rob.northcott wrote:


My route to work involves a short bit of footpath (only about 50 yards
or so) and I always feel slightly guilty riding on it. I tend to slow
right down to walking speed and get off if there are pedestrians who
look like they'd be intimidated, and generally behave in a ridiculously
responsible manner, but technically it's illegal. I think you were
just unlucky and came across PC Pedant (assuming you weren't riding
like a lunatic of course )

Rob



Around here some footpaths have been converted to 'dual use' with the
aid of a few signs/paint, no safer than before. However these pavements
are very different from Central London, where bikes are always cutting
me up.

I occasionally take the 36" onto pavements, but only if the kids are
tired and riding at walking pace or late at night on country roads when
there are boy racers passing. If I was stopped I would definitely start
a polite discussion.

As far as the law is concerned I found a 2002 Statuary Instrument:

http://www.opsi.gov.uk/SI/si2002/20023113.htm

"pedal cycle" means a unicycle, bicycle, tricycle, or cycle having four
or more wheels, not being in any case mechanically propelled unless it
is an electrically assisted pedal cycle of such class as is to be
treated as not being a motor vehicle for the purposes of the 1984
Act[17];

As we don't want to be banned from road riding it does make it hard to
argue that we should be allowed on the pavement, although common sense
should prevail e.g. 20" wheels. Taking it further street entertainment
on a giraffe would technically fail RTA regulations

Keith


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