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

What helps is having paths that are truly wide enough and people being careful and courteous on all sides.

I agree especially with the latter.

In my area, I swear some cyclists expect you to have eyes in the back of your head when they’re the ones who can see they’re approaching you from behind

I can look behind me on a narrow path and there will be no one in front or behind and then I’ll feel a presence less than a minute later or see a shadow and stop and then the cyclist will move past me despite there being a clear road they could have been on during the day it is quiet.

What makes it worst, they’re silent. I cycled a lot as a child and as a teen and my bike made noise and some would attach playing cards on their bikes to make a sound. You also would alert yourself with a bell when you were 8- 10 feet away and slow down as to not make the pedestrian jump. Not that different from driving a car where you leave enough space between cars.

I teach my kids to keep to one side and have us walk single-filed.

I definitely think paths should be a bit wider yet I’ve observed even if there is ample room there will always be inconsiderate people who will see it as a challenge to spread out fully on the path and expect others to move around them. I see it plenty with all age groups in my area and the shared paths are imo big enough, although the pavement isn’t.

In my area it would be very difficult to not have to walk a long way round to avoid shared use paths for both pedestrians and people on bicycles.

Added to this the council have changed so many pavements into shared use paths, then the signage over 20 years has faded where it used to say cycle path ends - so cyclists are then unaware that they are cycling on a pavement for sole use of pedestrians, as the sign at the beginning of the shared use path states its for both and there is no way of now knowing that has ended.

Sadly not its a cheap trick that can end badly in confrontation for both parties unaware that there are valid reasons this is happening

It’s a shame nobody enforces them.

I had something similar the other day. A child going fast on her bike with her father coming behind her but behind me. I moved over to make room for pedestrians coming my way and he nearly hit me. Instinctively I shouted at him and I got a load of abuse back.

Where I live, a long stretch of the high street has narrow pavements, only wide enough for 2 people side by side. To pass someone with a double buggy or holding a child by the hand, you have to step into the road.

You still get fucking idiotic cyclists riding on the pavement, often to avoid waiting at a set of 4-phase traffic lights. There's no chance of getting a cycle lane either, part of the road is so narrow that a stretch of it is one way at a time, controlled by the traffic lights.

I love living in a historic town, full of lovely old buildings, but it does have its downsides.

I live in a historic town where the pavement isn't wide enough to pass someone with a double buggy when you have a single buggy - but you can't step off the pavement into the road as there are cars parked nose to tail

Lol, what? So you’re annoyed because that cyclist didn’t ring his bell but also cyclists ringing the bell gives you the rage? So are we allowed to use our bell or not?

I use my bell when on a shared path, i.e. in a park to WARN people I’m behind them so they or their dog don’t step in front of me by mistake. Would you rather I just bumped into you?

I stick to the rules and never go particularly fast. My bike is just a regular pushbike, not an electric bike but it seems some people just hate all cyclists regardless even when we haven’t done anything wrong.

Ahhh the 3 year old arseholes 😂😂

And yet statistically accidents are low

Loveky historiv towns weren't really built for so much motor vehicles. Perhaps more roads need to be made car free. Nicer for many.

The bell is more likely to make someone like me, with my particular version of ASD, move erratically. It’s just a bad idea.

You shouldn’t need a bell to pass safely. If you do, you are going too fast.

Or maybe if you do it's because the pedestrian is weaving all over the path ao you couldn't pass them safely at any speed.

I think that more cyclists need to remember that pedestrians don't have to pass a test to use the pavement, they can be disabled in a variety of ways and even under the influence of alcohol. You can't assume any level of competency from a person on foot and should always be prepared to slow down or stop if necessary when riding a bike.

Well let’s face it most 3 year olds are 😂

That's my approach when cycling, I go around to pass pedestrians but I'm always ready to stop quickly if they move unexpectedly. Though the only time that happened was my DS, also on a bike, suddenly veering in front of me! We were both going fast then (as no pedestrians around at all) but I still managed to stop, by slamming my foot down which hurt a lot so I'm not going fast with him again!

That's why I specified a shared path 🙄

I do wish some good cycling infrastructure was introduced nationwide as in Denmark for example.

Incidentally the biggest issue of people on shared paths is the use of earphones - the lack of situational awareness of pedestrians is quite staggering as is the lack of some cyclists to realise this and cycle accordingly.

Then slow to a walking pace or get off and walk. Walkers and joggers also have to navigate "ditherers" and jay-walkers. You have no greater right to use the path just because you're faster.

No, of anything they have a greater responsibility because they are on wheels.

I deliberately specified a footpath in my original comment, to avoid that exact misunderstanding 😂

I support cycling infrastructure and dislike shared paths for the same reasons as you.

Especially with a bike bell 😂😂

My kids aren't allowed to cycle on the street for that reason, we go to the park. Maybe if I had just 1 it would be different though, and as they grow up they should be fine on shared paths.

I used to hate cyclists on pavements... Until I got my own bike! Now I realise that a lot of pavements in our area are shared paths. They are not wide enough, very poorly signed so pedestrians are not aware cyclists are supposed to be there... It's a pain for everyone tbh.
I try to stay on the road as much as possible, but sometimes it's unavoidable, particularly when there is a lot of traffic.

No, some pedestrians walk in the middle of the path. I'm not going to squeeze past in the hope they won't step right or left, I'll use the bell so they're aware I'm here and will stick to one side.

It’s usually pedestrians wandering on to the cycle part of the shared routes where I live.

The real culprit though is the Council’s Transport Department - shared routes are not good design.

What are "shared walking spaces" shared with if it's not bikes?

Yes, as a walker and cyclist I do the same. But I "ding" my bell from quite a way back a couple of times so as not to startle the walker, and slow right down if they don't appear to have heard me, preparing to pass at a walking pace after shouting to them when I'm close, i.e. "bike to your right", which usually works. If someone really is oblivious and no sign at all of having heard me either ding or shout, I'll pass VERY slowly and often will get off and walk.