Now that the weather is warming up it is becoming apparent that many adults new to cycling are unaware of the cyclists’ code, a code supported by cycling organisations. In many cases it seems they are also unaware of the law as it affects cyclists.

For example, the code says that on shared paths cyclists should slow down when approaching pedestrians and give them plenty of room. This is no more than cyclists’ demand of car drivers when sharing the road. Basically, in both cases the faster and heavier vehicle should treat the slower and more vulnerable with respect.

The law, again supported by cycling organisations, states that if using pavements cyclists must get off their cycles and push them. They must not cycle on pavements. Perhaps, though, new cyclists have not yet realised that pavement cycling is not a victimless crime?

For very young children being intimidated by the presence of adult pavement cyclists can cause them to lose the confidence to walk to school resulting in a return to their parents’ taking them to school by car. For elderly people being faced with a (for them) fast moving adult pavement cyclist can result in even a 10 minute walk to the local shop being difficult to face. And for those who been subjected to a cyclist passing them with handlebars almost scraping ribs then walking on the pavement just becomes too dangerous to contemplate leading to less custom at the local shop, a greater risk of isolation and loneliness for the elderly person and more long term expense for the health services. New cyclists, please be considerate to those more vulnerable than yourselves, thank you.

BRIAN OATWAY

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