Login   |   Register   |   

Push bikes on footpaths

Started by: xrh59 (inactive)

Don't know if i'm turning into a grumpy owd sod but when did it become legal to ride your bike on the flags,I'm not just talking about kids but adults dressed like they are going to do a marathon bike ride,long socks water proof jackets rolls on thier backs, and after they have almost flattend you or made elderly folk move into the road onto oncoming traffic you see them in the supermarket or the chippy,STOP IT GET IN THE ROAD(please)

Started: 31st Aug 2006 at 21:52

Posted by: mollie m (7076) 

Hello xrh59. (Strange name). It isn't legal to ride a bike on the footpath. One nearly downed me the other day as I was walking from work across the pavement to my car. The kid came screaming round the corner at an estimated 300 mph. I may be 56 but luckily I'm pretty nimble so I got out of the way, yelled at him, he turned round to look at me or give me a mouthful, I don't know which, then fell off his bike. Poetic justice wouldn't you say? P'raps I'm a grumpy owd sod as well but I think all bike riders should go through some sort of test and learn the rules of the road like a motorised vehicle driver. In the 50s the Police ran such courses and most parents made their kids go. Times have changed haven't they?

Replied: 31st Aug 2006 at 22:01

Posted by: aitch (5487) 

Today in our street there were 18 kids playing on their bikes, Now we are on a bus route and these kids are practising riding baht hands, a few have fowd off,serves um reet but my point is the mother of one of them was stood there watching them all,but is the first to complain if any of them are hurt,by the way the eldest of these children is about 10 or 11, but this lady encourages them to stay in the road and all traffic has to slow down for these babies

Replied: 31st Aug 2006 at 22:11

Posted by: xrh59 (inactive)

Hello Mollie, Don't know about them going through a test i would put them through the car wash at morrisons just to wake the buggers up and be a bit more thoughtfull to others.

Replied: 31st Aug 2006 at 22:19

Posted by: disco_diva (inactive)

I hope i dont offend but people on those motorised disabled scooters drive me up the wall. To drive one people should require a licence.

Replied: 31st Aug 2006 at 22:22

Posted by: xrh59 (inactive)

Hey up disco, wev'e got one near us we call her Mrs moss cos she drives it like thier Sterling,she's always trying to race the bus up darlington street she comes at you doing some speed and you don't get the bennifit of clergy or nowt if your there she will have you.

Replied: 31st Aug 2006 at 22:35

Posted by: disco_diva (inactive)

X,She sounds dangerous!
Is it me or does there seem to be loads of them(disabled scooter things) about?

Replied: 31st Aug 2006 at 22:38

Posted by: xrh59 (inactive)

Disco, they are every where do you think it's owt to do with the ale in wigan.(only kidding don't want to offend)

Replied: 31st Aug 2006 at 22:42

Posted by: aitch (5487) 

You are right there does seem to be more and more of them, brilliant if used as they should be, but when abused and take my word there are plenty people using them who have no claim to, it makes a mockery of the whole disability mobility scheme. How many do you see parked outside of pubs I have a neighbour who turns out every day about 11.30 and then you will see his scooter parked outside of numerous pubs ,if it was me I would get breathalised but because its a scooter no one bothers.

Replied: 31st Aug 2006 at 22:47

Posted by: xrh59 (inactive)

.

Replied: 31st Aug 2006 at 22:52
Last edited by xrh59: 19th Jun 2007 at 02:33:24

Posted by: aitch (5487) 

xrh sorry if im intruding ,but that wouldnt be the 10th Royal Hussars by any chance would it.

Replied: 31st Aug 2006 at 23:03

Posted by: neverstill (inactive)

when me and my kids cycle to school, i make my kids ride on the path (they do know to slow down if some one there)
Why? because my kids and me were nearly knocked down twice in july....because when all is said and done motorists do not look out for bikes. my youngest was nearly backed over by a car outside another school because the woman just jumped in the car and reversed...didnt even look and she was leaving her kids school...any number of kids could have been behind her, never mind some one on a bike.

Replied: 1st Sep 2006 at 06:45

Posted by: mollie m (7076) 

Only just seen your post xrh59 but I knew straight away when you mentioned regiment that it was 10 RH. I've worked with members of the Royal Hussars in the past when I was still with hubby who was in the Army. Problem with your statement Neverstill is that a bike is a vehicle, like any other, and is subject to rules of the road. A pavement is for pedestrians and road is for wheels. I take your point about motorists although I am one of those who have great respect for those on two wheels and give them a wide berth. Not all pedestrians are quick to jump out of the way and if a child runs into an old or infirm person and injures them then the child's parents are liable - I bet there's not many parents insure their kids and their bikes.

