Why Do Cyclists Think That Dinging A Bell Legitimises Riding On The Pavement?

[ToraToraTora]

Just had a run in with an idiot cyclist, riding on the pavement when there is a perfectly good road to his right. Dinging the p0xy little bell for pedestriants to get out of the way! Was there ever a device that has a more opposite effect? All it does for me is tell me there is a retard comming make sure you block him! Why can't cyclists ride on the road? Not too tricky is it?

[Baldric]

How many motorists insist in driving in pedestrianised areas every day?

[Khandro]

Several years ago, I was the acting cycling representative on the Gloucestershire Road Safety Committee and trying to get a footpath along a busy road designated for cyclists to use as well but to no avail. A senior police officer said to me privately, "it's sad to say, but what is needed is a serious accident to happen before any action will be taken". Damn me, if within a few months a youngster was knocked off his bike and killed on the same stretch.
The shuffling of feet was audible! and it was quickly made into (and still is) a dual-purpose pathway.

[Mamyalynne]

If a cyclist needs to be on the pavement ( pavement not shared path or cycle lane) then they should walk their cycle along.

I have been knocked over in a scenario similar to above when stepping out of a shop doorway and it blooming hurt!!

[ToraToraTora]

"The Highway Code may state that you shouldn't cycle on pavements but how many cyclists are taken to court for doing it? "

not enough it seems, so on your planet it's ok to ignore the laws you do not like?

"and how many of the Highway Codes 'rules' are broken by motorists every day? "

Well plenty I imagine but we are talking about one specific offence here. The HC says you "MUST NOT", when it uses the word "MUST" it means it is and actual law not a suggestion. The HC is not all law, a lot of it is a set of "rules" that can be used to determine things like DWDCAA.

[joeluke]

'so on your planet it's ok to ignore the laws you do not like?'

If I'm unlikely to be prosecuted for breaking them and it means I'm far less likely to be hit by a careless driver then yes

[ToraToraTora]

great so now cyclists can kill the pedestrians:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-12816829

[jim360]

Cyclists come in multiple categories and not all people who cycle on the pavement do so in a reckless manner, which is particularly what the law is there for. At the very least there are different shades of "wrong" about it -- someone cycling through a red light at breakneck speed without a helmet or lights when it's dark is surely far worse than someone who goes on the pavement at a trundle when the house is 50 yards away and who stops/ returns to the road whenever pedestrians are approaching?

[ToraToraTora]

yes there are degrees jim but I regularly battle the militant tendncy like joe luke who it seems cannot see the irony of labelling pedestrians ignorant if they do not tolerate his illegal antics.

[vulcan42]

No, I've just looked, the highway code says you must not cycle on the pavement. I thought for a minute they had added " by the way, if you think it's too dangerous to ride on the road by all means use the pavement".

[joeluke]

So would people move aside to let someone on a motorised scooter past?

Same principle, someone on a motorised scooter can be as dangerous (if not more so) than a cyclist

[Old_Geezer]

A cyclist is simply not doing as they should for their own purposes and expecting others to get out of the way. A person with a handicap who needs a vehicle is someone who has little choice and needs sympathy from others to help them get by. One can not reasonably compare these situations.

I get very annoyed when someone illegally cycling on the pedestrian pavement thinks they can force the unimportant pedestrians out of the way by ringing at them. Just who the heck do they think they are ? It is utterly unacceptable. And if there were more bobbies on the beat maybe a few would get a talking to and understand they are not the only ones with worth and the rest just c rap to get out of the way.

io blame the irresponsible idiots in government at all levels encouraging folk to take up this dangerous practice.

[B00]

I cannot begin to tell you how annoying I find cyclists on the pavement. Personally I'd have them all put against a wall and shot.

[mushroom25]

cycling on the pavement. hgvs using weight restricted residential streets as rat runs. vehicles with trailers overtaking in lane 3 of motorways. etc. etc. all illegal. all unenforced. all widely ignored.

[poorclare]

I am hard of hearing but do they care, I would also like to know why motorists think they own the roads and pavement, at the moment someone is parked on the pavement outside my door, which means if my 25 years old granddaughter, who is in a wheelchair will not be able to get in. Don't know who owns the car never saw it before but its been there for over 3 hours.

[B00]

Yep they annoy me too Clare, lets shoot them all!

[joeluke]

'A cyclist is simply not doing as they should for their own purposes and expecting others to get out of the way. A person with a handicap who needs a vehicle is someone who has little choice and needs sympathy from others to help them get by. One can not reasonably compare these situations. '

How many people who use motorised scooters are actually disabled and 'need sympathy' though?

Many scooter users are just too fat/lazy to walk anywhere

[Booldawg]

I feel sorry for these Illegal Footpath Cyclists. They are simply trying to create a better life for themselves by seeking asylum in the nearest safe area, escaping the constant threat of serious injury or death by motorists in their place of origin, the road.

Surely there is enough space on the footpath for us all to exist together in harmony

[vulcan42]

It doesn't matter if you feel sorry for them, it's illegal.

[poorclare]

to Joe Luke yes I would have the same attitude.
to Ummmm and what if like me you are deaf and standing waiting for a Bus,
am I expect to remain indoors at all times so the idiot can use the pavements,
I take it you are not disabled in any way, except having a brain problem like the idiot cyclists.

[murraymints]

Quite clear..pavements are for people....roads are for cyclists !! ...instant fine if I had my way !!!