illegal to cycle on the pavement in london?

[growse]

Er yes...

On the radio this morning Livingstone was talking about a Cycle registration scheme in London a la DVLA.

So not only would cyclists need a V5(?) but any riding on pavements would be caught my cameras and be subject to fines.

Good idea?

Whilst I'm all for removing numpty cyclists from the roads (and numpty drivers, but they're more stubborn and unwilling to die in accidents), I absolutely do not think that cyclists should pay road tax. Two reasons.

1: Road tax revenue is used to help pay for road repairs. A bike causes practically zero damage to a road compared to a car. Therefore, why the hell should cyclists be forced to subsidise repairs caused by cars? Before anyone moans about cycle lanes, we wouldn't need them if 100% of drivers drove safely. Wouldn't need pavements either. Or road markings.

2: Taxing cyclists would force the very large majority of people off their bikes, and probably into cars. This is a problem. Cycling is a good thing, as it benefits the rider (health-wise) and the environment. The last thing we want to do is to drive cyclists off the road with stupid taxes that are unnecessary.

The whole advantage to bikes is that they're easy to use. You don't need a license to buy a bike and ride it from A to B. This is both good and bad. It's good because it means people are encouraged to do it. I've not bought a car, because I can get everywhere on my bike, and it costs me practically nothing. It's a bad thing, because idiots exist. I think at the moment, the balance is good, as we are encouraging people to ride more and more. Yes, there are idiots, and Darwin will do his bit, but that's always going to happen.

It really annoys me when I see people riding on the pavement, jumping red lights etc. because they're destroying any chance of cycling becoming a respectable form of transport.

 

[ja3h]

lol lesson learnt suspension bike = crap >.<

well it was the cheapest bike they had and was reduced from 130 or something so i was tempted...may of rushed into it!

i think i'll get a hybrid bike over a road bike though. I can't use the road bike on grass right? I don't commute with it much really just down to my local station which takes about 5 mins on the road or a 15-20 min walk.

I was messing on the bike for about half n hour in a park on my mates one, i managed to keep balance but couldn't steer and pedal simulatenously lol. But the next day i went to a park with a bike and spent an hour getting used to it. My first problem was going too slow so i would find it hard to balance! yeah encourage her

i think i go about 20-25 mph on my bike though, it is v.crappy and i've had to take it to halfords a few times because of the gears that you change on the left..i don't know the jargon! But if i'm in the right gear i dont find it much effort to get up speed...but if i got a road bike i'd be much faster right?

i should have taken more care before buying my bike, well its my first bike so i've learnt my mistake!

 

[squiffy]

No a roadbike can't be used on grass, however a hybrid, MTB and commuter and tourer can. I doubt you reached 20-25 mph on the flat, unless going downhill. 20-25 is about right for a roadbike at a fast crusing pace.

Since you're learning I would use that FS for now, if you crash no biggie. I've used a £80 Halfords FS type..weighs a ton and generally poo. There are loads of different types of bikes, more so than simple "racer" to "MTB" mainly now you have...

Materials, steel, aluminium, carbon fibre, titanium. Mixture of both, ie alu frame, carbon fork, alu frame, steel fork. Other parts ie stem/seatpost/bars could be alu or carbon.

Rigid MTB- forks are rigid. Ideal for fast off-roading. Tyre change to slicks and it's a commuter bike (guards and/or panniers). Good ones start at £300. Flats

Hardtail MTB- front suspension. If suspension is locked out, tyre change to slicks again can be used onroad. £600+ Flats

Full suspension- front and rear suspension. £1000+ Flats

Cyclo-Cross- a mix of MTB with roadbike. Brakes on the flats, drop bars. Tougher frame, MTB gearing. These are quite expensive, £700+ Kona Jake

Roadbike- fast, light bike with thin tyres. Can have guard and pannier fittings, but usually not. £400+ Drops. Giant OCR range

Audax- Like roadbikes, but space for guards, usually steel frames. Drops.

Tourer, long wheelbase, plenty of room for racks, panniers on rear and front. Fitted guards and wider tyres, more upright position, steel frame and forks. £500+ some easily reach £900 or higher. Dawes Galaxy. Flats or drops. Usually drops are best choice.

