FabSwingers.com > Forums > The Lounge > Riding bicycles on the pavement
Riding bicycles on the pavement
Jump to: Newest in thread
 |
By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
|
Watching the news today. They're running the story about the four year old in Grantham that was riding to school on her bike with stabilisers. Allegedly a police officer told her to get off the bike on the pavement and if he saw her get back on it when he left, it would be confiscated.
I agree that adults cycling on the pavement drives me mad, as it's totally unnecessary. But a four year old with stabilisers isn't going to cause injury to others.
If anything we need more cycle paths and to encourage children out on their bikes. |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"Watching the news today. They're running the story about the four year old in Grantham that was riding to school on her bike with stabilisers. Allegedly a police officer told her to get off the bike on the pavement and if he saw her get back on it when he left, it would be confiscated.
I agree that adults cycling on the pavement drives me mad, as it's totally unnecessary. But a four year old with stabilisers isn't going to cause injury to others.
If anything we need more cycle paths and to encourage children out on their bikes. "
 |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By *eerobCouple
over a year ago
solihull |
"Seriously? A 4 year old riding in the road wouldn't make it home around here. No one in their right mind would tell a child to ride in the road. "
Dont think anyone has saidhe should ride in the road? |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
Around here and in the local shopping centres, everyone with a bike seems to be on the pavement regardless of their age. supposed to be fined £75, if caught but there are never any police to catch them. And then there are the mobility scooters too |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"Seriously? A 4 year old riding in the road wouldn't make it home around here. No one in their right mind would tell a child to ride in the road.
Dont think anyone has saidhe should ride in the road? "
Where else will children ride if they aren't allowed on pavements? The officer may not have said you have to ride in the road but if you can't ride on the pavement you have to ride in the road. Yes,children could forego their bikes and walk but small children have been riding bikes for centuries. |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By *qua vitaeWoman
over a year ago
Shropshire/Midlands |
Young children riding on the pavement is a totally different matter compared to adults. I was once abused by a female cyclist for challenging her when she rang her bell at me to get out the way on the pavement - where are the police when you need them!!  |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"I thought it was illegal for anyone 16 or over to ride on the pavement but that under 16s are allowed as long as they are not posing a hazard."
In fact, the law states that it is illegal for anyone to cycle on the pavement. (Australian law has an age restriction of 12). The Home Office however did advise the police to use sensible discretion and not to apply the law to young children (or even adults if the road is dangerous). |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
I wonder if that's actually how it happened, or just how the aggrieved family have reported it.
I agree I have no problem whatsoever with small children using the pavement to cycle on. The parents who allow them to cycle two or three abreast really fucking slowly when I'm trying to use the pavement to walk to work on though...they can piss off! |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
"I wonder if that's actually how it happened, or just how the aggrieved family have reported it.
I agree I have no problem whatsoever with small children using the pavement to cycle on. The parents who allow them to cycle two or three abreast really fucking slowly when I'm trying to use the pavement to walk to work on though...they can piss off!"
I read the story yesterday and allegedly the officer told her mother that she needed to get off the bike and if he saw her riding it further down the road he would confiscate it.
I think it's ridiculous personally. I love seeing kids out on their bikes. |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
"Watching the news today. They're running the story about the four year old in Grantham that was riding to school on her bike with stabilisers. Allegedly a police officer told her to get off the bike on the pavement and if he saw her get back on it when he left, it would be confiscated.
I agree that adults cycling on the pavement drives me mad, as it's totally unnecessary. But a four year old with stabilisers isn't going to cause injury to others.
If anything we need more cycle paths and to encourage children out on their bikes. "
Plod is retarded. Child bikes are classed as toys and don't fall under the same laws as normal bikes, this is why bmx's and the like can be sold without brakes and reflectors and can be rode anywhere. If in doubt google it lol. |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
According to the Department for Transport (DfT), the maximum fine for ‘cycling on the pavement’ (ie footways) from the courts is £500. However it is more usually enforced by way of the Fixed Penalty Notice procedure (FPN) which carries a £30 fine if pleading guilty. However, there is a view that the FPN can only be issued to those over 16.
“The DfT view, from discussions with Home Office, is that the law applies to all but the police can show discretion to younger children cycling on the pavement for whom cycling on the road would not be a safe option.”
The age of criminal responsibility is 10 so, technically, only children below this age can cycle on footways without fear of redress.
