Cyclists on the footpath
02-September-2010
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Cyclists on the footpath

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I can sympathise with cyclists when they say that they feel unsafe and threatened on our roads due to the amount of traffic and of course through the actions of selfish drivers.  Traffic volume has increased quite dramatically over the years and our cyclists on the road are not always well catered for.

A sign for cyclists advising them to dismount

What I don't understand is why some of them, when after they've acknowledged that a fast moving metal object can seriously injure someone, ride their cycles on the footpaths, weaving between people, creating obstruction and generally risking the health and wellbeing of pedestrians, in order to avoid being injured on the road themselves.  Pedestrian crossings seem to be fair game to them as well.  Children and especially the elderly stand very little chance if hit by a solid speeding handle bar in the ribs or step out of a shop and into the path of one of these inconsiderate individuals.

Not only that but when confronted about their antisocial, illegal and dangerous "driving habits" they either immediately assume the moral high ground and arrogantly tell you to get out of their way, or you're ignored as if you don't exist, the very same behaviour described when they complain about inconsiderate motor vehicle drivers on the road.  If you wish to come off a stretch of road and use a footpath, get off your bike and push it.  It's the law.

Just one example; not so long ago my wife and I were on holiday in the Lakes and were walking along a narrow footbridge which clearly bore the sign, "Cyclists Dismount" and even had a picture of a bike with a red line through it as you entered onto the bridge itself.  Halfway across the bridge and we were forced to squeeze ourselves to the side as a cyclists came past, tutting at the inconvenience of our presence and having had to slow down. Of course we were just ignored when we pointed out and quoted the signs at either end of the bridge.

Would any cyclists who do this like to explain why they put others at risk of injury, I'd be interested to understand the reasoning for your actions.

Cycling is a popular and healthy alternative to the motor car with the obvious environmental advantages, but please, don't justify your actions by saying that cycling on the road is too dangerous for you and then transfer that danger to the pedestrian on the footpath.

Thank you.

By: Sandman


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Look at this video.

Cycling along the canal towpath.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2ot5hkoECY

Note how few pedestrians there are. That's because of these dnagerous cyclist travelling at high speed along the towpath. I refuse to walk along the footpath any more.
*Cannibals of the Footpath  23-Aug-2010 23:18

 
It's odd isn't that people who cycle on the pavement always say that there is no other way to get where they want to go? They claim that there are no buses where they live, they don't have a car and it is too far to walk.

So why is that whenever it is pouring with rain like it was yesterday and today that you don't see any of the horrible little anti-social thugs? It seems that they do in fact have other ways to get around so we can add telling little porkies to their list of crimes.
*another anon  23-Aug-2010 23:09

 
Used to be a cyclist...

If Kathleen W's presence in the world is "proof" that pavement cycling is not all that dangerous then doesn't the fact that you are still with us and say that you always cycle in the road prove that pavement cyclists grossly overstate the dangers of cycling in the road and there is therefore no justification for pavement cycling?

Not being dead does not mean that she was not injured or made to feel very frightened and anxious for the rest of her life whenever she goes out after the attack ( I refuse to call it an accident ). When a thug on a bike slams into you , it hurts like hell. It is a crime and should be treated as such.
*another anon  14-Aug-2010 12:11

 
Well the "Cyclists Dismount" sign seems fairly clear, but the other sign - what does it mean?
The trouble is that the other sign 'a picture of a bike with a red line through it ' is NOT AUTHORISED and is therefore very confusing.
AFAIK, the ONLY authorised specific 'no cycling' sign is a white circular sign with a black bicycle with a red border - but without the red line through the bike. One could argue that the sign you described actually permits cycling. If these signs are mounted on different posts, the latter one could be argue to reverse the meaning of the previous one.

http://preview.tinyurl.com/Road-signs-orders
*Used to be 'Cyclist', but someone stole my ID  14-Aug-2010 11:23

 
Well the "Cyclists Dismount" sign seems fairly clear, but the other sign - what does it mean?
The trouble is that the other sign 'a picture of a bike with a red line through it ' is NOT AUTHORISED and is therefore very confusing.
AFAIK, the ONLY authorised specific 'no cycling' sign is a white circular sign with a black bicycle with a red border - but without the red line through the bike. One could argue that the sign you described actually permits cycling. If these signs are mounted on different posts, the latter one could be argue to reverse the meaning of the previous one.

http://preview.tinyurl.com/Road-signs-orders
*Used to be 'Cyclist', but someone stole my ID  14-Aug-2010 10:25

 
Kathleen W,

It is is most unfortunate that you have been hit by cyclists, but you would are living proof that the danger from cyclists is low, otherwise you wouldn't be posting here.
*Used to be 'Cyclist', but someone stole my ID  14-Aug-2010 10:12

 
Kathleen W,

I cycle regularly and do not like pavement cyclists, in-fact, I often berate cyclists who demonstrate this behaviour. I also do not like other irresponsible actions by cyclists, pedestrians and motorists.