Flat bar road bike, basically same as roadbike, but with flat bars and shifters. Giant FCR range

Urban- bit like a hybrid/flat bar roadbike, usually flat bars, similar size width tyres to cyclo-cross (say around 30mm) £400+ Kona Dew. Faster than a city bike. Flats

City bike- Bit like a tough MTB, but with slick tyres, steel frame, more upright position than a MTB £300+ ie Kona Smoke. Flats

Than you've got Shimano and Campagnolo, drum brakes, hub gearing, cantilever, caliper, V brake, mechanical disc brake, hyraulic disc brake, fixed gearing. etc etc..then specialist bikes ie recumbrents, folding, tandems etc.

btw I own a roadbike Giant OCR range and plan to buy a tourer, Edinborugh Revolution Country.

Different mixes,

 

[nomad]

Cyclists should also make a contribution to her maj's roads and highways and pay road tax.

unless it means more cycle lanes then no point them paying tax. I do think they should be registered in case of accidents, and pay a small amount of insurance thou.

 

[knowlesy]

isnt it illegal everywhere .... i nearly did in durham and sadly where i live.... both warnings luckily

 

[nelsby]

Ride on the path mate. I've cycled past police and they've done nothing, it's a stupid law, as long as you're not reckless the police won't do anything. What's worse- hitting a pedestrian on a bike? or getting knocked over by a car on your bike?

Think I'll start driving my car on the pavement whenever I can then. What's worse for me - hitting a squishy pedestrian or hitting another car?

 

[squiffy]

unless it means more cycle lanes then no point them paying tax. I do think they should be registered in case of accidents, and pay a small amount of insurance thou.

I don't want cycle lanes or use them. Unless they're equal and length in number in roads, then I wouldn't pay for them. The ones we do have are useless, full of glass and uneven.

 

[Mr Nice]

Think I'll start driving my car on the pavement whenever I can then. What's worse for me - hitting a squishy pedestrian or hitting another car?

Yes, just like Carmageddon......

 

[jonnyc90]

It is I got stopped by the police in London and they took my details

 

[chucky]

The problem i have with cycle lanes around where i live is that they are an extension to the footpath, not the road.

i.e. everyjunction i would have to stop as if i am crossing the road rather than the car waiting to see if the road/cyclepath is clear.

So basically my council has spent a lot of money widening the footpaths, making the roads thinner, but in reality the cyclists still have to use the roads.

 

[[DOD]Asprilla]

I'm pretty sure it's your responsibility to check your wing mirror before turning

The idea that a bike should overtake on the right is just plain silly!

You are clearly insane, or have never taken your cyling tests and are a danger to yourself and others.

I see that other people have already pointed out that cyclists should overtake on the right like anyone else.

I think part of the problem is that people think that once they've learned enough to take their training wheels off they are then qualified to ride on the roads, but it's obvious to me that most cyclists have no idea about even the most basic rules pertaining to them.

How can you expect to be safe if you don't even know which side you should overtake on?

Kids should have to take their cycling tests at school.

 

[IamMed]

It's illegal for any wheeled carriage to be on the pavement.

Technically prams, pushchairs, motability scooters and cycles should ALL be on the road.

(Motability scooters IMO are much larger threat than a cyclist and I'm yet to see a pushchair recieve a fine for using pavement)

I've ridden on pavements all my life (as well as roads) especially where I am now as the traffic here is terrible, and most drivers dont give cyclists any consideration.

Ammount of times I've had cars pull out of junctions/parking places on me while I'm on the road just plain takes the ****.

I haven't had a fine issued yet and thats with England, Wales and Scotland, generally most Police ignore it, the only ones who have issued me warnings in the past have been Traffic Wardens, as long as your not acting like an idiot and being considerate to pedestrians they usually dont bother though.

This is no gaurantee you can do it without penalty but this is my own personal experience and it is still technically illegal.

 

[growse]

You are clearly insane, or have never taken your cyling tests and are a danger to yourself and others.

I see that other people have already pointed out that cyclists should overtake on the right like anyone else.

I think part of the problem is that people think that once they've learned enough to take their training wheels off they are then qualified to ride on the roads, but it's obvious to me that most cyclists have no idea about even the most basic rules pertaining to them.

How can you expect to be safe if you don't even know which side you should overtake on?

Kids should have to take their cycling tests at school.

Overtake on the right, yes, but filter on the left.

A bike is naturally slower than a car. That is why cyclists in normal traffic keep to the left, so cars can overtake on the right. If a cyclist approaches a queue of 5 cars at some traffic lights, they should natrually filter on the left. Reason for this is because when the lights go green, the cars are going to be accelerating faster than the bike. If the cyclist was on the right, he now needs to move all the way across the road, on which there are cars going faster. This is rather dangerous.

