Cycling on Footpaths increasing - ?

[simongt]

Interesting to observe that in the recent year or so, there's been more and more folk, at a guess up to 70 %, cycling on footpaths even when there's a perfectly road / good cycle path / bus / cycle lane right next to them - !
Doesn't appear to be any particular type of bike or rider, so is it just in my neck of the woods ( Norwich ) or is becoming a wider issue - ?

 

[Dogtrousers]

Are there more cyclists, or the same number of cyclists differently distributed between road and footpath?

It's not something I've noticed so probably just your area or your perception.

 

[Drago]

Footpath or footway? Its not specifically an offence to ride on the former unless local by-laws prohibit it.

Up my end a large number of footways are shared paths, not always really suitable as such, so it's a not uncommon sight around here, notwithstanding the fact that seeing anyone riding a bike seems to be a rarity these days

 

[BoldonLad]

Not sure if it is increasing, but, it does seem to be the case that signposting of shared paths is unclear or totally missing.

During Covid, the local authority had little spree of encouraging "active transport/cycling". Many of the projects are still unfinished, with signage missing etc.

I have no evidence for this, but, it is my belief that neither local council, or police have accurate records of which paths are shared and which are not.

 

[Drago]

Not sure if it is increasing, but, it does seem to be the case that signposting of shared paths is unclear or totally missing.

Or simply wrong altogether.

One round here was signed as a "cycle lane". Problem it wasn't, and signposted as such it was suggesting it was legal to ride trial scooters upon it, but it wasn't.

I soon got that sorted.

 

[midlandsgrimpeur]

Never really see it round here. I don't want to dig up the old food delivery cyclist angst again, but the major issue is the usual food delivery company suspects cycling on pavements (or rather coasting on illegal "bicycles").

 

[classic33]

Seeing an increasing number of cycling on footpaths. Usually with those riding them giving little or no thought to anyone else who may be using them. Often as a shortcut, or to get round lights.
At present there's roadworks in fair part of the town centre, with temporary barriers on the pavements where permanent barriers are to go back in.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Just shows how hostile the car drivers on your roads are to people on bikes round your way.

 

[Mike_P]

Footpath or footway? Its not specifically an offence to ride on the former unless local by-laws prohibit it.

And should be clearly signposted
,
There is this classic in Harrogate, needless to say most cyclists obey the middle sign and ignore the other two

 

[N0bodyOfTheGoat]

I rarely see many cyclists when I'm actually out this summer, instead of being 99% dependent on my turbo all year during '23 and '24.

Since my first year of cycling for fitness in '17, I quickly developed some rules about outdoor riding, that I rarely break...
Don't head out or return home around rush hours and school drop-off/pickup times.

I'm on the eastern edge of Southampton, but that closest ~3 miles can be so hostile with traffic at bad times.

For the rest of my rides up in the western South Downs hills and lanes, I'll barely see another motor.

 

[oldandslow]

There's a real risk of confirmation bias in this kind of statement. Furthermore, it would be a major surprise if the real figures were consistent across different types of road, even in your particular area; you don't say whether this is one location or many. Finally, 70% of one cyclist a week is rather different from 70% of several hundred an hour.

So I'm not really sure where to go with this. But if you want a short answer, definitely not and, on my commuting trip in London, it's not far from zero per cent to the best of my recollection, except of course the odd shared-use path.

 

[PaulSB]

Apart from kids on bikes I rarely see cycling on a pavement. I wouldn't class this as cycling but more just kids mucking about.

 

[grldtnr]

It's rife around Southend, particularly by the 'just Eat' crowd, , with illegal e- bikes, which to my eyes are not kept in good condition, vastly overpowered, with no lights, no doubt by riders who have no legal status to live & work here, with little clue to our rules and high way code., the franchises that contract them must ensure that they are fully compliant with this country's laws.
Those who do ride on the pavement seem to think it doesn't matter, well it does one does it then loads more do it, it's tolerated by law if it is a busy fast road,and there is no safe alternative, but even on the quieter roads people do it.
It just isn't acceptable, and if they must ,then they should have the decency to stop & give way to this who are walking not wizz by at break neck speed.
I don't walk down the middle of the roadway, so they in turn should not ride on pavements

 

[teeonethousand]

I sometimes use the pavement to get around tricky roadworks or dangerous junctions etc. it's brief and only when empty but I think it's safer for me and it's less of a nuisance for car drivers not to be held up by a cyclist in narrow/single lanes.

I do use some shared paths, again if not busy but when busy the pedestrians don't seem to take any notice of any 'rules, niceties, common sense' etc

I always do what's safer for me first and what might be less nuisance for others second

 

[Punkawallah]

Not particularly. But anyone riding on a footpath respectfully is not a problem for me. I'd rather see them ride as not, and if they are unconfident on roads they are a liability thereon.