Cycling on the pavement
Discussion
Apparently, cycling on the pavement is illegal. I know this because I've just phoned my local police station to check. It's a contravention of S72 of the Highways Act.
Why did I bother finding out?
Well, I was minding my own business outside a car dealer's when a WPC came dawdling by on her mountain bike, fully decked-out in flourescents. It's only a back street, so the road wasn't busy.
"Excuse me," I said politely.
She stopped and waited for me to continue.
"Why are you cycling on the pavement?" I asked.
"Because it's safer than the roads," she replied.
"But it's illegal," I pointed out. I wasn't sure, but I knew it was at least in breach of the Highway Code.
"No it isn't."
"Can I take your number, please," I asked.
At that, she started cycling away. Fortunately, I used to do the odd bit of fell running. She wasn't far before I'd got her number...
Now, I'm not deliberately causing aggro. I'm a cyclist. And I'm sick of nearly getting mown down by bicycles in a town with brilliant cycle paths that even Plods don't use.
What hope have the dumb public got when this is the example they have to follow?
Why did I bother finding out?
Well, I was minding my own business outside a car dealer's when a WPC came dawdling by on her mountain bike, fully decked-out in flourescents. It's only a back street, so the road wasn't busy.
"Excuse me," I said politely.
She stopped and waited for me to continue.
"Why are you cycling on the pavement?" I asked.
"Because it's safer than the roads," she replied.
"But it's illegal," I pointed out. I wasn't sure, but I knew it was at least in breach of the Highway Code.
"No it isn't."
"Can I take your number, please," I asked.
At that, she started cycling away. Fortunately, I used to do the odd bit of fell running. She wasn't far before I'd got her number...
Now, I'm not deliberately causing aggro. I'm a cyclist. And I'm sick of nearly getting mown down by bicycles in a town with brilliant cycle paths that even Plods don't use.
What hope have the dumb public got when this is the example they have to follow?
Will Crash said:
At least there was a BIB out on the beat...lets appalaud that instead of being rather bloody minded.
Bloody minded? You don't know the half of it. Have a rummage through my previous posts to get some idea of the level of policing in Cambridgeshire.
How can a BiB who's ignorant of the law even begin to uphold the law?
Spoonman said:
Well, I was minding my own business outside a car dealer's when a WPC came dawdling by on her mountain bike, fully decked-out in flourescents.
And I'm sick of nearly getting mown down by bicycles in a town with brilliant cycle paths that even Plods don't use.
I'm confused. Were you nearly mown down by a dawdling cyclist? You can't have it both ways, either it was dangerous or else, what are you complaining of?
It seems to me that if there is a law against it most people seem to think it is wrong per se but there are thousands of old statutes in existance that should only be used when appropriate. For instance, did you know it is an offence to have a dirty bus on the road? What would you say if you were on one and a PC directed the driver to disgorge all passengers and return to the depot for cleaning?
If the cyclist was causing no problems, was a danger to no one and did not cause an unnecessary obstruction, then what's the problem?
If you had parked your car on a road not in a prescribed parking bay in order to visit the car showroom, you caused an unnecesary obstruction. I bet you'd have been a bit miffed if you had returned to find it ticketed by this police officer even if she had been riding in the road.
Bluebottle, 
I said: "And I'm sick of nearly getting mown down by bicycles in a town with brilliant cycle paths that even Plods don't use.
What hope have the dumb public got when this is the example they have to follow?"
Get it now?
If you don't think pavement-bound cyclists are dangerous, you obviously need to get out of your car and walk more often.
Even with a huge yellow jacket, a grown woman on a large bicycle is a danger to anyone on the footpath. Imagine some little old lady walking out of her front garden – would she be able to swerve out of the way fast enough? No.
Plus, my cars are always getting parking tickets – when I leave them outside my own garage to stop other cars obstructing it. I've become used to it. That's what local BiB would prefer to spend their time doing.
And as for riding on a bus, what kind of scum do you think I am..?
I said: "And I'm sick of nearly getting mown down by bicycles in a town with brilliant cycle paths that even Plods don't use.
What hope have the dumb public got when this is the example they have to follow?"
Get it now?
If you don't think pavement-bound cyclists are dangerous, you obviously need to get out of your car and walk more often.
Even with a huge yellow jacket, a grown woman on a large bicycle is a danger to anyone on the footpath. Imagine some little old lady walking out of her front garden – would she be able to swerve out of the way fast enough? No.
