Cyclists targeted for anti-social riding in Linden

“but then we'd have to stop or slow constantly ? why should we do that and not cars when people are hesitant about overtaking ?”

“I'm all for zandranna's way of cycling. I'm both a car driver and a biker, but not a cyclist, at least not since I was in my teens, and I find the vast majority of cyclists that I come across on the road to be a complete pest, especially in rush hour traffic. Also, if I did have a bicycle you wouldn't catch me riding on the road in many places, looks far too dangerous to me! On top of this many car drivers are woefully equipped in the brain department when it comes time to pass a cyclist on the road, creating massive tailbacks.

If cyclists used the pavements, where feasible (ie wide enough etc.) in a circumspect way, steadily, and stopping/moving for pedestrians then the roads would be a safer place!

Not trying to be inflammatory here, it's just my personal view.”

“There are a lot of cyclists flouting the laws. I'm often waiting at traffic lights (on a bike) and some cyclist will flout the law. So I'm up for pedestrians being cracked down upon.”

“Zandranna, no.
The pavement is for pedestrians.
The road is for cars, bikes, bicycles and horses.

I've cycled everywhere for 15 years. Never had an accident. Never used pavements either! Just because you are a pensioner does not mean you can flout the law. In your own mind you are pursuing some righteous protest. If you want cycle lanes then petition for them. Or use the road like you are supposed to.”

“Only three 'nuisance' cyclists caught in five hours. Doesn't sound like a very big problem then.

Police time would be better spent on tackling motorists who encroach on the pavement – either when manoeuvring or parking. Not happy to monopolise the roads they are totally inconsiderate of the needs of pedestrians, especially those pushing prams, buggies and wheelchairs.”

“Three cyclists caught cycling on the footway in five hours. Doesn't sound like much of a problem to me.

I would like to see the police crack down on cars encroaching on the footway – either to pass in narrow roads or for parking.”

“I am a 64 year old female pensioner. Never ridden a bike in my life until I retired at 60. I then took up riding a trike as my only means of personal transport. I "will not" vehicular cycle. I am not a blasted car.

I pavement cycle on all roads faster than 30mph. I intend to keep on pavement cycling until a real cycling infrastructure is built. I have my own pavement cycling etiquette and have never even made a pedestrian jump let alone run one over. In fact I often have great conversations with pedestrians as we pass each other.

I cycle on pavements because...

1) Out of convenience councils have turned many pavements into shared use. Why should it be legal to cycle on some pavements and not others?

2) We stand more chance of getting decent segregated cycle paths if more rode pavements instead of the roads. All the time cyclists are happy to share space with cars nothing will be done. The government will not however want 100s of cyclists riding the pavements.

3) When I am pavement cycling, I am neither a danger, nor antisocial. The 1999 Home Office instructions to police regarding pavement cycling exempts me (being terrified to cycle on fast roads) from being forced to vehicular cycle.

It's being reported that antisocial pavement cycling is being cracked down on. Does that mean that pavement cycling is being cracked down on, or does it really mean that only those cycling dangerously are being cracked down on? The Home Office were quite clear on who should be "cracked down on".

Since the original law of "No cycling on pavements" the volume and speed of traffic is now 10 fold. Therefore the "No cycling on Pavements" law in this age is now dangerous and some might even say against our basic human right of living in a healthy and safe society.

Until we have a real safe for all infrastructure the pavement law should be repealed and replaced with pavement cycling etiquette rules, using the cyclists dismount or no cycling signs sparingly through areas of high volume pedestrians.”

“@Takeaway22 - it's easily possible and realistic to travel at 20mph along a pavement, but it would be stupid. I was making the point that the dangers of cyclists who are on the pavement are *not* "greatly exagerated [sic] by the anti-cycling and pro-car brigade". Even travelling at 20mph along the shared-space cycle lanes on Lansdown Road in Cheltenahm (which are long and straight) would be idiotic.

@gallopingbear - I agree. Cyclists need to be responsible and held responsible for their actions.

@charloieboy - ROFL!”

“Hmmm - who's idea was it to monitor riders between 10am and 3pm when most people are at work, school etc?”

“From earlier reports on the subject here, I suspect this has less to do with responsible cyclists than young tearaways deliberately making a bl**dy nuisance of themselves by engaging in anti-social behaviour and low-level criminality.”