As a result, filtering on the left allows the cyclist to stay on the left when the lights go green and the traffic moves.

On the other hand, if, in free traffic, the car in front of the cyclist wishes to turn left and pauses at the turning, overtaking should always be on the right if it is safe.

Personally, on the traffic light scenario, I'll only filter if there's a good amount of room left by the traffic. Otherwise I'll keep my place in the queue on my bike.

 

[Heliospherez]

Actually, statistically it has been proven that - it is safer to ride your bike on the Road. You are less likely to have an accident.

As was pointed out, It is also illegal to ride on the Pavement.

And, numerous people have actually been killed by cyclists on the pavement.

And lastly - cyclists are responsible for approx 90% of the accidents / collisions they are involved in - simply because they are careless, unsure of the law and haven't taken any sort of training.

So why would you want to ride on the pavement ?

 

[ja3h]

ahhhh

so many pages now

thanks for all the comments and the in depth bike talk

i had a good experience today i cycled from croydon to Lee (in lewisham) which was about 18 miles there and back. Theres a nice cycle route through catford

i was mostly on the roads (quietish ones) and dismounted and walked the bike across busy roads. It did take 2 hrs for the 9 miles but thats because i was looking at the map a lot. Didn't have any bad run ins apart from some boy racers passing by extremely close and using their horn! >.<

but it was good feel a bit tired now

 

[squiffy]

It did take 2 hrs for the 9 miles

You're a snail! I can do 16 miles in 55 minutes.

 

[weescott]

I ride my FS bike on the road (jumping onto the pavement to get past traffic but only if the pavement is clear). I did 5 miles in under 18mins this week. Who said Full Susser's were slow?

A lot of drivers are ignorent to the rights of cyclists, I had a Taxi driver swear at me the other day because I overtook him (he was stationary), twit. I'm helping setting up a cycling inititive at work where we plan on giving out free cycle lights. What did the budget holder say? Why do bicycles need lights!!! Yeah why do cars need lights?

 

[Fishman]

Actually, statistically it has been proven that - it is safer to ride your bike on the Road. You are less likely to have an accident.

Perhaps but id rather not be rear ended by a car into a hedge. The way I cycle I can assure you its much more dangerous on the road

If the roads are empty ill cycle on them as i can go faster and not worry as much about side roads. If the roads are busy and the paths are empty (or large, I can usually slip onto the grass to go around the odd person) which is usually the case around here then I will use the pavement everytime.

If the pavement is only thin I will cycle much slower as I cant see what is coming out from behind hedges or blind corners. I think that only irresponsible cycling on the pavement should be punished. It is when people are in a rush and cycling fast that these supposed accidents happen, if your going to be cycling fast for a long time then you should do it on the road if the pavement is busy/thin with lots of drive ways etc but the casual cyclist trying to keep themselves alive and doing it in a responsible way shouldnt be punished.

Around a year ago there was a cyclist killed on a road I drive through on the way to work, a twisty 40 limit road that too many people drive way too fast round the blind corners on. Even the guy who says that cars are going to have to use intent to get him wouldnt be invincible here !

People suggesting that cyclists should pay road tax, lol. I think there is perhaps more mileage from cars which probably cause more wear..... To further backup this statement I offer the following; the road tax (vehicle excise duty or whatever the official name is now) is now done on g CO2/km or something and that the low polluting cars (admittedly none of which are on sale in the UK) dont have to pay anything now. Now im not sure how much CO2 I emit if I cycle 1 km but it probably isnt that much !

 

[georges]

If there is a cycle lane or the road isn't too bad i'll use it. In some places though when there is lots of traffic and no space to ride on the road (unless you fancy sitting on the floor with a car on you) i'll use the pavement.

That's the rules I use.

I try to use the road as much as possible, although if there's a blind corner (like there is linking my village to a friends) I hop onto the pavement, as the people drive like mentalists round it and frequently crash. Scary to ride on it.

 

[matt_fsr]

Reminds me of a late evening returning from Uni in the dark, cycling my custom built jump/speed rig on the road, with only a lousy small red flashing light - the polite gentleman in the white van drew alongside, and advised me to cycle on the path for safety.

Yes, the van WAS fully marked up and contained 2 coppers