people who cycle on the pavement (sidewalk)

if they're too scared to cycle on the road, why can't they walk or take the bus like anyone else instead of terrorising pedestrians?

 

Cuz we like to be on time for work with an enjoyable ride that doesn't pollute and you don't get hit by cars.

 

:cheers2:

 

I've noticed you only really post for the count...

 

I ride on the pavement because I don't want to become a statistic.

 

Cylclists are taxpayers too. They own the sidewalk as much as they do the road.

We have laws here that restrict bikes on some sidewalks in downtown areas. I've actually gotten a ticket from a motorcycle cop for breaking that rule.

In either case, bikes that share them with walkers should have a bell. It should be the law.

Pedestrians ALWAYS have the right of way, but a little common courtesy goes a long way too.

I always announce "behind you" when I come up on somebody.



x

 

same here.

 

well in England it's actually illegal to cycle on the pavement.

Odon, like I said, if you think it's too dangerous to cycle on the street then you should WALK or take the bus.

 

Try walking 3 miles to work, and get there before 7am, work 12 hours, then walk 3 miles home... and have time to sleep eat and relax.
There are no buses that go my way at that time of the morning (or I'd be on it).
I'm not on my bike because I want to, I have too.
As such, I want to get there as safely as possible.
It is not like I have my ipod on full blast, speeding around like some BMX bandit, not paying attention to what is going on around me.
It is early in the morning, with not many people on the pavements.
And I am as considerate as I can be.

 

This. Here in the States, motorists will run you off the road without a second thought. I'll ride on the sidewalk if the road is heavy with traffic or if there isn't anyone on the sidewalk. Also, most cities in the States aren't designed with pedestrians or cyclists in mind and are very automobile-centered.

 

Probably true, they would. Same here.
Though your second point about being "automobil-centred" might force drivers to misjudge the situation, and not take into consideration the cyclist.
So, I don't blame them per se.

Once I did see a coach and there was a cyclist on their side of the road, and an a car coming the other way.
To safely get past the bike and not go headlong into the car, would have been some manouvre a stunt person could not perform

 

I cycle 20 miles a day through West Palm Beach. The highest cyclist-death rate area in the country. You can cycle on the road if you know how and are smart and confident. Just like driving but but onna bike. By riding on the sidewalk you give drivers, who realistically arent that bright or open minded, the impression that "you know your place" or "belong there". The roads are for PUBLIC passage and one vehicle doesnt have dominion over another despite what the pop-collared BMW yup or drunk Bigfoot redneck might think. Unless someone is on thier way to cure cancer or end world hunger they arent giong anywhere more important thn anyone else.

 

:cheers2:

 

the generalization of all car-users to be assholes just in turn creates the generalization of all cyclists to be pussy bitches.

im dumb and closed minded cause i like to drive my car... seems logical

 

Yeah, I was going to add this to my post. A lot of drivers here aren't really prepared to deal with cyclists and aren't taught anything about how to approach a cyclist in driving school, or atleast the one I went to didn't mention anything about it. I don't know how it works in bigger cities. So on one hand, you're right, it's not always the driver's fault.

Anyways, what's the big deal with cyclists riding on the sidewalk in the first place? I was walking home yesterday and two cyclists were riding on the sidewalk towards me and I just stopped, moved out of the way, and let them pass. What's the big deal? I mean, I could understand if you live somewhere like New York or London that has a heavy pedestrian population but I don't really mind if someone rides on the sidewalks or not.

 

Ever heard of Critical Mass? We exist in order to piss off stuck up wankers who think that cars own the road.

Ehh... by that I mean to promote bike awareness....

 

The law where I live (Melbourne FL) is that we are to ride on the road within 12" of the curb. The traffic here is really bad. For me to ride anywhere I have to take one of 2 major roads. people regularly do 10 - 15mph over, drive close to the shoulder and swerve in to other lanes to avoid bikes.
Riding on the roadway is like playing Russian roulette. I always ride on the sidewalk, unless there are people walking then I move to the roadway to give them room.
I have been stopped by the cops about it, but they are pretty cool about it understanding it can be dangerous. I will continue riding with my safty in mind, ether their laws like it or not.

 

You're whining now. You are in the right place though.

 

Damn, I much prefer to cycle on the sidewalk than face death on the streets in London here. I've seen enough crap that drivers pull just being a pedestrian at crosswalks and whatnot, it's fuckin ridiculous and I would really rather not have to be riding in front, behind or beside these morons.

If riding on the sidewalk, I come up on someone walking, I just pass them on the grass. No big deal, there's pretty much always somewhere where I can pass. However, I don't ride downtown or anything because I'd rather bus it and walk...it's safer and prolly easier for me and everyone else.

 

Id prefer it if they rode on the sidewalk more. I hardly ever see a single person walking and they dont build bike lanes. (Im just outside of the city though. not in it)