Cyclists riding on pavements a danger to pedestrians

1116 comments  Add a comment

Why do some cyclists think that they are exempt from the rules of the highway code?  Should they be treated differently because the bike doesn't have an engine?

I am talking specifically about those cyclists that feel the need to ride on the pavement instead of the cycle paths and roads.  Don't get me wrong, I can fully appreciate that the roads can be very dangerous and some car drivers can be extremely selfish when it comes to bikes, but that is no excuse for putting pedestrians in a dangerous situation.

Riding without lights at night, side by side

The rules of the highway code apply to "all road users" and are there for our safety as well as the safety of other road users.  Cyclists are unique in that they are unlicensed and there is no legal requirement to have insurance, they therefore should be expected to behave in a responsible manner for this privilege.

Riding on the pavements, riding without lights at night and side by side in the road is not exactly what I would call responsible.  These are the kind of actions that lead to accidents and possible injury to pedestrians and cyclists need to be made aware of the fact that they are sitting on a machine that can travel at speed and can cause harm.  I'd say riding a bike on the pavement is totally irresponsible and shows how much the cyclist in question cares about the safety of others.

No one wants to restrict the freedom of those who ride bikes, they are after all a great benefit to people and the environment.  We do however want to see a more safety conscious attitude from cyclists and less accidents involving pedestrians.

Leave a comment

First Prev 1/75 Next Last

-- sort order --Recent firstOldest firstAuthor

Fed up Newham resident

When is something going to be done about pavement cyclists? In Newham it's rife. From booted and suited cyclists to food delivery cyclists, Even where there are cycle lanes, like the ones on Centre Road, you get people cycling on the pavement. It also doesn't help where you find the pavement, cycle lane and road are all on the same level. For the pedestrian in Newham walking is now a nightmare. As for those who ring their bell for you to get out of the way.....

18/05 Fed up Newham resident

0

Newham Resident

You get a number of cyclists and scooter users who think they have priority when riding in the pavement at speed. They are happy enough to brush past you, cause you to quickly step out of the way and at times shout at you for being in their way. Lawlessness on the pavements now. Even had both a cyclist and a scooter who almost hit us and our dog. Wife had a close call when crossing the road when a cyclist decided he had the right of way almost hitting her.

07/01/23 Newham Resident

1

Scotty

We have a bigger problem that cyclists now. Electric scooters are all over the place, literally. An accident waiting to happen.

23/08/22 Scotty

4

Birdseye

It's bad enough they ride on pavements and through pedestrianised areas but they think it's o.k to go as fast as they can, weaving in and out of people with pushchairs and dogs etc.

11/08/22 Birdseye

2

Rob

I got hit by a cyclist in Poland last week. I was walking on the pavement. I think there should be special places for pedestrians as well as cyclists. Have injuries to arm and legs.

25/06/22 Rob

0

Jethro

@Aly larke, Take a walking stick with you, or a long walking staff. I'll leave the rest of what to do to you.

05/03/22 Jethro

3

Aly larke

I was walking home from work and a cyclist knocked my arm with the handle bar it's hurting the just cyclist just kept going I call it hit and run this is in Shrewsbury I'm not very happy an nothing gets done

03/03/22 Aly larke

4

Sue

In Newham cycling on the pavement is a growing problem. In addition we now have cargo bikes and scooters to contend with. The LTN scheme has not helped as I suspect more cars have been pushed onto the main roads which cause nervous cyclists to use the pavements. Can't walk in peace anymore.

30/11/20 Sue

5

PedestrianRichard

I agree, and you will note that each and every one of them is arrogant. Above the law which leads you to realise that they are total douchebags in every other area of their lives.

Laws are on the cards to protect cyclists....legislation to protect the unregulated. Bonkers....total lunacy

01/05/20 PedestrianRichard

1

stevietheb

I was walking (facing the traffic) on the (no cycling) pavement of a very busy road. The pavement was probably around 125cm wide. Looking to cross the road (as pedestrians are known to do), had I actually moved towards the kerb around 2 seconds earlier, I would have been involved in a life-changing accident. As it was, the cyclist behind me (she had a helmet and of course, I did not) just managed to squeeze past between me and road. She was clad in lycra and going at some speed and muttered "sorry" as she disappeared.

Surely if cyclists are going to break the law, they should at least have an obligation to warn of their presence in advance (bell, horn whatever - and if such an item is not obligatory, it should be!) In addition, they should be advised to overtake furthest away from the road and thus on the inside of the pavement. These things are so basic that even if they're knowingly breaking the (un-enforced) law, it needs to somehow be made obligatory for cyclists to be aware of the consequences of their thoughtlessness.

06/07/19 stevietheb

6

Freewheeler

"Cyclists riding on pavements a danger to pedestrians" - It's so incredibly dangerous to mix cyclists with pedestrians that councils crack down on this incredibly dangerous activity it by legalising it when they create shared paths.

There you have it, this myth is busted officially.

Of course, the reality is that pavement cycling is undesirable - to both cyclists and pedestrians, but councils couldn't care-less.

19/11/15 Freewheeler

4

Jethro

@what do you get from this? Your question should not be Why?, rather WTF?

19/10/14 Jethro

0

what do you get from this?

Collar - why ?

19/10/14 what do you get from this?

0

collar

Personally, I think all 'cyclists' over the drink-drive limit should have to re-take a test at least every five years, perhaps at a premium rate. My Granddad fought for his country and two 'cyclist' neighbors who are 19 and 85 are both fit to drive a car but choose to bicycle, this can't be good for them medically and mentally. They still insist on push-bicycling so the family are going to keep an eye out for Old Granddad and they will know when they are ready to STOP push-bicycling and hopefully leave Old Granddad in peace forever. I think that is what nice neighbor should do. If a pensioner can ride the push-bicycle miles way down a freeway or ride into the middle of next week, then he is avoiding paying petrol duty in a petrol forecourt, they could just as easily drive a motor car over a bike, someone’s pride and joy. Hopefully this won’t happen to anyone you know.

19/10/14 collar

1

SallyB

I agree - the cycle lane is right next to the pavement and is not clearly marked. I've almost been hit a couple of times in Amsterdam. The cyclists were going really fast in a tourist area where many visitors were not at all sure where to walk. Accident waiting to happen.

17/10/14 SallyB

2

First Prev 1/75 Next Last

-- sort order --Recent firstOldest firstAuthor