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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Decided to move from my home town because the cyclists are so bad

49 replies

Pavementworrier · 03/12/2025 17:25

I know this sounds absurd and overdramatic but I can't handle it any more - they speed along the pavement with no thought for anyone else and in the dark it has just become terrifying. I'm really sick of walks being stressful. I can't walk along a pavement listening to music any more. At narrow parts by a busy A road they pass each OTHER on the pavement and seem to just expect pedestrians to get into traffic.

I hate it and them and I am off. Please tell me where has no cyclists.

OP posts:
Redpeach · 03/12/2025 17:27

LA?

Original poster
Pavementworrier · 03/12/2025 17:28

Redpeach · 03/12/2025 17:27

LA?

Ok this is fair I wasn't clear.

Somewhere there are no cyclists and also no other lunatic situations going on. I'm thinking 1990s energy. Pre SusTrans and Spokes. But also no Charles Manson stuff.

OP posts:
HundredMilesAnHour · 03/12/2025 17:31

I don’t understand why you don’t just stand your ground? And take a torch for when it’s dark?

Are you seriously considering moving or are you just wanting a good moan about how inconsiderate some cyclists are?

Therapee · 03/12/2025 17:33

Edinburgh is fine.

Redpeach · 03/12/2025 17:33

A motorway?

Original poster
Pavementworrier · 03/12/2025 17:33

HundredMilesAnHour · 03/12/2025 17:31

I don’t understand why you don’t just stand your ground? And take a torch for when it’s dark?

Are you seriously considering moving or are you just wanting a good moan about how inconsiderate some cyclists are?

Well how do I stand my ground when they're going at 15/20mph in the dark and I don't see them coming??

I am seriously planning it and it is seriously entirely because cycling behaviour has become so bad (ironically since the installation of the city wide cycle path system). I don't drive, I walk everywhere, and it just feels like a matter of time before I am badly hurt.

I guess at least as a non driver I don't have the added fear of what happens if they cycle into my car and die and then I go to prison.

OP posts:
Original poster
Pavementworrier · 03/12/2025 17:34

Therapee · 03/12/2025 17:33

Edinburgh is fine.

No sarcasm on the thread, thanks

OP posts:
SleeplessInWherever · 03/12/2025 17:36

May I not recommend Cheshire. We are unable to drive anywhere without overtaking approximately 75 of them.

I wouldn’t move however, because they don’t live in my house or garden.

Therapee · 03/12/2025 17:36

? I'm not being sarcastic. I live here, walk everywhere (no car) and don't experience anything like what you're talking about

Original poster
Pavementworrier · 03/12/2025 17:37

Therapee · 03/12/2025 17:36

? I'm not being sarcastic. I live here, walk everywhere (no car) and don't experience anything like what you're talking about

You definitely don't live there then!

OP posts:
Octavia64 · 03/12/2025 17:38

Ely? It’s full of refugees from Cambridge and a distinct lack of cyclists.

not so sure about the 90s vibe.

RaininSummer · 03/12/2025 17:38

Totnes probably wouldn't stand for this modern shenanigans. I do agree with you though as it is so frightening.

PrincessofWells · 03/12/2025 17:39

Sahara, there might be the occasional camel train to dodge?

ForPlumReader · 03/12/2025 17:41

Pavementworrier · 03/12/2025 17:34

No sarcasm on the thread, thanks

Show quote history

I don't think there is any sarcasm. I've been to Edinburgh (along with many other cities) and found it (& many others) to be fine.

Original poster
Pavementworrier · 03/12/2025 17:41

PrincessofWells · 03/12/2025 17:39

Sahara, there might be the occasional camel train to dodge?

That's a good idea it must be really hard to cycle on sand

OP posts:
dynamiccactus · 03/12/2025 17:43

This makes no sense, Drivers on pavements are far more of a menace - either parking, so blocking the pavement and forcing pedestrians into the road, or just driving along them.

Cyclists are really not the problem (other than the delivery e-bike riders in London who are a nuisance and need sorting out - eg by people collecting their own takeaways!)

Don't ever go to Denmark, the Netherlands or Germany, OP.

ThatCoolGoose · 03/12/2025 17:44

Maybe only listen with one ear and you may hear them coming.
Opposite view.
Cycling on approved cycleway with adjacent footpath.
Lady with dog on her correct footpath.I cycle on cycleway but her little dog on a lead decides to foul the grass verge.
Dog Lead right across cycleway and by God's good grace I did not go upside down with lead in wheel.she jumped as I shouted but had earphones in so did not hear 3 lots of bells and shouts!!!

MrsMoastyToasty · 03/12/2025 17:44

Don't move to Bristol then. For a fecking hilly city Its full of cyclists (especially the sub species the MAMIL) and its also the home of Sustrans.

dynamiccactus · 03/12/2025 17:44

RaininSummer · 03/12/2025 17:38

Totnes probably wouldn't stand for this modern shenanigans. I do agree with you though as it is so frightening.

Totnes is too hilly!

Well, the path to Dartington is quite cyclable but the one to Sharpham - yuck. Having done the parkrun along there I'd not much want to ride!

PrincessofWells · 03/12/2025 17:44

Pavementworrier · 03/12/2025 17:41

That's a good idea it must be really hard to cycle on sand

Show quote history

That was my reasoning . . .

FigTreeInEurope · 03/12/2025 17:44

Definitely not a canal barge. The way cyclists behave on the towpath is insane.

HundredMilesAnHour · 03/12/2025 17:47

Pavementworrier · 03/12/2025 17:33

Well how do I stand my ground when they're going at 15/20mph in the dark and I don't see them coming??

I am seriously planning it and it is seriously entirely because cycling behaviour has become so bad (ironically since the installation of the city wide cycle path system). I don't drive, I walk everywhere, and it just feels like a matter of time before I am badly hurt.

I guess at least as a non driver I don't have the added fear of what happens if they cycle into my car and die and then I go to prison.

Show quote history

Are there no street lights? As long as they can see you, keep walking and let them avoid you (unless it’s actually a cycle path that you shouldn’t be walking on). Just make sure you’re visible.

Okiedokie123 · 03/12/2025 17:51

if it really is that bad……
It most likely will be very often the same people each day. Start sticking up for yourself. Stand in the middle of the pavement as they approach, make yourself wide so that you are in their way.
As they pass and especially if they stop - explain the law to them. Take a photo of them on their bike. Then have a mown at your local police and get them involved in caring about pedestrians.
I walk everywhere every day but only have this problem about once a week. (Still annoying though).
Also dont listen to music in both ears as you walk, one is fine but not both. Just as they need to pay attention to their surroundings so do you!

RaininSummer · 03/12/2025 17:55

Pretty scary standing your ground as they go pretty fast and may just hit you then.

mistlethrush · 03/12/2025 17:57

I stood my ground a few months ago when a man was cycling at me on a mountain bike. He had a go at me because 'I was a reservist' (said he) - I suggested that he should be better following the law than he was then. At least he was going a reasonable speed - it's the ones on the e bikes that use the pavements to overtake cars driving at the speed limit that really scare me... more like motorbikes and their riders are almost always wearing balaclavas rather than cycle helmets - probably so that they can't be recognised.

As for the 'Just eat' and other delivery drivers in the centre of town that seem to think that pedestrian areas are designated so that they can go faster on their bikes....