is this ok or am I just a paranoid nutter?

[yajorome]

Now I'm not going to do anything or say anything - was really just wondering what you thought. Is this is one of those insane things I worry about (everyone has one or two) or is it just not a good idea.

Here tis: many mornings coming into school I see a father on his bike following his 5 year old daughter riding a bike with training wheels inches from the kerb on the road. I mean, they're riding on the road, inches from the kerb. This particular road is one way, somewhat narrow, fairly busy in the morning with lots of parents parking and getting their kids off. (The vast majority of parents at the school are extremely considerate and those that aren't don't even bother parking there - they take some residents spaces in a small car park.)

I'm terrified every time I see her - she's not great and is very slow, even with training wheels and is riding so close to the kerb. We ride in sometimes and my 8 year old son (very good cyclist) and I take up the road - it is a short stretch and as it's narrow, you do take up the road if you're a proper distance from the kerb and biking at a fast pace around parked cars iyswim. I'm not afraid she's going to get hit by an idiot, more that she'll hit the kerb and fall into the road.

I do sometimes feel like saying "It's ok for her to ride on the pavement, you can ride with her - you're not going fast and it's not that far and no one will mind ('cause they won't, you need to trust me on this despite whatever horrid incidents you've had with cyclists on pavements - she's going at a fast walking pace if that and he stays behind her -- think he's doing this to be ultra-considerate and/or strictly within the law).

So.... am I just an insane worried freak who needs a bit more to worry about in my own life?

"residents' spaces", obviously. Glad no one minds run-on sentences.

Children under the age of 14 (as I recall) can ride on the pavement completely within the law. I agree, I wouldn't let a five year old ride on the road.

I can remember as a child (prob 7/8)being stopped and told off by a policeman for riding on the pavement by our house.
What a twunt i have never forgiven him.

Sorry no advice

Here you go, it's a bit convoluted but cycling and the law .

It appears that cycling on the pavement under the age of 10 can be allowed to do so. However, the penalty for riding on the pavement is a fine... but they're not actually allowed to give the penalty to anyone under the age of 16 .

Also the police guidelines are to only prosecute those who are endangering others - so as long as she is riding considerately, she should be fine.

I very occasionally ride my bike to school with ds (4) he always rides on the pavement though and I ride real slow on the road, the people we meet think he is really sweet and he is really polite - stops, gets out of way, says thank you etc. (and looks where he is going )
The thought of allowing him on the road would turn my hair white, he has come off a number of times for no goodreason at all, just got going a bit fast or turned a bit strangely and slam he is on the deck again!

There is a man who goes past out house with his DTs on training wheels on the road (ie two 4/5 yo) he rides beside them and they wobble around parked cars etc. The first time I saw them I stunned into silence and dd1 (10yo) said "Mum, taht is so dangerous - those boys could fall off under a car"...

I think you are right - I worry too, however, I don't think I would do anything - they must have worked out the risks themselves and decided it was worht it.

I have to say, I feel very fortunate that there's shared cycle/pedestrian paths all around our neighbourhood. Much more sensible, imo.