Dannyg said:
Sometimes if I get to a major junction and the lights have just changed, I jump of and walk my bike across the junction, and then jump back on a ride off.
I've always assumed this is a legitimate thing to do, particularly as the pedestrian lights are usually at green at this point. However I recently got into an debate with a fellow cyclist who suggested I was probably p*ssing off car drivers and pedestrians by doing this.
Still can't see the problem myself - what does anyone else think?
We should get back to the original question / statement...no need to fog the issue with hypothetic theories.
The crucial point is..Are you dismounting and walking across the road or walking on an adjacent path ?
If you're dismounting and walking on the road, then you could argue you should be more patient and observe the rules of the road.
If you move onto a path..you cease at that point to be a road user...end of. If you then choose to walk for 10 yards, the re-join the road...no problem. Theres absolutely nothing illegal, immoral or rude about it. Walking on a path with a bicycle is no more of a danger or hinderance to peds than a mother pushing a pram.
Based on the that, IMO, if anyone thinks its rude, impatient, whatever, to dismount, join a footpath, walk, the re-mount and re-join the road....they're plain wrong.
A bicycle's use is not limited to the road..you are not obliged by law to complete your ride 'soley' on the road, you are not obliged to stay on the bike to get from A to B.