Cycling on the Pavement

In most cases, cyclists should NOT cycle on the pavement. However, some cyclists do not always feel safe on some of our busier inner city roads and junctions. And children in particular may feel safer using the pavement.

The law was changed in 1999 to allow cyclists to be fined for riding on the pavement. However, the law was intended to target only cyclists using the pavement in an aggressive manner.

http://www.bikehub.co.uk/featured-articles/cycling-and-the-law/


Here's what the then Home Secretary, Paul Boateng said issued in a letter to the Chief police officers.

“The introduction of the fixed penalty is not aimed at responsible cyclists who sometimes feel obliged to use the pavement out of fear of traffic and who show consideration to other pavement users when doing so. Chief police officers, who are responsible for enforcement, acknowledge that many cyclists, particularly children and young people, are afraid to cycle on the road, sensitivity and careful use of police discretion is required.”


This message seems to have been forgotten in case: http://road.cc/content/news/61316-zero-tolerance-pavement-cyclists-cardiff