The statistics make it very clear that pedestrians are far more likely to be ki11ed or seriously injured while on the pavement by a motorist than a cyclist.
I am not trying to justify pavement cycling, but merely pointing-out that the level of risk posed by such activity is pretty low. The primary danger to all road users is motor vehicles, and excessive speed.

Quote
The figures show that, in London during the period 2001-05:
There were 101 times as many reported pedestrian injuries due to collisions with motor vehicles than with pedal cycles (there were 34,791 pedestrian injuries involving motor vehicles, compared with 331 involving cycles).
Motor vehicles were involved in 126 times as many fatal and serious pedestrian injuries as cycles (there were 7,447 fatal and serious injuries involving motor vehicles compared with 59 involving cycles).
534 pedestrians were ki11ed in collisions with motor vehicles, compared with just one ki11ed in collision with a cycle. that one fatal collision with a cycle occurred NEITHER ON A PAVEMENT NOR A PEDESTRIAN CROSSING POINT.
Even on the PAVEMENT, there were 2,197 reported pedestrian injuries arising from collisions with MOTOR VEHICLES, including 17 fatalities. These injuries outnumbered those involving cycles by a factor of 42 to 1.
The total number of reported pedestrian injuries in London due to collisions with CYCLISTS on PAVEMENTS was just 65 in the year 2001, and 69 in 2005. In the meantime, the figure went down, up and back down again, showing no clear overall trend. This was despite a 72% increase in cycle use over the period.
Endquote
http://www.ctc.org.uk/resources/press_archive/share_the_road1.doc
*Used to be 'Cyclist', but someone stole my ID  14-Aug-2010 10:11

 
Human Being

Q. What is the chance of a car driver deciding to make his 3 mile commute to work or college entirely on the pavement?

A. It has never happened or it would have been on the news.


Q. What is the chance of a cyclist deciding to make his 3 mile commute entirely on the pavement?

A. It happens every day in every town and city in the country


I do know my "enemy" as you phrase it. I have never been hit by a car on the pavement but I have been hit by cyclists on the pavement.
*Kathleen W  12-Aug-2010 18:21

 
Please wake up and know your enemy!
What is the probability of a cyclist killing a pedestrian - Extremely Low.
What is the probability of a car/lorry killing a cyclist or pedestrian - Very High.
There are inconsiderate cyclists, drivers and pedestrians. Where there are spaces reserved for one group, respect those spaces, don't drive your car on the pavement or cycle lane, or walk or cycle on the motorway. Similarly if spaces are shared, show consideration for and awareness of the other users.
I have 2 feet and I walk, but I also have and use in fairly equal amounts a cycle, motorscooter, car, motorboat and sailboat. I try to be considerate of all others, but being a Grumpy Old Man, occasionaly swear at those who are less considerate.
*Human Being  12-Aug-2010 14:20

 
Dear (Mr) Sandman send me a dream........ etc. No, that's not it at all, start again....... I completely agree with your comments. It is usual for those who feel 'greatly put upon' to become so concentrated upon their own particular 'hurt' that they have no sense at all of the 'hurt' that they inflict upon others in their attempts to avoid it. 'Pleasant' doesn't seem to be an option where self interest is concerned. I too would dearly like to hear the self justification of the careless cyclist. I would also like to hear any justification that 'the powers that be' have for bringing cyclists legally into contact with pedestrians partaking of quiet ramblings on footpath and trail. The dangers are evident. As for shopping precincts and town footpaths..... well!! How disgraceful is that? And yes! I drive cars/motorbikes and ride a bicycle but: walking is best. Come on folks!! I'm 74 and getting a bit mutt and Jeff/ arthritic etc. I'm told it doesn't get any better from now on in! AND I shrink from aggro!
*RoyPierre  10-Aug-2010 23:53

 
Look at the video clip in the middle of this blog page extolling the glory that is cycling in Holland.

Note that although the cyclists have their own specially - and probably expensively - built two lane path, totally free of cars, they still cycle over, across and along the pedestrians area. They cannot be bothered to dismount even to go a few metres to the cycle racks! The more you give cycists , the more they take it for granted and want more.

This is what the "cycling revolution" means. Money is taken from everyone's taxes and spent on cyclists while pedestrians have all their rights taken away , apart from the right to jump out of the way if they don't want to be hurt.

http://ibikelondon.blogspot.com/2010/07/letting-their-kids-cycle-report-them-to.html
*Fed up pedestrian  11-Jul-2010 16:01

 
To the idiot adult male cyclist riding on the pavement past Bodgers department store in Ilford.

There you were in your ridiculous gear; your little helmet on in case you hurt yourself if you hit any small children or old people while cycling illegally on the pavement, big protective goggles and your dinky little mask in case you should breathe in anything toxic.

Well, you were well protected against us , the innocent public, but who is going to protect us against you the anti-social, completely unidentifiable and untouchable pavement cycling thug? Certainly the police are doing nothing and this government seems as bad as the last one in treating cyclists as something between an eco warrior and Mother Theresa.
*Anti pavement cyclist  17-Jun-2010 21:05


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