Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
Cyclists on Green Lanes footpath - is this a thing?
On the way to the post office this afternoon I almost got bowled over twice by cyclists mounting the footpath to cycle "offroad" on Grand Parade. They seemed totally unbothered by it, but I'm fairly sure it's illegal to ride on the footpath. Can anyone enlighten me?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Michael Anderson on
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Ian - I don't really care whether they are dangerous or not. This city is dominated by the needs of road users. As a pedestrian I have no choice at all but to cross roads to get to where I need to go . My only sanctuary is the pavement and I just do not want 2, 3 or 4 wheeled users on sharing it with me. Roads are great big wide things. Pavement are little narrow things. Keep off them please.
If people want the law to change - campaign to achieve that. In the meanwhile abide by it.
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Permalink Reply by 26mhcx4vtb0rb on
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Roads are full of great big fast things, which have been responsible for at least 29 deaths in London so far this year. Bicycles are neither big nor (particularly) fast and despite the apparent scourge of them being ridden where they shouldn't, rarely injure and almost never kill anyone.
I simply hate the fact that cycling on pavements is often misrepresented as one of society's greatest problems when it simply isn't. That and the fact that a few people behaving irresponsibly somehow somehow reflects on an entire group. No one ever connects a dangerous driver with 'motorists'.
For the record I never cycle on pavements, nor without lights when I need them. However I'll admit to carefully riding 50m the wrong way down my road in a morning to get to Green Lanes.
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Permalink Reply by John D on
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47% of cyclists riding without lights is not a " a few people behaving irresponsibly ".
One irresponsible motorist damns EVERY motorist ( at least on HOL ).
What other laws do you ignore when it suits you ?
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My observation one evening between Homerton and home.
See page 1 of this thread.
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The exact numbers were posted on here some time ago but I think the archives have been deleted by now. It's one or two either way.
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"What other laws do you ignore when it suits you ?"
Just amusing made up ones such as "having no audible means of warning".
I absolutely hate bicycle bells (which is presumably what you're referring to) because they're often used in the same 'get out of my way' manner in which drivers use their horns. It may surprise you that I believe all cyclists should take extra care in situations where pedestrians *might* step into the road, and should as much time and space as necessary to any who are already there.
I'd be perfectly happy to have similar 'strict liability' laws to other European countries, which automatically puts the blame on motorists for collisions with cyclists, but also - importantly - makes cyclists liable for collisions with pedestrians.
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You take extra care ?
Has it occurred to you that when you go the wrong way down to Green Lanes pedestrian or motorist on Green Lanes might not expect a cyclist to pop out of your street ?
If it's only 50m why don't you walk down ? It's called a pushbike after all.
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You're right - the law has changed. But -
The Pedal Bicycles ( Safety ) Regulations 2003 say that it would be illegal to supply a bicycle unless " it has been fitted with a bell which—
(i)is of a category intended for use on bicycles; and
(ii)complies with the requirements of clause 6.3 of the ISO Standard in relation to bells of that category; "
Now of course you could take the bell off once you get the bike home which would confirm that you are irresponsible and not taking every care to avoid accidents causing injury to pedestrians.
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Timely letter in the Evening Standard, Wed 18 Feb, then:
"I read with great interest about Tom de Pelet's bid to have his loudest bike horn accepted by the entrepreneurs on Dragon's Den to improve safety for road cyclists. I wish to point out that I have yet to encounter a cyclist who, when cycling through commons, parks, or indeed, on pavements, uses any form of audible warning whatsoever to indicate their presence to the casual stroller - who can be extremely shocked as an almost silent cyclist sails past their earlobe". Kev J Bourke.
For those cyclists who DO want audible warning of approach, the letter was a riposte to this ES story about the Hornit horn which de Pelet is successfully marketing despite the Dragons giving it a miss.
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Now you're just being insulting.
If necessary, I have a perfectly audible voice which I can use to warn pedestrians of any imminent danger I might pose them. However, I honestly can't remember last time I had to use it, probably because - as previously mentioned - I make a very concious effort to ride in a manner which means I don't have to.
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Permalink Reply by Noots on
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Agreed - on my commute I find that people are likely to walk straight out in front of you almost anywhere in The City or along the Harringay stretch of Green Lanes, where you have cars pulling out without looking, meaning I'm always expecting people to do so, and cycle accordingly. I also cycle nice and slowly through Shoreditch park if people are about and where possible, give them a wide berth when passing.
On the subject of lights - I'm staggered by your 47%. I'm a bit anal about people riding without lights, so tend to notice (and get annoyed) by people without them, and I counted 3 people out of about perhaps 120-140 cyclists on my way home. My guess is that I see 5-6 a day on average if I'm cycling during peak hours. As far as I'm concerned, they're all idiots, but I don't think it's as endemic as you suggest.
People riding on the pavement illustrates the need for some people to show a lot more consideration and also that some/lots of people are scared to cycle on our roads.
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Ian, every death or serious injury caused by collision is a tragedy but the majority of those killed in this way are pedestrians. I never claimed that cycling on the pavement is one of society's greatest problems. It is anti social, selfish and just plain rude, just like dropping litter, spitting or blasting out music as you drive up the road at 2 in the morning.
I am completely in favour of improving the conditions for cycling and I think in a city like London it can be a major factor In making it a more pleasant place to live. As things are at the moment pavements are the only place I feel relatively safe, I honestly cannot see why I should accept that I should have to be constantly vigilant just in case a cyclist wants to use it.
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