Cycling on the pavement

[jimbo1964]

I find it amazing that this ridiculous cycle path on Rye Lane was ever given the go-ahead. At least make it blue or green (like most cycle lanes) so the difference is obvious. It's just dangerous for everyone.

[JohnL]

Even walking up Rye Lane you find many obstacles - crates, drain hoses etc.

I saw someone clouted by a bus wing mirror the other day

jimbo1964 Wrote:

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> I find it amazing that this ridiculous cycle path

> on Rye Lane was ever given the go-ahead. At least

> make it blue or green (like most cycle lanes) so

> the difference is obvious. It's just dangerous for

> everyone.

[Zebedee Tring]

I couldn't have put this better myself. "Care and courtesy" are concepts that, sadly, many cyclists ignore when dealing with pedestrians - those same cyclists then complain vociferously when they are treated badly by motorists. Methinks a case of double standards on their part.

[henryb]

I couldn't have put this better myself. "Care and courtesy" are concepts that, sadly, many pedestrians ignore when dealing with cyclists - those same pedestrians then complain vociferously when they are treated badly by motorists. Methinks a case of double standards on their part.

There fixed your post for you.

[binary_star]

bawdy-nan Wrote:

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> really sorry to hear that fjd - the thing is that

> the cyclist shouldn't have been going so fast as

> the key word is shared. Must have been very

> shocking. Hope you're ok.

This is the problem with the Rye lane cycle path, it's actually not 'shared' at all it's a cycle path right next to a footpath. I have almost collided so many times with pedestrians on this stretch I avoid it. You can't really use it at all because it looks so much like the pavement a lot of pedestrians have no idea it's there. Even if you're cycling reaaaaally slowly you're still going about 2-3 times as fast as pedestrians (or else may as well get off and walk) so still a hazard. Total waste of money imo.

[Zebedee Tring]

There was no need for you to "fix" my post, henryb or (as I would prefer to describe it) plagiarise it. I am sure that you were perfectly capable of composing your own anti-pedestrian post in your own style.

[Penguin68]

Posted in error

[jimbo1964]

The problem with these threads is they're all 'anti' one group or another depending on what particular axe you have to grind.. so they go on and on and on ....

[Millhaven]

But people like me that are late to the party miss out.

ho hum.

Can soneone let me know next time someone gets knocked off their bike through their own rank stupidity please?

[LadyDeliah]

As Binary Star says, it is not shared use, it is a cycle path between the road and the pavement. It is not clearly marked but it's a contra flow for bikes.

Pedestrians walking on it do not just walk there for a second, many walk along the length of it because they are either unaware that it's a cycle path, or don't care that it's a cycle path.

I use it fairly frequently because the alternative is a lot more inconvenient, but the lack of thought that went into this cycle lane is astonishing. There should be some kind of Damned Designs forum for huge wastes of tax payers money like this.

[first mate]

Perhaps some grafitti artist could go and spray 'cycle route' repeatedly down the middle of it one night. Would that help?

[LadyDeliah]

Maybe cycle versions of the dog poo stencils.

[titch juicy]

I would like pubs and bars to be made responsible for clearing the gutters of any broken glass swept in by outside drinkers.

[davidh]

I was bending over to look in a shop window on lordship lane a few months ago when a child on a bike rode into me. I ticked him off and his father came up and shouted at me to "look where you are effing going". funny old world

[Zebedee Tring]

When I read about parents like that I despair. What message are they sending to the next generation on how they should treat their fellow citizens?

[dds29]

Hooray! Thanks finally for recognising the increase in cyclists riding on the pavement, and having community wardens patrolling. As with most incidences of this kind, there's a sheep mentality here; as people are seen doing it apparently without being challenged, more join in.

On Saturday there was a cycle event in Hyde Park, with a notice outside the gate 'cyclists dismount.' I was waiting at a bus stop nearby when a cyclist rode through the queue on the pavement narrowly missing an elderly lady who had just alighted from a bus. She said 'sorry'...!! He rode on oblivious.

It begs the question. Do they know it's illegal? Those that do it seem to have assumed they have a right to the pavement and the road.

[Earl Aelfheah]

Is there an increase in people riding on the pavements? I haven't noticed it.

[Zebedee Tring]

Since the law prohibiting cycling on the pavement is rarely, if ever, enforced, it's not surprising that some cyclists feel that they can cycle where they like. If the Old Bill actually prosecuted a few offenders, then things might change.

[henryb]

I believe the guideline to the police from the Home Office is to use discrection.

"The introduction of the fixed penalty is not aimed at responsible cyclists who sometimes feel obliged to use the pavement out of fear of traffic and who show consideration to other pavement users when doing so. Chief police officers, who are responsible for enforcement, acknowledge that many cyclists, particularly children and young people, are afraid to cycle on the road, sensitivity and careful use of police discretion is required."

[Millhaven]

henryb Wrote:

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> I believe the guideline to the police from the

> Home Office is to use discrection.

>

> "The introduction of the fixed penalty is not

> aimed at responsible cyclists who sometimes feel

> obliged to use the pavement out of fear of traffic

> and who show consideration to other pavement users

> when doing so. Chief police officers, who are

> responsible for enforcement, acknowledge that many

> cyclists, particularly children and young people,

> are afraid to cycle on the road, sensitivity and

> careful use of police discretion is required."

So basically the Home Office is telling people to use their common sense. Sadly that appears to be in short supply.

[KidKruger]

I some time ride on the pavement from Whately Rd (where Bells is) to Cafe Noodle, about 50 feet. I do it 'side saddle' so I cannot pedal and I just use the momentum i got form crusing down Whateley. However, it's a wide stretch of road and it's always evening, when I'm picking-up some Chinese food. I do check for pedestrians.

I feel better for having confessed this.

[LadyNorwood]

I've had enough - cycling on the pavement is illegal, whether the cyclist is being 'considerate', is 'too frightened to ride on a public road' and all the other blah blah blah hand-wringing excuses..... It's illegal and that's that.... I will no longer (ON A DAILY BASIS) be complacent and be intimidated by, sworn at, spat at, threatened with violence by pavement cyclists - I will take your photograph and give it to the police, I HAVE HAD ENOUGH....

[snowy]

What about a child under the legal age of responsibility - how do you propose prosecuting them.

It seems that pedestrians and cyclists, who are also conveniently pedestrians should wheely raleigh together, spoke out and not saddle for anything less than a reprioritisation of road and pavement use.

Im sorry that you Felt you have experienced abuse and intimidation. Alas the police will do nothing with your photographic evidence. They have different priorities and dont give a 1/8th or a 3/32th about minor infringements, let alone evidence of using a vehicle as a weapon.

Im also sorry I have failed to squeeze neither nipple, flange or bottom bracket into this post, but I am quite tyred.

[binary_star]

LadyNorwood Wrote:

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> I've had enough - cycling on the pavement is

> illegal, whether the cyclist is being

> 'considerate', is 'too frightened to ride on a

> public road' and all the other blah blah blah

> hand-wringing excuses..... It's illegal and

> that's that.... I will no longer (ON A DAILY

> BASIS) be complacent and be intimidated by, sworn

> at, spat at, threatened with violence by pavement

> cyclists - I will take your photograph and give it

> to the police, I HAVE HAD ENOUGH....

Let us know how you get on...

[LadyDeliah]

Anyone calling troll on these?