Cycling on the pavement can be OK

[Angelfishsolo]

Thanks for the info AFS - interesting reading and in consideration seems fair enough. In effect the fpn is to combat delinquent cyclists causing a danger on the pavement. I do sometimes cycle on the pavement and in pedestrianised areas but always with the greatest care.

A good summation. However keep in mind that an arsey Police Officer could fine you even if you were riding in a safe manner. Personally I will avoid Pavement cycling where ever possible. (I say that as one of the local cycleways suddenly ceases to be a cycleway and reverts to pavement with no warning or dropped curb. I have three choices. Hop of the curb into fast moving traffic. Stop, wait for a gap in the fast moving traffic (it is a trunk road) or carry on for about 50 yards into a petrol station so I can safely position myself at a junction and enter the flow of traffic in the safest manner I can. I opt for the third option unless by some miracle the road is clear in which case I take the 1st option.

 

[benb]

The Highway Act 1835 does not apply to precincts, only pavements alongside the road.

So what's the status of paths through parks? Am I right in thinking that unless they have a "footpath" sign, it is OK to cycle upon them?

 

[Angelfishsolo]

So what's the status of paths through parks? Am I right in thinking that unless they have a "footpath" sign, it is OK to cycle upon them?

Many parks are governed by by-laws that prohibit cycling. A park near me has three NCN cycle routes going through it and yet cycling is banned in the park. The referenced article does not mention this but it has been a bone of contention for many years.

 

[benb]

Many parks are governed by by-laws that prohibit cycling. A park near me has three NCN cycle routes going through it and yet cycling is banned in the park. The referenced article does not mention this but it has been a bone of contention for many years.

How am I supposed to know whether cycling is permitted?

 

[Angelfishsolo]

How am I supposed to know whether cycling is permitted?

There will be signs up saying no cycling or a round sign with a bike and a line through it. You could always ask your local authority as well.

 

[benb]

There will be signs up saying no cycling or a round sign with a bike and a line through it. You could always ask your local authority as well.

And in the absence of any signage at all? What's the default position?

 

[Angelfishsolo]

And in the absence of any signage at all? What's the default position?

I would say ride with due care and attention.

It is important to note that most legislation relating to ‘cycling on footpaths’ actually relates to the riding of cycles on a ‘footway set aside for the use of pedestrians’ which runs alongside a road. For example, the ‘fixed penalties’ brought in a few years ago do NOT apply to country footpaths where there is no road. Fixed penalty notices also cannot be applied to areas such as parks, shopping precincts etc. unless a byelaw has been passed making cycling such areas an offence, nor do they apply to anyone under 16. Many people (including police officers) seem to think that ‘a footpath is a footpath’ wherever it is and that the same laws apply. This is not the case.

 

[apollo179]

And in the absence of any signage at all? What's the default position?

So long as you can cycle faster than the park keeper can run you should be ok.