While adults are not allowed to cycle on ‘footways’, children up to the age of 16 cannot be prosecuted for doing so. |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
|
"I wonder if that's actually how it happened, or just how the aggrieved family have reported it.
I agree I have no problem whatsoever with small children using the pavement to cycle on. The parents who allow them to cycle two or three abreast really fucking slowly when I'm trying to use the pavement to walk to work on though...they can piss off!"
Yes Anna, I did wonder if it happened exactly how it was reported. I think the force have issued an apology though.
I sometimes find pushchairs more dangerous on the pavement ! |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
I think that story sums up this country up, a little kiddie on bike and they issue a warning, kiddies getting raped and killed they do nothing.
I love cycling, indeed its become an obsession, I admit, I do nip up pavements when there is no way through a line of traffic and ignore the tricked up lights that stay on red for half an hour. I shouldn't but there it is, lots of things I shouldn't do.
AS for cycle paths well they're a complete joke, pot holes, utility companies laying their pipes and cables and leaving a 6 inch deep rut, they put some red tarmac on the one round here, that has broken up and riding a road bike on it is bloody terrible. I went through Stroud the other day on the path alongside the A419 and that's far more dangerous then riding on the dual carriageway itself, you have to cross it 4 or 5 times for no good reason. |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
A bicycle in any form is a vehicle. Vehicles are not allowed on a footway.
This applies equally to 4 year olds; however the police can exercise discretion in the case of young children. The maximum fine for cycling on a footway is £500.
|
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"I wonder if that's actually how it happened, or just how the aggrieved family have reported it.
I agree I have no problem whatsoever with small children using the pavement to cycle on. The parents who allow them to cycle two or three abreast really fucking slowly when I'm trying to use the pavement to walk to work on though...they can piss off!
Yes Anna, I did wonder if it happened exactly how it was reported. I think the force have issued an apology though.
I sometimes find pushchairs more dangerous on the pavement ! "
People on mobility scooters having a Sterling Moss moment! I'm going to be one of those one day  |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"I wonder if that's actually how it happened, or just how the aggrieved family have reported it.
I agree I have no problem whatsoever with small children using the pavement to cycle on. The parents who allow them to cycle two or three abreast really fucking slowly when I'm trying to use the pavement to walk to work on though...they can piss off!"
.
I would imagine like you this story is the Chinese whisper brigade.
It probably went something along the lines of four year old swerving all over pavement next to a busy road, the copper advised the parent to keep them closer and slower and reminded them it is actually illegal to ride on the pavement.... Aggrieved parent whos fuming at being told what to do turns into copper telling four year old to ride on road.... By the time we get it, it's gun crazed copper tazers four year old after row over speeding ticket!  |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"I thought it was illegal for anyone 16 or over to ride on the pavement but that under 16s are allowed as long as they are not posing a hazard.
In fact, the law states that it is illegal for anyone to cycle on the pavement. (Australian law has an age restriction of 12). The Home Office however did advise the police to use sensible discretion and not to apply the law to young children (or even adults if the road is dangerous)."
The home office guidelines actually state that police should turn a blind eye as long as the cyclist is not riding recklessly and is respectful of pedestrians. Clearly a 4 year old would almost certainly meet both those criteria.
It is also worth noting that you have to be 10 years of old to have criminal responsibility and that the police have no powers at all to seize a bicycle
|
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"I wonder if that's actually how it happened, or just how the aggrieved family have reported it.
I agree I have no problem whatsoever with small children using the pavement to cycle on. The parents who allow them to cycle two or three abreast really fucking slowly when I'm trying to use the pavement to walk to work on though...they can piss off!.
I would imagine like you this story is the Chinese whisper brigade.
It probably went something along the lines of four year old swerving all over pavement next to a busy road, the copper advised the parent to keep them closer and slower and reminded them it is actually illegal to ride on the pavement.... Aggrieved parent whos fuming at being told what to do turns into copper telling four year old to ride on road.... By the time we get it, it's gun crazed copper tazers four year old after row over speeding ticket! "
That's a good point that is, could be the parent being hyper sensitive. |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By *uzzy NavelWoman
over a year ago
so near and yet so far.... |
"I wonder if that's actually how it happened, or just how the aggrieved family have reported it.
I agree I have no problem whatsoever with small children using the pavement to cycle on. The parents who allow them to cycle two or three abreast really fucking slowly when I'm trying to use the pavement to walk to work on though...they can piss off!"
Wonder where it was in Grantham as it has loads of cycle paths.... |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
» Add a new message to this topic
