Quote:
Originally Posted by craigj2k11
i had this conversation with a police officer recently. he told me that while it isnt illegal to cycle on the pavement, the police advise against it, because if you hit anyone you can be sued
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Not sure your policeman was correct! The following is an extract from
http://www.bikeforall.net/content/cy...nd_the_law.php
Cycling on
footways (a pavement at the side of a carriageway) is prohibited by
Section 72 of the Highway Act 1835, amended by Section 85(1) of the Local Government Act 1888. This is punishable by a fixed penalty notice of £30 under
Section 51 and
Schedule 3 of the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988.
Cyclists have no right to cycle on a footpath away from the road but only commit an offence where local by-laws or traffic regulation orders create such an offence.
Paul Kitson, partner at cyclist-friendly solicitor Russell, Jones and Walker of London says: "There may also be offences committed in relation to 'walkways' (which is a footpath under a walkway agreement) under
Section 35 of the Highways Act 1980. However, the conditions on which these can be ridden is dependent on local council bye-laws, which vary from council to council."
Could be a bit confusing cycling in different areas when you don't know the local bye-laws though!!!