Using the Pavement can save you time

[tradesecrets]

I know down south this is view rather differently and kind of a no no though to be fair and brutal I saved myself 30mins or more on my journey time if i stuck to the road what with the number of traffic lights on the journey home down Paisley road west .

I did a few time checks on my way home left Glasgow at 10.45pm traveling down PRW first was at the welcome to renfrewshire road sign time was 11.12pm, when passing through Paisley town center 11.20pm after passing through Linwood 11.45pm and was in the house for 12am dead on 1hr 15min



Though if this was much earlier in the day i time would be greater .

 

[livpoksoc]

Just an FYI, I read an article in Cycling Active a month or so back about knowing the rules/laws etc.

Whilst it isn't illegal to cycle on the pavement, there is common perception that using pavements can mean cyclists fall foul of 'cycling with aggresion' rules/laws.

I would advise of avoiding using the pavements particularly if you are trying to cut times off rides. Obviously it's all your choice, but it can have consequences even if you don't have an accident!

 

[summerdays]

I don't know the area - but my main route to town has lots of lights on it... and so normally I take the back street route - which has more junctions where I need to give way but generally can keep moving. I can't imagine the pavement being any faster due to the number of pedestrians that I would meet (plus street furniture). Unfortunately my worst traffic light is the one to join the main road where it's a one minute wait for a green light ... only to get to the next red light 100 m further on (they are linked!)

 

[corshamjim]

According to the highway code it is illegal to ride on the pavement.

http://www.direct.go...ycode/DG_069837 (rule 64)

IANAL tho.

 

[asterix]

I wonder if the OP is aware of the police presence on this forum!

 

[Mark_Robson]

What kind of average speed were you achieving while you were using the pavement?

 

[BSRU]

"If" I commuted to work on the pavements, it would take longer and be more dangerous, especially if I were to attempt riding at my normal road speed.

 

[Red Light]

Whilst it isn't illegal to cycle on the pavement,

It is illegal to cycle on the pavement - s72 of the Highway Act 1835 as amended by s85(1) of the Local Government Act 1888 - unless the pavement has been made officially into a cycle track or shared use pavement or is not alongside a road.

Cycling at speed on the pavement is also very risky, even if it is late at night. In the three cases over recent years where a pedestrian has been hit and killed on the pavement one cyclist was jailed, one only escaped jail because of special circumstances and the third received a hefty fine.

Pavement death 1
Pavement death 2
Pavement death 3
Death by Dangerous Cycling

 

[GlasgowGaryH]

I quite like stopping at red traffic lights,gives me time to get my breath back

 

[numbnuts]

I think if your using the pavement you should keep it to yourself, it has no place on a cycling forum IMO sorry

 

[Andy_R]

The clue is in the name...."foot"path.....only small children should be cycling on it. Cycling on the path just to save a few minutes is quite selfish.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

:troll: Next.

I know down south this is view rather differently and kind of a no no though to be fair and brutal I saved myself 30mins or more on my journey time if i stuck to the road what with the number of traffic lights on the journey home down Paisley road west .

I did a few time checks on my way home left Glasgow at 10.45pm traveling down PRW first was at the welcome to renfrewshire road sign time was 11.12pm, when passing through Paisley town center 11.20pm after passing through Linwood 11.45pm and was in the house for 12am dead on 1hr 15min



Though if this was much earlier in the day i time would be greater .

 

[tradesecrets]

[QUOTE 1396543"]
You saved 30 minutes? What was the distance?
[/quote]


16miles plus

 

[Melonfish]

Red light has this spot on. illegal unless its a specific cycle lane or shared path or is not adjoining a road.
why you would do this is beyond me, the speeds we cycle its dangerous for any pedestrian on that path.
pete

 

[crumpetman]

I see the odd cyclist jump lights or mount the pavement to go around lights, obstructions etc and usually I catch them up. If I were to follow their route I am sure I would save a few minutes as I am usually stopped for 5 minutes or more of a 50 minute trip and if I did not have to stop I would be able to keep a higher average speed.

I do not do it as even though most of the time it would be safe to do so I think makes other people perceive it as dangerous and that cyclists think it is ok to flout the law.