4-year-olds cycling on pavements?

[ScarlettCrossbones]

Does anyone happen to know the law/rules wrt children cycling on pavements? It's one of my pet hates, seeing adults or big kids whizzing along inches from you on the pavement when they should be on the road, but what would you think the cut-off age is?

DS (4) has just got his stabilisers off and I've been pretty anal about not letting him cycle on pavements (start as you mean to go on and all that ) but that means there's, well, not many other places he can actually go! The only real alternative is hoiking his bike into the car and driving to the park, which kinda negates the healthy green aspect of cycling.

If you all think it's ok for kids up to a certain age to go on the pavement, I'll maybe reconsider ... .

Thx!

I don't at all mind seeing other people's small children on bikes on the pavement (provided they are being sensible), but I get twitchy about whether I'd be judged for letting mine do it. But I don't stress about whether I'll be judged for letting him ride his scooter on the pavement. Basically, I am just a mass of neuroses...

Useful info, Flossy!

Given that cycling proficiency is done in yr6 I'd say that most children younger than that shouldn't be on most roads. My DD (just starting yr6 so not yet done the course) uses pavements (considerately) if necessary to link off-road paths.

DH is currently doing likewise as he only learned to ride last year and honestly can't do signals without wobbling yet. He does not 'whizz along' . He's improving and starting to venture off the pavement thank goodness!

Mrs MH yes I would, I have to, there are no pavements here. alternative is walking on the road. Its lot quicker and there is less whining if we use the bikes.
Pavement cycling is all well and good for townies but a non starter in the sticks.