Plus, my cars are always getting parking tickets – when I leave them outside my own garage to stop other cars obstructing it. I've become used to it. That's what local BiB would prefer to spend their time doing.
And as for riding on a bus, what kind of scum do you think I am..?
Nah, not worth making a formal complaint. I just had a word with someone at the station, who'll have a word with her (and I know he will).
As long as she's a little more aware of this country's laws I'll be happy.
Besides, I've wasted my time with the PCA before. Funny how professional standards departments don't manage to get hold of CCTV footage, ain't it.
As long as she's a little more aware of this country's laws I'll be happy.
Besides, I've wasted my time with the PCA before. Funny how professional standards departments don't manage to get hold of CCTV footage, ain't it.
Spoonman said:
If you don't think pavement-bound cyclists are dangerous, you obviously need to get out of your car and walk more often.
Even with a huge yellow jacket, a grown woman on a large bicycle is a danger to anyone on the footpath. Imagine some little old lady walking out of her front garden – would she be able to swerve out of the way fast enough? No.
Most other countries allow cycling on the footway and yet still seem to have their full quota of the aged. A sensibly riden bicycle on the footway is less danger to pedestrians than cars are to cyclists on a road.
The question is, was there any danger or inconvenience caused by this cyclist. If so then the officer should be disciplined. If no, then what is your beef? If danger is caused by one driver going at 40 mph, should all limits be dropped to 20?. I cycle around 70 miles a week on bridleways, where there often are pedestrians, and guess how many I have killed, maimed or injured during the last four years.
1888, that's when the legislation was passed that forbade cycling on the footway. That was because of the danger associated with Ordinary cycles, penny farthings, and the fact that there were very few pavements in any case. The situation nowadays is entirely different.
I can`t believe the complete tat that is going on here...so the Old Bill are riding on the pavement..at least they`re not sat behind a desk, they`re out and about and how do members of the public show their support, by chasing them down the street demanding their shoulder numbers....excellent I`ll bet that will get more Police on the beat on cycles.
I wonder how many of you would step in and stop a real crime in progress....or would you leave that to the beat bobby who may be cycling on the pavement.....???
I wonder how many of you would step in and stop a real crime in progress....or would you leave that to the beat bobby who may be cycling on the pavement.....???
Spoonman said:
Nah, not worth making a formal complaint. I just had a word with someone at the station, who'll have a word with her (and I know he will).
As long as she's a little more aware of this country's laws I'll be happy.
Besides, I've wasted my time with the PCA before. Funny how professional standards departments don't manage to get hold of CCTV footage, ain't it.
yep so you joined the club of finding out how bent the PCA is then.
Will Crash said:
I can`t believe the complete tat that is going on here...so the Old Bill are riding on the pavement..at least they`re not sat behind a desk, they`re out and about and how do members of the public show their support, by chasing them down the street demanding their shoulder numbers....excellent I`ll bet that will get more Police on the beat on cycles.
I wonder how many of you would step in and stop a real crime in progress....or would you leave that to the beat bobby who may be cycling on the pavement.....???
I agree, we need to have a bit of give an take here. If Police riding on the pavement is ok, they shouldn't mind if I speed as long as I don't hurt anyone?
I can clearly remember being stopped by a BIB for riding on the pavement outside my house when I was 13. My first ever encounter with the Police.
Fellow cyclist here...
Uhm ... sanity check ... asking a WPC not to ride on the pavements is not a call for anarchy, desk-bound Bibs, the collapse of civil liberties or the unlawful deflation of a bicycle tyre.
It is OK to criticise a Police Constable when they are in the wrong. With a position of responsibility comes a DUTY to set a good example. When in uniform they must attempt to behave better than Joe Average. Don't like it? Then get another job. Unlike footballers and pop stars, the Police ARE paid to be role models.
There is no need to cycle on pavements. Therefore don't do it. If you feel frightened on the road, then learn to ride properly. If you take sensible precautions you're fine (e.g. wear clothes that make you visible and some proper high visibility stuff too, have lights that work, signal clearly, use eye contact with drivers, blah, blah, blah).
If you've got a problem cycling on the road, why on earth should you inflict that problem on pedestrians? Deal with it yourself.
Uhm ... sanity check ... asking a WPC not to ride on the pavements is not a call for anarchy, desk-bound Bibs, the collapse of civil liberties or the unlawful deflation of a bicycle tyre.
