long way round on the road, avoiding the park, so they can cycle?

When you set off give 6 yr old cycling dc a choice

Take her bike but she has to walk it through the park
Take her scooter and she can stay on it all the way (and you will take her out for a cycle later)
Take her bike and cycle the long way round but only offer this one if you are ready in time, you have energy as do other dc

She gets to learn about trade offs, planning ahead and making choices

@MichelleScarn

Agree with hop off the bike and walk through park. *@Twickerhun* hows your DC?

Ok now physically now thanks, although scared of loud children on bikes.

Children aged under 16 just for have the cognitive ability to asses risks and consequences. That’s why they don’t drive. That’s why we need to reinforce rules where they exist, as they can’t help being crazy and over the top sometimes.

A 6yo is safer cycling in a park than on a road where you would expect an adult to cycle. You've missed the point. It is a no cycling area.

That's all you need to know. Every other user is expecting there to be the total sum of zero cyclists, no matter how small, wobbly, inoffensive, fast or slow they are.

There are reasons for that designation and it is not for every would be user to remake those decisions to suit themselves whilst being utterly unaware of the reasons behind the formal decision!

Unfortunately, no he mustn’t cycle there. Could you just push the bike through the park?

@looptheloopinahulahoop

Park says no cycling.

Parent says "we are special, we will cycle anyway".

Park gets closed completely.

Parent cries foul.

Sigh. If the park says no cycling, don't cycle, take the kids somewhere else to scoot and cycle.

exactly this.

there is a short area in park near my house that says no cycling.
There is a cycle path a few metres away.
Still people feel as though the rules don't apply to them or their entitled offspring.

Unless sign says "No cycling for everyone but @RaisinFlapjack DC" then don't cycle there.

If it's a no-cycling park, then that's because pedestrians have priority. Presumably that's either because cyclists make it difficult for pedestrians to safely access the park (the children who cycle on my street could break the land-speed record) or because the park area is a site of scientific special interest or similar. It's unlikely to be a policy for no reason. Therefore, no, you shouldn't let your DC cycle there.

I'd suggest campaigning for more cyclist-friendly routes and spaces, which I agree are lacking.

It's a "no cycling" park.

DC can scoot,or push the bike,or walk,or run - lots of options.
This is a bit of a no brainer really,and it's a good life lesson in realising you can't always do something just because that's what you'd prefer to do,and in the deciding between the options you have.

Playing devil’s advocate - surely all pavements are technically cycle free? As in, people should be cycling on the roads while pedestrians only are on the pavements. But we accept that small children can cycle on the pavements as it’s safer. Is this not similar?

Is the park otherwise well used?

Our main town park used to be no cycling, the one that would otherwise be a nice cycle from the station to the main industrial sites.

They've removed the signs and made it all cycle friendly now, as part of initiatives designed to encourage cycling for health and environmental reasons. If it's safe (ie not too crowded) for children to cycle to school through there, that's to be encouraged. Lobby the council to change the outdated rules.

I do actually think it's a grey area - as pavements are technically supposed to be no cycling too legally, but no one would mind a 6 year old cycling (slowly and carefully) on a pavement. On the other hand, it is ignoring the rules...

Yes of course. Those signs are like the "no ball games" signs. Anything for safer cycling should be welcomed.

If it says don't cycle then don't cycle.

Ffs.

It's wilful isn't it?

The ignoring of any and all information, not opinion, that may make a difference!

Do the rules apply to you?
Of course they do.

Ask the park owners (council?) if the no cycling rule includes young children. If it does abide by the rules and explain to your child why.

In a no cycling part you don't scoot either.

I cycle and I truly see it is how tempting it is as parks are safer than the road. But the park rules are providing people on foot with a safe space. Bikes or electric scooter imo are unsafe near people on foot.

I would either push the bike through the park or go around.

Well clearly, your precious child should not be subject to the rules provided to keep ordinary mortals in check.

Go ahead OP, let them cycle in a park which doesn't allow cycling. It's good grounding for them to be entitled throughout their life. Go on ahead. The rest of us will just suck it up and obey the rules because we don't have a superior entitled complex.

Child pushes bike through park.

Solution. Problem solved.

No. Definitely not

Walk the bike through the park. Probably adds one minute to the journey, still exercise.

No cycling means no cycling - not that hard a decision to make 🤷🏻‍♀️

I can't believe how many people think the rules should just be blindly followed, rather than thinking about whether bylaws that may well have been set in the 1950s are still appropriate and should be challenged.

It just means no cycling, not no bikes. Get off and walk the bike through the park then cycle the rest of the way...