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Bikes on footpaths - damn...
From Bicycle Victoria:
A change to the Road Rules gazetted on 15 November 2001 allows adults to cycle on footpaths when accompanying a child under 12 years old. The change provides an exemption to Rule 250 (1): "The rider of a bicycle who is 12 years old or older must not ride on a footpath". This rule now does not apply if: a) the rider of the bicycle is 18 years old or older; and b) the rider is accompanying a child under 12 years of age who is riding a bicycle on the footpath; and c) the child is under the rider's supervision. I'm still riding on the footpath (39yo), but ride on the _outside_ edge so I don't get hit by cars backing out of driveways. There's also a few questions he why aren't bikes allowed on footpaths? Is it the speed they travel at? Maybe the stopping distance? I just don't feel safe on the road. How many cyclists get hit by cars versus how many pedestrians get hit by cyclists? Personally, I ride at less than 15km/h (about the same as a jogger) when on a footpath and dare say I can stop in the same, or less, distance as a jogger. Then there's the joggers pushing a pram, but that's another story all together. -- Alan Erskine alanerskine(at)optusnet.com.au Trial or release, Mr Bush, trial or release. |
#2
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Bikes on footpaths - damn...
Yeah Alan,I reckon here in Sydney at least anyone should be able to ride on
a footpath/sidewalk if it is deemed too dangerous to ride on a particular peice of road. IMHO, I'd rather be an alive outlaw than a dead inlaw.....just use a bit of safety common sense (although sometimes not that common)and protect yourself....ya don't often get a second chance under the wheels of a semi trailer. Cheers DJ "Alan Erskine" wrote in message u... From Bicycle Victoria: A change to the Road Rules gazetted on 15 November 2001 allows adults to cycle on footpaths when accompanying a child under 12 years old. The change provides an exemption to Rule 250 (1): "The rider of a bicycle who is 12 years old or older must not ride on a footpath". This rule now does not apply if: a) the rider of the bicycle is 18 years old or older; and b) the rider is accompanying a child under 12 years of age who is riding a bicycle on the footpath; and c) the child is under the rider's supervision. I'm still riding on the footpath (39yo), but ride on the _outside_ edge so I don't get hit by cars backing out of driveways. There's also a few questions he why aren't bikes allowed on footpaths? Is it the speed they travel at? Maybe the stopping distance? I just don't feel safe on the road. How many cyclists get hit by cars versus how many pedestrians get hit by cyclists? Personally, I ride at less than 15km/h (about the same as a jogger) when on a footpath and dare say I can stop in the same, or less, distance as a jogger. Then there's the joggers pushing a pram, but that's another story all together. -- Alan Erskine alanerskine(at)optusnet.com.au Trial or release, Mr Bush, trial or release. |
#3
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Bikes on footpaths - damn...
On Sat, 04 Oct 2003 06:53:16 GMT, "DJ" wrote:
Yeah Alan,I reckon here in Sydney at least anyone should be able to ride on a footpath/sidewalk if it is deemed too dangerous to ride on a particular peice of road. Does the term "alternate route" ring a bell? If you don't like riding down, say, Nicholson Street in North Fitzroy, use Canning Street.. Surely there's an equivalent alternate route near where you are so desperate to ride on the footpath.. IMHO, I'd rather be an alive outlaw than a dead inlaw.....just use a bit of safety common sense (although sometimes not that common)and protect yourself....ya don't often get a second chance under the wheels of a semi trailer. Nor do you get a second chance if some kid or pet runs in front of you and dies, with the potential to seriously injure you in the process.. Nor everything revolves around your safety, others have rights too.. PC |
#4
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Bikes on footpaths - damn...
"PC" wrote in message
... On Sat, 04 Oct 2003 06:53:16 GMT, "DJ" wrote: Yeah Alan,I reckon here in Sydney at least anyone should be able to ride on a footpath/sidewalk if it is deemed too dangerous to ride on a particular peice of road. Does the term "alternate route" ring a bell? If you don't like riding down, say, Nicholson Street in North Fitzroy, use Canning Street.. Surely there's an equivalent alternate route near where you are so desperate to ride on the footpath.. IMHO, I'd rather be an alive outlaw than a dead inlaw.....just use a bit of safety common sense (although sometimes not that common)and protect yourself....ya don't often get a second chance under the wheels of a semi trailer. Nor do you get a second chance if some kid or pet runs in front of you and dies, with the potential to seriously injure you in the process.. Nor everything revolves around your safety, others have rights too.. PC I'd have to agree with that, my mother was knocked down by a lycra clad cyclist on a footpath, he just picked himself up, dusted off, checked his bike, swore at my mother for walking on a footpath and rode off. Did not even bother to help my mother who was left with cuts and bruises. It was reported to the police who of course could do nothing about it - I cant remember exactly - but I think that it was not considered a vehicle accident at the time. I know she even ended up paying for the medical costs. My view now is that cyclists on footpaths should be required to stop and dismount to pass pedestrians - or they are fair game for a straight arm tackle to the throat. |
#5
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Bikes on footpaths - damn...
