Cycling on the Footpath?
23rd November 2008
Should cyclists be allowed to ride on the footpath? Up until now, whether allowed or disallowed, they are already on the footpath daily. Even if you tell them about Rule 64 of the Highway Code which identifies a prohibition to cyclist to be on the footpath, they are either ignorant of it or disregard it.

Since some cyclists already disregard this Rule 64 or are ignorant of it, do we need to to proceed with an education programme for better road safety, for all footpath users?

Try asking any cyclists on the footpath what is Rule 64 of the Highway Code or what other rules and laws are governing the cyclists in our Country - the answer is probably most of the cyclists are not aware of it!

Why? Everyone is cycling on the footpath, on pedestrian crossings, and in fact everywhere they like daily - that there doesn't seem to have any rules or laws governing cyclists.

Concern has been raised over the number of cyclist that use our village footpaths, endangering pedestrians. Generations of cyclist today, the prime reason for the majority of them travelling on the paths is for safety reasons and probably because they have no lights. They argue about the hazards of the speeding vehicles and in particular the number of HGV's using the A3102 and B4069 Chippenham Road. Yes, the volume of traffic on the roads has drastically increased from a generation ago and thus impose more dangers. We witness parents teaching siblings to use the paths, but consideration seems lacking to educate the users of the prime purpose of footpaths.

If outlawing bikes from the walkways is done for reasons of safety, how do we justify the deaths and injuries caused by cars or lorries hitting cyclists. We know as a vehicle driver, the streets can be a dangerous place, but as a cyclist, you could consider them deadly. We witness regular news headlines: Cyclist has died after being in collision with a lorry outside the main entrance to Littlecote House. A male cyclist has been taken to the Royal United Hospital in Bath this morning after a collision with a Vauxhall. A female cyclist has sustained injuries after a driver who failed to stop hit her.

The footpath for pedestrian is already not wide enough for pedestrians in most places, how are we going to allow cyclists on it? We also have those other vehicle users parking on it too, cars and vans that decide to park on the path making passing difficult for wheelchair users and buggy users.

If a change in the law is needed to allow the cyclist to use the footpath, maybe a better education of the consideration and priority should be given to the pedestrian and not the cyclist.

Any person walking along the path, should not be expected to step out of the way of a cyclist onto the roadside, thus putting themselves in a perilous situation. Those elders, physically handicapped people and youngsters may not be agile enough to avoid those reckless cyclists.

Consideration should be taken by the cyclist, if they see a walker, disabled person, pensioner, blind person with guide dog, mobility chair, or any appropriate user of the pathway, they should stop and let the pedestrian pass before making off on their journey. Alternatively, if they could not use some common sense for the pedestrian, then they should use the roadway for their cycle journey. Most cyclist use the roadway.

We read in the local papers that Swindonian's wanting to keep fit, save the environment and reduce congestion were in for a shock when they were fined £30 earlier this week.

Police community support officers were out in force in the town centre dishing out on-the-spot tickets to commuters who were on board their bikes in the pedestrianised area. Between 8am and 11am, officers served more than five cyclists with penalty notices for flouting the rules on riding through the pedestrian area in Regent Street, Bridge Street, Wharf Green and Fleet Street, and instructed them to dismount.

Last week Police Support Officers warned cyclists that they would be more proactive about enforcing the rules. “Cycling has always been prohibited in the town centre and we have always been able to enforce these notices,” she said.

“There has been an increase in cyclists in the town centre and with the Christmas period fast approaching the town will be very busy and subsequently there is an increased risk of injury to pedestrians.”

What are your thoughts?
Please read our Village Forum and may be add your comments: What needs to be done to improve alround safety for pedestrians and cyclist? Should the law be changed? What can be done to ensure all cyclist use the roadway? Any ideas? Click here