Bicycles on pavements - why are they not being ridden on a road?

[FinallyMovingHouse]

I've only moved to near the centre of a town in the last 6 months and hence hadn't really noticed this where I used to live, which was more rural.

Can someone tell me why it seems now to be acceptable for people; all ages from schoolkids to 60 odd, to ride their bikes on the pavements and never seem to go on a road? I was trying to explain to my youngest DD (20) how my DH and I would have been shouted at by police and pedestrians if we'd tried that 30 years ago and definitely when we were teenagers (we're mid 50s).

Many have been very polite, waiting for me to notice them and then saying thank you when I've moved for them, but I've also had bells rung at me endlessly from a distance away until right behind me or the handlebars tapped to move me out of the way on a narrow pavement. So far I've stopped myself from retaliating but I do feel an overwhelming urge to shout "get off the effing pavement" more and more.

I do appreciate that yes, the roads are dangerous etc, etc but they're making the pavements dangerous, especially when you can't see them or they're going too fast. It's also illegal.

AIBU or am I just getting old and crabby?!

But this is not actually what the Highway Code say (stand aside and let cyclists pass):

62
Cycle Tracks. These are routes for cyclists that are physically protected or located away from motor traffic, other than where they cross side roads (see Rule 206). Cycle tracks may run alongside footpaths or pavements and be separated by a feature such as a change of material, a verge, a kerb or a white line. You MUST keep to the side intended for cyclists as the pedestrian side remains a pavement or footpath.
Some cycle tracks shared with pedestrians will not be separated by such a feature. On such shared use routes, you should always take care when passing pedestrians, especially children, older or disabled people, and allow them plenty of room. Always be prepared to slow down and stop if necessary (see Rule H2).

64
You MUST NOT cycle on a pavement.
Laws HA 1835 sect 72 & R(S)A 1984, sect 129

"I've also had bells rung at me endlessly from a distance away until right behind me"

I'm not saying yay or nay to the debate...but I often ring my bell from a distance to let a pedestrian know I'm coming behind. It's not a get out of the way signal, it's so they don't get a fright when I pass. By the scowls and glares I get, people clearly think I'm dinging them to get out of my way. I'm not. I slow down and say thank you with a smile, even if I'm getting daggers.

I don't cycle on pedestrian pavements mind...but the shared paths, pedestrians think it's theirs, the dog walkers think it's theirs, the group excursion think it's fine to block the path.
Everyone needs to be more considerate.

I can't see your link unfortunately, but I imagine it's because being road-adjacent makes it more dangerous?

You've definitely run out of straws to grasp.

In this picture, it's shared with a bus lane, so potentially more dangerous than a "normal" lane?

In the last 6 months we have had two cyclists killed by car drivers on what should be a 30mph road.

It's so dangerous for cyclists. I'd rather my kid rode slowly and sensibly on a path than navigate a road and impatient drivers.

Luckily, most of our city has well connected cycleways but it's an absolute death trap for any areas that do not..

It’s perfectly safe to cycle in the pavement if done with care to other users, though best avoided. On a shared cycle/pedestrian path it’s acceptable to ring your bell politely to alert pedestrians to your presence so they can allow you to pass. Cycling on the road should be done assertively. Frequently the state of the road close to the kerb can be shocking and dangerous to ride on. Not all cyclists wear Lycra. I’ve cycled with my young DC on the road, but with great care. They need to learn good road sense.

Had a google

HC

64
You MUST NOT cycle on a pavement.
Laws HA 1835 sect 72 & R(S)A 1984, sect 129

I doubt anybody minds parents riding on a pavement with their young children. I certainly don't, that's common sense.

Eh? You don't think there's a strong anti-cycling sentiment in this country?

@OverlyFragrant - good question. Section 62 of the Highway Code states, "On such shared use routes, you should always take care when passing pedestrians, especially children, older or disabled people, and allow them plenty of room. Always be prepared to slow down and stop if necessary (see Rule H2)." It doesn't cover every scenario, but it seems like a common sense starting point.

You have to use your common sense, don't you? I wouldn't personally start yelling after a kid cycling on a pavement that they were in breach of the 'Highway Code Points 62 and 64' if the road looked dangerous to cycle on.

That’s why we did cycling proficiency presumably

does this still happen

What's that got do with cyclists riding on pavements? I mean a legitimate reason, not a flimsy one.

Indeed, nor would I. But it's also useful to know what the law is.

It does, I see the local schools doing it.

Especially with the age of criminal responsibility....

because anyone over the age of 10 that cycles on the pavement is a twat.
Same as anyone that cycles and is either too visually impaired to see a red light, or too thick to understand that they are meant to stop at one.

Actually tumbled off my bike a couple of days ago...I'm fine but snapped my bell mount when the bike went over. I had to call, "ON YOUR LEFT/RIGHT" all along the shared cycle path home, which I think is far more alarming than the ding of a bell.

Bought a new bell yesterday...I'm going to go and fit it on now.

Nor do i

i do think we were taught to dismount if there were pedestrians about but understand about kids on pavements

Oh I do increasingly miss the funny reaction emoji 😄 🤣

Bless you x

People just don’t care, and there are no consequences to doing it.

Absolutely huge problem where I live in London - now including delivery drivers on power-assisted electric vehicles which can go at some speed.

Call them out and you can expect a mouthful of abuse too.

Cyclists are vulnerable if they are struck by motor vehicles. Cyclists also know that they are not liked by many of those operating motor vehicles. Therefore, they are choosing to stay out of the path of motor vehicles. I'm sure you understand all of this, you're just arguing for the sake of it.

I live by a fairly busy junction which gets a lot of cyclists.

I reckon one jumps the lights at least 50% of the time when I’m trying to cross.

I’ve been thinking about creating some sort of tool mounted on a lamp post to fire water at them or something.