to think that adult cyclists who ride on pavements are selfish & irresponsible?

[Rafi]

I can understand it if there's a child on the back. But normally it seems to be some selfish idiot who thinks they can do what they want & never mind the pedestrians...

AIBU?

YANBU

I ride on the pavement of busy roads, because I have the DDs in the trailer. However, I make sure I am courteous, and polite.

If adult on their own then they should know better.

YANBU - and middle aged women with baskets are the worst offenders in our area!

what difference exactly does it make having a child on the back? if it's safe for someone to ride on the pavement with a child on their bike, why is it not safe for someone without a child?

I really really hate adult cyclists who cycle on pavements and then ring the bell when they want to get past you. FFS if you're on the pavement (ie pedestrian bit, not on a cycle path) slow the bike down and say 'excuse me'. I don't have a big problem with cyclists on pavements, as long as they are aware it is the pedestrian's right of way and behave accordingly.

My response is usually 'why don't you ride on the road with the big boys/girls?

Really piss me off. Its hard enough trying to cycle in london with children, when you get selfish gits on their way to work using the pavement as a short cut.

YANBU - but they shouldn't be on the pavement at all - child or no child.

We cycle with the kids - either in a seat on the back or in a trailer. We pick quiet routes and we stay on the road - even if it means a longer journey (all the better for reducing my huge backside). If we have to negotiate a busy stretch, we get off and walk.

I have been mown down by too many eejits on bikes on the pavements. They are for people who walk - FFS.

Maybe not entirely unreasonable but this country is not a good place for cyclists. The roads are sometimes even less suitable than the pavement. If we got some decent bike lanes no one would need to cycle on pavements.

I ride quite a lot on pavements. Roads are overly populated by car/van/lorry drivers who have little regard for my mortality. So in some circs I have little choice. Will do it carefully to not cause upset to anyone. But, until the road bit is safer I'll keep on doing it.

So you are being unreasonable for this absurd statement in your thread title, which you make only a slight effort to qualify in your OP.

Bit serious on this.....

I think pavements are for pedestrians and cyclists should stay off them.. I do agree that more bike lanes would be good, but the lack of them doesn't justify cyclists clogging up the pavements and endangering pedestrians.

I was just going to write what Pan wrote. She saved me the trouble - thanks Pan.

I too will be continuing to ride on the pavement, carefully, when near to having close death experiences on the road.

i ride on the pavement rather than major roads as i dont fancy dying getting mowed down by the passing drivers on their mobile phones. I do try and stick to cycle paths and will cycle on the small residential roads especially to get round pedestrians.

yes, it is illegal butterfly. I will unhappily risk having a fine or whatever. I bike to work along a dual carriage way that takes traffic off the Snake Pass and the A628 Woodhead Pass over the Pennines. It is a life-threatening experience to use the road, so sod it.

Peas - glad I saved you the bother! btw, am a bloke.

I think Pan should tell us about his cycling shorts.

I think you need a cold shower.

I second of third Pan. Unfortuately i have been knocked off twice now and though never ring people I usually get off the pavement whilst passing people the roads as just so dangerous in some places.

i would never cycle past near someone esp. if they are old/with kids and I keep my speed down.

some car drivers give little or no consideration to cyclists.

We should have proper bike lanes.

Before you judge try cycling for a month and see if you change your mind.

I wouldn't mind cyclists riding on the pavement so much if they didn't seem to think that they had the right to get places quickly. Noone round here seems to have a bell either. Scary when you have disabled children who cannot get out of the way. Did anyone mention near death experiences?

ha, go on Pan.

I try to ride on the road, but with fire engines and bloody lorries trying to knock me and dd2 off with the gush of wind from them being too close and trying to shout directions at dd1 so she doesn't end up underneath one of them, its usually safer for me to be on the path and I am very courteous to pedestrians.

Are they neon?

Very unusual here for cyclists to get off the pavement when they see you coming.

Cory-we have bells, but i always feel like they think i'm being cheeky if i do it, I usually get dd1 to ring hers [wimp]

The majority of cyclists here in Milan cycle on the pavement, as there are no cycling paths and the roads are dangerous, really dangerous. But I sadly have to report that lots of cyclists are a danger on the pavement. I thought it was a typical Italian situation though.