"Roger Martin" wrote in message ... ... I'd have to agree with that, my mother was knocked down by a lycra clad cyclist on a footpath, he just picked himself up, dusted off, checked his bike, swore at my mother for walking on a footpath and rode off. Did not even bother to help my mother who was left with cuts and bruises. It was reported to the police who of course could do nothing about it - I cant remember exactly - but I think that it was not considered a vehicle accident at the time. I know she even ended up paying for the medical costs. Jesus - what a scumbag! What sort of footpath was it? Just a suburban one or something? My view now is that cyclists on footpaths should be required to stop and dismount to pass pedestrians - or they are fair game for a straight arm tackle to the throat. Well, I wouldn't go that far. As a regular footpath cyclist (with my 6YO son) I give walkers warning and a wide berth. At low speed, there should be no real problems! Tim |
#6
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Bikes on footpaths - damn...
"Tim Jones" wrote in message
. au... As a regular footpath cyclist (with my 6YO son) I give walkers warning and a wide berth. At low speed, there should be no real problems! Tim Likewise. I give plenty of time so they know I'm there and then _I_ move out of _their_ way; I don't expect them to move out of my way at all. By the way, I'm hardly a "Lycra-clad cyclist" I wear jeans and an old shirt - don't like too much sun and don't like being cut up by branches etc. I ride slowly (15km/h at most) and on the outside edge of the path so I _don't_ hit pedestrians. I'm courteous, friendly and polite to a fault. -- Alan Erskine alanerskine(at)optusnet.com.au Trial or release, Mr Bush, trial or release. |
#7
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Bikes on footpaths - damn...
Well, I wouldn't go that far. As a regular footpath cyclist (with my 6YO
son) I give walkers warning and a wide berth. At low speed, there should be no real problems! I rarely ride on foot paths, but think that it's ok if it's done with discretion. Factors to include are the level of traffic on the road, whether or not a bike lane is provided, whether or not there are masses of people around, the speed you are travelling, and how far you are intending on going. Some sections of footpath have very little pedestrian traffic, and I can't see the harm in riding on them, especially if it gets you off the main road. The cops are pretty unlikely to book you unless you are being stupid about it. The thing you have to keep in mind is that you are not supposed to be there. Pedestrians have right of way over you no matter what. And if you get caught, cop it sweet. --- DFM |
#8
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Bikes on footpaths - damn...
"Tim Jones" wrote in message
. au... As a regular footpath cyclist (with my 6YO son) I give walkers warning and a wide berth. At low speed, there should be no real problems! Tim Likewise. I give plenty of time so they know I'm there and then _I_ move out of _their_ way; I don't expect them to move out of my way at all. By the way, I'm hardly a "Lycra-clad cyclist" I wear jeans and an old shirt - don't like too much sun and don't like being cut up by branches etc. I ride slowly (15km/h at most) and on the outside edge of the path so I _don't_ hit pedestrians. I'm courteous, friendly and polite to a fault. -- Alan Erskine alanerskine(at)optusnet.com.au Trial or release, Mr Bush, trial or release. |
#9
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Bikes on footpaths - damn...
Well, I wouldn't go that far. As a regular footpath cyclist (with my 6YO
son) I give walkers warning and a wide berth. At low speed, there should be no real problems! I rarely ride on foot paths, but think that it's ok if it's done with discretion. Factors to include are the level of traffic on the road, whether or not a bike lane is provided, whether or not there are masses of people around, the speed you are travelling, and how far you are intending on going. Some sections of footpath have very little pedestrian traffic, and I can't see the harm in riding on them, especially if it gets you off the main road. The cops are pretty unlikely to book you unless you are being stupid about it. The thing you have to keep in mind is that you are not supposed to be there. Pedestrians have right of way over you no matter what. And if you get caught, cop it sweet. --- DFM |
#10
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Bikes on footpaths - damn...
"Tim Jones" wrote in message
. au... As a regular footpath cyclist (with my 6YO son) I give walkers warning and a wide berth. At low speed, there should be no real problems! Tim Likewise. I give plenty of time so they know I'm there and then _I_ move out of _their_ way; I don't expect them to move out of my way at all. By the way, I'm hardly a "Lycra-clad cyclist" I wear jeans and an old shirt - don't like too much sun and don't like being cut up by branches etc. I ride slowly (15km/h at most) and on the outside edge of the path so I _don't_ hit pedestrians. I'm courteous, friendly and polite to a fault. -- Alan Erskine alanerskine(at)optusnet.com.au Trial or release, Mr Bush, trial or release. |
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