Bicycles and scooters on pavements and shared walking spaces

[PerhapsPerhapsMaybe]

AIBU to think that scooters and bicycles on pavements is out of control and it’s time there were laws to protects pedestrians

Why? The council has said they want us to cycle to work, they have said to use this path they have provided for us to cycle on, and then you expect me to cycle at a pace that I’d never get to work at? It doesn’t stack up!

I’m on a FOOTpath, so the only person causing an accident would be the arsehole cyclist riding illegally.

you could say exactly the same for drivers, except its 20x the money spent on cycling and yet drivers still act like dicks

people use different modes of transports, whether they are a dick will not determine the type of tranposrt they choose

Sorry edited because I posted before I finished typing.

I do have sympathy for cyclists on shared infrastructure but ultimately pedestrians are more vulnerable than cyclists so if using a shared path then yes, you should slow down and be extra careful - just like cars should slow down for cyclists on roads (I know people will argue that many drivers don’t do this but that makes them arseholes, doesn’t mean cyclists should also be arseholes to pedestrians).

A pavement (technically called a footway in UK law) is a paved pedestrian path running alongside a road or carriageway, whereas a footpath is a standalone pedestrian route—often unpaved—found in parks, across countryside fields, or through woodland.

I think the thread is generally talking about pavements and shared paths for cycling and pedestrians use

not footpaths

I don't want to see pedestrians two a breast if I'm running. They can jolly well move so I don't have to go in the road.
Or worse, walking three a breast, carry coffees and sauntering along at snails pace and not moving over. I get quite close to snapping at them.

you could say exactly the same for drivers, except its 20x the money spent on cycling and yet drivers still act like dicks
No, because cycle lanes are hardly used. So disproportionate is the right word.

entitled cyclists - who expect you to slow down, making trying to drive anywhere at a speed that gets you where you want to go in a practical amount of time impossible. And when you beep your horn you get a mouthful of abuse.

Imagine a driver writing that. Everyone would go insane with anger. The more “dangerous” person needs to be careful around the more vulnerable. The driver needs to slow down for the cyclist. And yes, the cyclist needs to slow down for the pedestrian.

I’m not arguing that they don’t. I’m arguing that ‘shared use’ paths are shit for ALL users and are a half arsed way of a council pretending they’re providing infrastructure for cyclists when they’re not.

The shared paths like that here are ignored by the cyclists and they almost all cycle on the pedestrian part, despite the clear signage.

You must cycle at a pace where you don’t endanger other path users. You are the one on wheels who has been thrust in someone else’s space

If you worry about being late for work you can do what every single person does and leave earlier.

Well near me the council spent 2 million making a cycle lane over a bridge. They made a 2 car lane bridge into a 1 car lane in order to have a full double lane totally separated and blocked off cycle lane. It even has its own traffic light system etc. Yet still cyclists use the road or even pavement.

Why do you think you have priority just because you’re running?

As above it is actually difficult and dangerous to try to cycle at walking speed. You are very likely to wobble (into pedestrians) and fall off.

Why do they have priority because they're walking? The answer is neither has priority but the walkers are preventing the runner using the path in the way they want.

My current bugbear is people waiting at bus stops taking up the entire pavement and not letting us past on the way to school. Having said that my child on his scooter other going full throttle soon creates a space.

I think shared paths only work if they actually have enough space for the different users.

Then I guess if you feel you’re a danger to pedestrians you’ll need to just dismount and walk past.

I walk regularly on the PAVEMENT of my local town. I don't mind children cycling on it, drivers are terrible, especially mums doing the school run. 🙄
I've lost count of the number of adults cycling towards me. I never move aside, so they have to stop and wait for me to go by. I believe that it's illegal for them to be cycling on the pavement anyway. Not that it's ever enforced. It's always men too.

But the way you want to use it is selfish and antisocial. The path was designed for pedestrians to get from one place to another. It was not designed as a running track.

Until your child crashes into someone with restricted mobility or sight.

I cannot believe you are so ignorant.

perhaps better if you shout a cheery good day and ask if you can get passed, it often works well

pedestrians have as much right to walk down a pavement as anyone running

9 times out of ten giving a greeting, to attract attention and then stating you'd like to get passed and they move over and mostly seem to apologise ( I say no need to be sorry thanks you)

I don't ignore the signage and many others I know don't ignore it either, but thats anecdotal and your statement is a sweeping genralisation

Yes. The shared path with a line down it is adhered to in my area - except for the off lead dogs.

Ok for all the pedants out there:

I’m on a FOOTway, so the only person causing an accident would be the arsehole cyclist riding illegally.