Pavement cycling safety in the UK?

[Davidc]

Several times recently I've seen pedestrians deliberately push people cycling on pavements off their bikes.

Would I have any sympathy if the person on the bike got injured?

A Paul Daniels catch phrase comes to mind.

 

[frank9755]

1. Cycling on shared use paths is much more dangerous than on the road. The data for this is on John Franklin's site which is referenced above. It's also confirmed by own experience which is that collisions are much more frequent (and don't get me started on the broken glass)

2. More UK pedestrians walking on pavements are killed / injured by cars than by bikes. Can't remember where I read that one.

 

[dellzeqq]

Doubt it, pavement cycling is completely outlawed in the UK so there won't be any statistics regarding it

I've been hit more in York's pedestrianised zones than the other areas though, if that helps at all

It isn't. Not that I'm suggesting that pavement cycling is a good thing - it's a bad thing, and mixed pedestrian/cyclist paths are no better - but the guidance from the Home Office is that people should not be prosecuted if they have a reasonable fear of riding on the road.

Iirc there is something somewhere about an age (11?) at which it is legal.

 

[dellzeqq]

2. More UK pedestrians walking on pavements are killed / injured by cars than by bikes. Can't remember where I read that one.

figures for London suggest that it's many times more
http://www.ctc.org.uk/resources/Campaigns/0911_CP_RLJ-pavement_brf.pdf

 

[downfader]

http://mqt.london.gov.uk/mqt/public/question.do?id=34203

http://www.publications.parliament....d/cm090126/text/90126w0003.htm#09012627000041 More basic stats on deaths and injuries

http://webarchive.nationalarchives....ations/personal/factsheets/cyclefactsheet.pdf General cycling factsheet

 

[peelywally]

LOL.

or the older gent yesterday evening who nearly knocked my boy flying. I should have chased him but was more concerned with getting young un back on his bike

ive seen people ride on pavements but usually approaching destination or leaving home , everyone else seems to be the sort i wouldnt want riding on the road ,


today a group of kids on bmx bikes swamped a complete lane going into town as they crossed the road , id rather they did that than traveled by road their entire journey (but maybe two can cross crossing would've been a better option than bunny hoping on and off kerbs and riding 4 wide .

 

[subaqua]

ive seen people ride on pavements but usually approaching destination or leaving home , everyone else seems to be the sort i wouldnt want riding on the road ,


today a group of kids on bmx bikes swamped a complete lane going into town as they crossed the road , id rather they did that than traveled by road their entire journey (but maybe two can cross crossing would've been a better option than bunny hoping on and off kerbs and riding 4 wide .

agreed, thats not a problem. but this was on a residential street, thats not a rat run and was the whole length of the pavement. I first thought he had popped onto the pavement to reach his house, but no he was an out and out pavement cyclist

 

[Jezston]

I know a joke about a Bear from Biling!

A bear walks into a bar ...

Mr Cunobelin - the cannon is primed and pointed towards the sun. Please step inside.

 

[Candaules]

In Birmingham it's not just chavs and yobs that cycle on the pavement. It is often riders of good bikes, dressed in all the right gear, with lights, helmets, reflective coats, etc. In other words, they are fully equipped for riding in the road, but for some reason prefer not to. Some of them are clearly commuters, who cycle on the same stretch of pavement everyday. It annoys me, when I'm walking, and they expect me to jump out of the way. If they aren't confident enough to ride in the road, should they be cycling at all?

Contrary to popular opinion, Birmingham is quite good for cycling, with plenty of safe routes, as well as the canal towpaths.

By the way, I was nearly hit by a pedestrian while cycling along a quiet suburban road. A boy of about 12 ran out into the road without looking, and if I hadn't taken evasive action he would have hit me and probably knocked me over. I wonder who would have got the blame?

Oh well. Rant over. The sun is shining. Time to get the bike out.