Not a newbie and no longer a dilemma

[simon the viking]

What seems like years ago (It's 3 in fact.... where did that go?) as a newbie I posted this...

https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/a-newbies-dilemma-whats-your-opinion.118597/

I no longer wear the flourescent jacket described, but all the lovely cycle chatters on here studied my route and said I was thinking like a driver and why didn't I use the foot bridge/cyclepath which I had half forgotten existed... result, been using it since.... however they are shutting it for nearly 12 months for serious repair work (I cant complain it needs it) so I'm back to the dilemma described in the original thread but now as a more experienced cyclist I have 4 choices.... (please note it is still a very scary bridge)....

1 When light use the lanes to add 5 miles to my commute and use another very un-scary bridge (don't fancy dark bendy lanes) I thought back then the point of a commute was to use the shortest route and get home as fast as possible.... how naive was I?

2 Ride on pavement and if challenged tell copper to go after chavs on BSO's with no lights who always ride on pavements (and question why both extremely wide pavements dont include a cycle path)

3 Crank it up to 25 mph treat 3/4 mile bridge as a T.T and ride primary

4 there is another road bridge even more scary the other side of town (I avoid it in a car its that bad due to the stupid junctions and light filters) but it does have a pavement based cycle path....

I will probably use a combination of all 4 solutions depending on how I feel on the day.....

 

[Milkfloat]

For me it would be 1 or 3, never 2 and 4 sounds unappealing (the pavement cycle path).

 

[simon the viking]

For me it would be 1 or 3, never 2 and 4 sounds unappealing (the pavement cycle path).

With regard to 2.... when I did do it I felt guilty every time but self preservation kicked in! with regard to 4... the other bridge is completely bonkers and I would never attempt an 'on-road' attempt...

 

[swee'pea99]

Personally I'd go with a tweaked version of 2. As a rule, I'm vehemently opposed to pavement riding, but there are exceptions to many good rules, and I'd say this would be one of them. Caveats being that you would of course do it with immense care, give way to all pedestrians, apologise if challenged and briefly explain it's just too dangerous out there - people would understand/sympathise, as long as you were polite and humble...they're not idiots - and if confronted by a cop, rather than telling him how to do his job, just treat him as you would anyone else: explain why you're doing what you're doing. The police aren't idiots either. And I'm pretty sure there is actually provision within the law for riding on the pavement, given circumstances exactly like those you describe.

 

[simon the viking]

Personally I'd go with a tweaked version of 2. As a rule, I'm vehemently opposed to pavement riding, but there are exceptions to many good rules, and I'd say this would be one of them. Caveats being that you would of course do it with immense care, give way to all pedestrians, apologise if challenged and briefly explain it's just too dangerous out there - people would understand/sympathise, as long as you were polite and humble...they're not idiots - and if confronted by a cop, rather than telling him how to do his job, just treat him as you would anyone else: explain why you're doing what you're doing. The police aren't idiots either. And I'm pretty sure there is actually provision within the law for riding on the pavement, given circumstances exactly like those you describe.

You're right of course.... I did always treat it as though I was in the wrong so always gave way to peds so probably wouldn't challenge a copper.... but the bridge is so crying out for a cycle path... and there's going to be more cyclists using as footpath bridge has always got cyclists on it......

 

[Dogtrousers]

I'm pretty sure there is actually provision within the law for riding on the pavement, given circumstances exactly like those you describe.

I don't think there is, and theoretically you could end up with a £50 on the spot fine. What you may be thinking if is the statement from the transport minister last year suggesting that police should use discretion if the roads are dangerous. Linky

 

[simon the viking]

I don't think there is, and theoretically you could end up with a £50 on the spot fine. What you may be thinking if is the statement from the transport minister last year suggesting that police should use discretion if the roads are dangerous. Linky

I remember this being said..... and judging by the amount of pavement cyclists in burton the police have took it to heart

with regard to on the spot fines though if I have no I.D on me.........

 

[ianrauk]

I remember this being said..... and judging by the amount of pavement cyclists in burton the police have took it heart

with regard to on the spot fines though if I have no I.D on me.........

They will hold you and call in to ID what ever address/name you give.

 

[simon the viking]

They will hold you and call in to ID what ever address/name you give.

Figured there wouldn't be a way round it......

 

[ianrauk]

Figured there wouldn't be a way round it......

I talk from experience

 

[swee'pea99]

What you may be thinking if is the statement from the transport minister last year suggesting that police should use discretion if the roads are dangerous. Linky

Yup. That is what I was vaguely remembering. I'd still go with it, personally, and if necessary argue the toss with any officer disinclined to use his/her discretion.

 

[Lonestar]

I use all the backstreets I can and avoid the main roads where possible.After 25 years of wearing Hi-Viz I still do but I must admit until my Central London commutes which started in 1990 I never did which was between 1976 and 1990.My commutes started on different routes from 1981 till 1990.

However he also said cyclists must “be mindful to not put pedestrians at risk”.

Of course this is important.

 

[cd365]

I talk from experience

You gave your own name and address?

 

[ianrauk]

You gave your own name and address?

One had to when threatened with gun toting cops outside Buckingham Palace..

 

[cd365]

One had to when threatened with gun toting cops outside Buckingham Palace..

You need to learn the address and postcode of someone you don't like!