It is OK to criticise a Police Constable when they are in the wrong. With a position of responsibility comes a DUTY to set a good example. When in uniform they must attempt to behave better than Joe Average. Don't like it? Then get another job. Unlike footballers and pop stars, the Police ARE paid to be role models.
There is no need to cycle on pavements. Therefore don't do it. If you feel frightened on the road, then learn to ride properly. If you take sensible precautions you're fine (e.g. wear clothes that make you visible and some proper high visibility stuff too, have lights that work, signal clearly, use eye contact with drivers, blah, blah, blah).
If you've got a problem cycling on the road, why on earth should you inflict that problem on pedestrians? Deal with it yourself.
I somehow dont think the public would be bothered about a minor BiB cycling problem if the powers that be stopped being bothered about every time mr motorist goes .0005mph over the speed limit...
As has been said before, not BiB individuals fault but the police are given a bad image by nitpicking at motorists so the public are nitpicking back.
As has been said before, not BiB individuals fault but the police are given a bad image by nitpicking at motorists so the public are nitpicking back.
the bib have a hard enough time, as it is but if the likes of will crash in the camera van are going to preach safety, then you should expect to be criticised for minor points when ordinary motorists are continually criticised for minor offences, i quite often encounter police who have little knowledge of firearms regs,but you make allowances!
Sorry about this, but I really feel the need to contribute to this one !!:-
I admit it. I am a social pariah. I drive a car, I smoke, I have dogs who are not immune to having bowel actions in public places now and again, and I frequently ride a bike. Sometimes on a footpath ……
This thread is under the heading "speeding, plod and the law." The section of the forum where many of us frequently moan about over-zealous enforcement of speed limits, where people frequently have the miseries about obeying those speed limits (and, perhaps, frequently ignore them) but, here we are, now having a go at a WPC who rode her bike on the pavement???!!! We also read that she thought she had a justification - see below:
"Why are you cycling on the pavement?" I asked.
"Because it's safer than the roads," she replied.
"But it's illegal," I pointed out. I wasn't sure, but I knew it was at least in breach of the Highway Code.
So is speeding, but I hazard a guess that many of us would like to take issue with the law in some circumstances !! It is a little difficult to "square the circle" of suggesting that certain laws are "there for interpretation" and others aren’t - simply on the basis of one’s own personal views on the matter in hand.
I am always a little concerned when I read such statements as: "I'm sick of nearly getting mown down by bicycles in a town with brilliant cycle paths." So, you’ve not exactly been "mown down" then?? Only "nearly?" How near was "nearly?" Was the cyclist or cyclists in control of his/her machine at the time? Was there actually a physical danger in these incidents or are you exaggerating the point to attempt to prove it?
Unfortunately, this is exactly the same sort of argument that the "tree huggers" put forward for reducing speed limits (eg. I was "nearly" mown down by a car travelling too fast" etc etc …) Many of us feel that we can drive a coach and horses through that particular line of argument.
No doubt there will be one or two further views on the matter !!!
I admit it. I am a social pariah. I drive a car, I smoke, I have dogs who are not immune to having bowel actions in public places now and again, and I frequently ride a bike. Sometimes on a footpath ……
This thread is under the heading "speeding, plod and the law." The section of the forum where many of us frequently moan about over-zealous enforcement of speed limits, where people frequently have the miseries about obeying those speed limits (and, perhaps, frequently ignore them) but, here we are, now having a go at a WPC who rode her bike on the pavement???!!! We also read that she thought she had a justification - see below:
"Why are you cycling on the pavement?" I asked.
"Because it's safer than the roads," she replied.
"But it's illegal," I pointed out. I wasn't sure, but I knew it was at least in breach of the Highway Code.
So is speeding, but I hazard a guess that many of us would like to take issue with the law in some circumstances !! It is a little difficult to "square the circle" of suggesting that certain laws are "there for interpretation" and others aren’t - simply on the basis of one’s own personal views on the matter in hand.
I am always a little concerned when I read such statements as: "I'm sick of nearly getting mown down by bicycles in a town with brilliant cycle paths." So, you’ve not exactly been "mown down" then?? Only "nearly?" How near was "nearly?" Was the cyclist or cyclists in control of his/her machine at the time? Was there actually a physical danger in these incidents or are you exaggerating the point to attempt to prove it?
Unfortunately, this is exactly the same sort of argument that the "tree huggers" put forward for reducing speed limits (eg. I was "nearly" mown down by a car travelling too fast" etc etc …) Many of us feel that we can drive a coach and horses through that particular line of argument.
No doubt there will be one or two further views on the matter !!!
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