Replied: 1st Sep 2006 at 09:23

Posted by: xrh59 (inactive)

Mollie and aitch,yes it is the 10th Royal Hussars spot on.

Replied: 1st Sep 2006 at 10:02

Posted by: xrh59 (inactive)

Hi neverstill, i do know how you feel about your kids and you want them safe but bikes should be on the road and yes you are right about motorists not being more aware,but i and my family want to be safe on the pavement to.

Replied: 1st Sep 2006 at 10:11

Posted by: empress (9667) 

Most countries have cycle lanes, and there are more being introduced over here.I don't mind kids on bikes as long as they have a bell to warn me before mowing me down hehe, I'd rather them be safe on a pavement than be hit by a car. As long as they are taught to ride safely there shouldn't be a problem.
As for disability scooters, I am a carer, I take a lady out who uses one and I can't keep up with her, they should be made to go at walkin pace only. They are heavy and can really cause a bad injury. The speed she can reach on hers in unreal, if I ran up and down a town centre street at that speed I would bump into someone.She is also like many under the impression that us walkers are psychic, we don;t see them coming from behind yet she yells for folk to move at the last minute.

Replied: 1st Sep 2006 at 12:26

Posted by: neverstill (inactive)

there are laws about bikes on paths i think as long as the wheels are under 26 inch its allowed...have to look it up not sure!
i knocked some ones door mirror off a while back beacuse they pulled up at lights and moved too far over to the curb, and they banged into me...if that was my daughter (helmet or not) it would have caught her in the head and done some harm, and thats when they stop so god help us when they moving.
I used to drive to school but we enjoy the time we have cycling,we can stop and look at stuff like boats on the canal or maybe just a catapillar on a leaf, its all memories for them.
I do understand that some kids just hurtle down the path with no consideration for others but my two are not like that, and as long as there is no cycle lane on the way to school my kids will stay on the path.

Replied: 1st Sep 2006 at 14:01

Posted by: greyhound (397)

why don't we have cycle lanes?

Replied: 1st Sep 2006 at 14:11

Posted by: empress (9667) 

Weren't a problem when we were kids eh, we rode where we liked and nobody minded, and our bikes weren't as safe as they are now .Kids safety has to come first, and they aren't safe on a main road, the wind from a lorry could pull them over, then theres the speed of cars.On top of that the roads are in bad condition a lot of the time, a small hole can have a bike over.

Replied: 1st Sep 2006 at 14:13

Posted by: neverstill (inactive)

i think mostly because our roads are not wide enough, especially in small villages.
I do think us cyclists should pay a kind of road tax to fund such things tho, like i say i drive a car aswell and i dont think my car tax should fund cycle lanes if the road they paint them on is full of holes and such.

Replied: 1st Sep 2006 at 14:15

Posted by: empress (9667) 

Don't start me on road tax, as soon as I pay it I can guarantee I spot more holes and bad roads than soft Mick.We are taxed enough.

Replied: 1st Sep 2006 at 14:24

Posted by: neverstill (inactive)

yea i know lol and my husband drives a 4x4 so we will soon know the meaning of car tax!
and that winds me up, we were talking to some one who works at the same place as him who owns a b.m.w and for the same amount of milage the b.m.w uses more petrol than we do diesel, but our car tax will go up treble while the b.m stays the same!

Replied: 1st Sep 2006 at 14:31

Posted by: neverstill (inactive)

oh ive just emailed the police, hope i get a reply some time this year!
the highway code says we not allowed on pavement at all....but im sure i read somewhere if the wheels are small it is allowed.....have to wait and see.
If im breaking the law when i goto school i better be aware in case we get arrested. I bet its one excuse Mr Sheekey hasnt heard for being late! lol

Replied: 1st Sep 2006 at 14:35

Posted by: harold (inactive)

If you put two wheels on a narrow footpath it will completly block it.

And then force women pushing prams in to the road.

And cause blind people to walk into your car.

And if everybody parked two wheels on the footpath it would end up with damaged and dangerous kerd stones what people could trip over.

So its no wheels on the footpath.

Replied: 1st Sep 2006 at 14:49

Posted by: xrh59 (inactive)

I still agree with what people are saying about keeping kids safe from traffic and such but they should be on the road and if you feel it not safe for a child to be in the traffic the should walk surely it must be quicker to walk on the footpath than to ride and having to keep stopping to get past pedestrians.

