Cycling On The Pavement, What's Your Excuse?

[DangerUXD]

One of my bug bears I suppose but I'm old school, trained to cycle on the road properly and obey road rules etc. Anyway the other day I was walking home and some numpty on a bike got right up behind and rang his bell. I did not move at all and after a bit more ringing I turned around and pointed out the road about 2 feet to his left and said "get on the road, why are you on the pavement?" - Here's the good bit, he said and I kid ye not, it was less dangerous to pedestrians if he cycles on the pavement that it is to cyclists to cycle on the road - I've only just stopped ranting! How has it got to the stage now where most cyclists think that cycling on the pavement is ok? Dropping the kerbs at the corners hasn't helped here either.

[B00]

You're on a bike?

Gerroff the bloody pavement and leave it for what it's designed for...foot traffic.

[emmie]

you tell em. ^^

[murraymints]

Pavements are for people....roads are for bikes....seemples!!!

[tonyav]

Ought to be tasered imo.

[emmie]

not sure i would go that far, but did a little cheer when i read of the little old lady who whacked one cyclist with her shopping bag, he was on the pavement, she didn't like it, and wham..

[tonyav]

em those little old lady's usually have quite a good aim, years of experience I think lol.

[Answerprancer]

"seemples" ...aaagh! That's nearly as bad as "end of"!

[murraymints]

Answer......talk to the hand !!! Lol.....

[emmie]

as bad x x

[murraymints]

Em....missing you already !! ....hee hee

[Answerprancer]

Aggh! ..no ..STOP !!!

[xraanswerban]

Yes cyclists are better off riding on the pavement as the roads are too dangerous, as long as they are careful, and respectful of other users.
Motorists don't give a dam about cyclists, public roads anywhere in the world are the killing fields, even crossing the roads on foot is an hazardous venture.

[aristotle13]

It really is time that cyclists were forced to obey the law and the police directed to prosecute where there have been blatant disregard for the law and footpath users. There are many instances of arrogant behavious by cyclists in and around Scarborough including travelling the wrong way on a one-way street, ignoring traffic light reds, and cycling on the pavement and straight over a junction without even looking to see if there was any vehicles about to traverse the junction. Collisions with pedestrians are a regular occurence and whilst most of these have trivial outcomes, there are occasions where a person is quite seriously damaged. A driving test and a requirement to have insurance and pay road tax like other road users would maybe reduce the incidence of cycles being ridden by idiots.

[spike01]

Don't blame the cyclists. It is extremely dangerous for them to cycle on the roads. Blame the various authorities, national and local Governments, planning authorities etc. for not planning in and building separate cycleways. When Stevenage was built theses were built in as part of the infrastructure. The problem is everyone is greedy and the mighty dollar rules despite the detrimental effect to people. The government is always spouting that people should cycle more, exercise more but are not willing to invest money, which in the long run would result in a massive saving re cost to the NHS ,of Hospitalisation, obesity, reduction of vehicles on the road etc etc.

[Zacs-Master]

What about the cost to the NHS of cyclists knocking pedestrians over? Personally I'd have dragged the Salads Chef off his bike and beaten him with his pump.

[sandancer1951]

Cyclists who cycle on pavements are breaking the law and it is time the authorities came down heavily on them. More than once, I've had to avoid a cyclist zooming round a blind corner. And many times I have seen cyclists swerving off the pavement and across a busy road in the path of oncoming traffic. I think the answer is to beef up the legislation so that cyclists should register their 'vehicle' with the DVLA and take out third party insurance. Cycles should have registration plates just as cars do and cyclists must be required to have warning bells on their cycles and must be made to use them. But that is not enough. The courts must then impose exemplary sentences on anybody who disregards these requirements.

[doddsredoubt]

I have asked my community support to monitor them coming up my road,but they tell me it is illegal but they don't have the man power,I will be writing to the Police now and my MP to stop this happening.my hearuing is not as it used to be I have had an operation in my right ear and can hear nothing now,my left ear I have an hearing aid and can only get about 50% hearing so I can't hear the cyclists coming.But I can understand allowing children on the pavements theyv are too young to go on our busy roads,but do they cycle fast?????

[edithfreeman]

Even worse have cycles paths all safe and sound new no pot holes then ride the road with pot holes and swerve in front of cars.Catterick Garrison spent a hole amount on paths and are expanding them!!!!!

[margk2004]

A lot of places in Europe have specially designated cycle lanes (just for cyclists - no other traffic or pedestrians). They should try that here and that would go a long way to solving this problem.

[joeluke]

IMO cyclists are not doing any harm if they're on pedestrian free pavements - if there's pedestrians around they should move onto the road

What about the 'I own the pavement/shop aisles/supermarket aisles so everyone needs to get out of my way' mobility scooter riders?