F%&*&$g CYCLISTS!!! ARRGGGHHH!!!

Originally Posted by Drew Carey

Well I'm sorry, but when you are on a road with no cycle lanes, a bus overtaking you whilst there is a lorry on the other side on a road that is not wide enough....then I use the pavement breifly for my own safety.

We'll have to agree to differ, but it's a bit like being on a 125; good road positioning and not riding in the gutter can stop that kind of thing.

there are parts of the road on my commute to work that have pavements but I rarely if ever see anyone walking on them. the roads are in a terrible state with absolutely massive potholes and sunken drains that could easily buckle the front wheel on a racing bike. to avoid these you have to ride further out in the road, risking rash overtaking by other road users and slowing down traffic. if there is nobody on the pavement why remain in a more dangerous position on the road?

I'm going to have to agree with drew. As long as you use common sense and courtesy paths are fine. If you use "proper road positioning" half the time you will cause massive bloody tailbacks and **** people off more.

[Sir Trev]

Originally Posted by Drew Carey

For me personally, I ride on the roads and pavements depending on the situation.

In areas where there are a lot of walkers, I ride on the road. However there are some parts like down the main road (Hagley Road) into Brum, that the road is two lanes but not wide enough. On these parts I pre-plan and go on the pavement when safe to do so and there is no one there. If I see a pedestrian, then I slow right down and go past politely and safely.

I do the same.

Having been told off the the village Bobby (remember when we used to have them?) for riding like a twit on the pavement when a kid I'm aware it is not allowed, but common sense and manners make it fine in reality. The key, as Drew said, is to slow down (to a pedestrian's speed), be polite, and thank. I regularly do this in Wycombe town centre in full view of any passing police officers and PCSOs with no problem.

Although I would not condone violent encounters I was waiting at a pedestrian crossing once where a cyclist ignored the red light and the guy beside me pushed the little scrote over as he shot past. As he lay bleeding on the road the guy told him where his hadlebars would be inserted next time he ignored the red light. It was bound to happen - that crossing point was notorious for cyclists hitting pedestrians (and yes, I do know pedestrians should look before blindly stepping out into the road).

Originally Posted by benji106

there are parts of the road on my commute to work that have pavements but I rarely if ever see anyone walking on them. the roads are in a terrible state with absolutely massive potholes and sunken drains that could easily buckle the front wheel on a racing bike/

There are big potholes around here too and sometimes I cannot see a pedestrian on the pavement; would anybody mind if I rode my motorbike down the pavement? courteously of course.

Originally Posted by simesb

There are big potholes around here too and sometimes I cannot see a pedestrian on the pavement; would anybody mind if I rode my motorbike down the pavement? courteously of course.

well you conveniently cut off the alternative method for avoiding them in my post - riding around them, which is perfectly viable on a motorbike, but slightly more of an a*se clenching moment when on a pushbike on a busy road. plus the obvious size/weight/speed difference between the two modes of transport

Originally Posted by benji106

well you conveniently cut off the alternative method for avoiding them in my post - riding around them, which is perfectly viable on a motorbike, but slightly more of an a*se clenching moment when on a pushbike on a busy road. plus the obvious size/weight/speed difference between the two modes of transport

I'm just trying to understand why it is fine to do it on a push-bike, but not a small motorbike? Both can go slowly and courteously, both are a similar size. Why one and not the other?

[tonyk]

Originally Posted by simesb

I'm just trying to understand why it is fine to do it on a push-bike, but not a small motorbike? Both can go slowly and courteously, both are a similar size. Why one and not the other?

some thing to do with:

Push bike owners have no need of licence, insurance, road tax etc, and it is against the law for a motor powered vehicle to be used on a public foot path.

[Luckypants]

Originally Posted by tonyk

some thing to do with:

Push bike owners have no need of licence, insurance, road tax etc, and it is against the law for a motor powered vehicle to be used on a public foot path.

It is also illegal to cycle on a footpath.

[tonyk]

Originally Posted by Luckypants

It is also illegal to cycle on a footpath.

does it no depend on wheel size ?
i think it's under 24" ok for foot path. could be wrong though.
illegal to cycle on a footpath........so what about kids on small bikes ?
hum...def wheel size.