Replied: 1st Sep 2006 at 17:53

Posted by: disco_diva (inactive)

On the subject of pushbikes on paths, i agree that you can just be walking along minding your own business and whoosh, straight past you, nearly knocking you over. Put bells back on handlebars.Thats what i say.
I must agree with some though about the dangers of drivers and some have total disregard for cyclists, so no wonder some prefer to cycle on the path. Its the gangs of children pedalling away and whizzing past you that annoys me.

Replied: 1st Sep 2006 at 18:20

Posted by: neverstill (inactive)

i stand corrected!! police emailed me back.
I asked 'is it illegal for children to ride bikes on the footpath?'

the reply:: 'legislation states that no cycles are allowed on the footpath, no exception of size'

So i'm a criminal every school day twice a day,ill have to back to my car and kill the ozone and wild life.

as for above...it takes us 10 mins ride to school 35 mins walking it, my 6 year old is only small and takes an age walk anywhere.

Replied: 1st Sep 2006 at 19:19

Posted by: xrh59 (inactive)

Hello neverstill, So will you abide by the law of the land, I do understand what your saying so we will have to agree to disagree.Walking will take you longer but you and your kids would be safer so would the pedestrians.You criminal you Ha!Ha! just kidding.

Replied: 1st Sep 2006 at 20:30

Posted by: ann442 (210)

its is in canada we can get fined

Replied: 2nd Sep 2006 at 03:48

Posted by: neverstill (inactive)

xrh...you'll be seeing wanted posters of next....you wait! lol
no i'll probably still go on bikes, my children are too young to be arrested so they'll get me instead..lol
i should ride on the path too so if i do get done it'll be for myself, but seriously where my kids school is, we dont pass anyone until we get right near the school then they do go on the road because although its busy with school traffic, its slow because of the zebra crossing.
and when they out on their bikes on the estate at home they do stay off the path.
they are still too young go anywhere on their own so i know my 2 aint knocking people over.

Replied: 2nd Sep 2006 at 06:30

Posted by: reddi8 (1107)

my front door opens onto the pavement and when I step outside I am often nearly knocked over with cyclists. Now we use the back door most of the time.

Replied: 2nd Sep 2006 at 08:56

Posted by: xrh59 (inactive)

OK neverstill that will have to do for me,But don't blame anyone but your self if you end up in Strangeways for bike pedleing.

Replied: 2nd Sep 2006 at 12:19

Posted by: zoe24 (2272) 

On the street i live on the kids are always going on the path on there bikes, its either that or in the road, most of them including mine are not old enough to go of the street, and nobody has ever complained, i do understand were your coming from, but where else are they supposed to go

Replied: 2nd Sep 2006 at 13:25

Posted by: xrh59 (inactive)

Hello Zoe24 i don't have an answer for you as to where they are supposed to go,and if the people who live in the street don't mind your ok then,but i still don't think bikes should be on the pavement.

Replied: 2nd Sep 2006 at 13:42

Posted by: dark horse (295) 

I did a google search and got this:

cycles are road carriages and cycling on footpaths is prohibited by Section 72 of the Highway Act 1835. This is punishable by a fixed penalty notice of £30 under Section 51 and Schedule 3 of the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988.

Replied: 3rd Sep 2006 at 13:52

Posted by: zoe24 (2272) 

When the patrol polics come round on there bikes, they dont mind kids on the paths, plus ive seen a policeman going down my street on his bike

Replied: 3rd Sep 2006 at 15:55

Posted by: dark horse (295) 

I can't hear much behind me as I wear two hearing aids and the mics point forwards. Most cyclists expect you to hear them coming and go like bats out of hell. I knocked on off once because I didnt hear him and simply side stepped to avoid a dollop of dog do do. I thought hed fractureed his skull. He was very angry as he broke his specs and tried to blame me, saying I was walking like a crab. Police may well turn a blind eye to kids and so would I if we are talking little uns as long as they are taught to be slow and careful. Footpaths are for PEDESTRIANS and we are entitled to feel safe. there should be NO adult cyclists on the pavement and in fact anyone over 12 or five feet in height should also be on the road. A road safety cycle test should be COMPULSORY too, with a 'licence' issued. Also, all the necessary safety gear - elbow and knee pads, flourescent jacket and a safety helmet should be compulsory. Cyclists are killed every year when many could be saved by simply wearing the right gear, and there would be less need for them to be on the pavement too.

Replied: 10th Sep 2006 at 20:01

Posted by: christi (206)

My children are to old to be taked to school and they don't ride bike any longer. I don't mind any one riding on the foot path(children)as the roads are MAD these days, just as long as the ride in a fairly straight line so I can get out of the way!!!!!

Replied: 11th Sep 2006 at 11:57

 

Note: You must login to use this feature.

If you haven't registered, why not join now?. Registration is free.