A Cycling & bikes forum. CycleBanter.com

Go Back   Home » CycleBanter.com forum » Regional Cycling » Australia
Site Map Home Register Authors List Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read Web Partners

Riding on footpaths



 
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old October 20th 05, 03:03 PM
Tom N
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Riding on footpaths

What are people's views on riding on footpaths (I'm talking about ordinary
suburban back streets)?

In some states (e.g. ACT I believe), it's legal. In Vic, it's ok for kids
and adults supervising kids. Also seems to be ok for old people on their
electric buggies.

I often ride on footpaths to avoid going round parked cars when there is
traffic about.

I've nearly been skittled a few times going round a parked car when there
was another opposite and some speeding 4wd tries to get three cars abreast
plus a cyclist on a narrow suburban road.

Yep there's some danger of being hit by a car reversing from a driveway and
also some danger when crossing side streets, but surely kids are much less
cognisant of these dangers than adults so why is it ok for kids only?

Also these dangers are significantly less than being hit up the arse or
head-on at 50 kph.
Ads
  #2  
Old October 20th 05, 10:33 PM
flyingdutch
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Riding on footpaths


In general, it aint good.
for cyclists, peds and others

Of course the alternatives are what force most to ride on the footpath
in the first place!

The kids only legislation was (I'm assuming) a try-and-please-everyone
solution by Vic Govt. Peds (fairly enuff) wanted bikes off footpaths.

Of course no pollie/person would support forcing kids (with little road
knowledge, spacial awareness in younger years, etc) into riding on the
road.

Dangerous for the kids, dangerous to other road users too. AND thy dont
know the road laws (That's an entir eseparate thread I'm workin on with
others coming soon...).
Of course they had to allow guardians to ride with em on footpath too.
As long as they are over 18! NO riding on footpath with younger sibling
for you. Get in mummy's taxi!!

There are 2 components to this:

Allowing kids to ride in a safe environment. (until such time as they
are able and capable enought to ride anywhere)
and
Cyclists on roads being given respect, rights and allowed to get from
A-to-B in safe, lowcost, non-polluting, blah, blah, blah, way


--
flyingdutch

  #3  
Old October 21st 05, 12:06 AM
Marx SS
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Riding on footpaths


My -2cents - on riding on footpaths for adults is that it’s OK for very
short distances of extremely low speeds (similar speed to a 4yr old on
a tricycle) . We are talking suburbian streets here.

Beyond this you’ll be either get bowled over , or bowl over peds etc.
On the footpath your’e approaching driveways & some street
intersections almost blind. A lot of driveways do not offer the driver
to opportunity to check the footpath for oncoming ‘traffic’ due to the
angle.


--
Marx SS

  #4  
Old October 21st 05, 12:20 AM
flyingdutch
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Riding on footpaths


Marx SS Wrote:
My -2cents - on riding on footpaths for adults is that it’s OK for very
short distances of extremely low speeds (similar speed to a 4yr old on
a tricycle) . We are talking suburbian streets here.

Beyond this you’ll be either get bowled over , or bowl over peds etc.
On the footpath your’e approaching driveways & some street
intersections almost blind. A lot of driveways do not offer the driver
to opportunity to check the footpath for oncoming ‘traffic’ due to the
angle.


Was thinking the other day that perhaps there should be some design
standards for fences/entryways.
IE if the street frontage of a property has to involve a driveway apply
the same lines-of-sight you do a tintersections, roundabouts etc and not
have solid or high structures that block the ability of a driver to see
what they are potentially hitting!

Of course, drivers could be less lazy and reverse in, thus leaving
forwards and not hitting as many kids/peds



--
flyingdutch

  #5  
Old October 21st 05, 12:27 AM
EuanB
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Riding on footpaths


Tom N Wrote:
What are people's views on riding on footpaths (I'm talking about
ordinary
suburban back streets)?

I am not in favor.


I often ride on footpaths to avoid going round parked cars when there
is
traffic about.

A cyclist is traffic, do you think it's reasonable for traffic to use
the foot path?


I've nearly been skittled a few times going round a parked car when
there
was another opposite and some speeding 4wd tries to get three cars
abreast
plus a cyclist on a narrow suburban road.

Sounds to me like your road skills are lacking. If a vehicle thinks
that it can get past you then you're not riding wide enough.

How do you approach parked cars? Do you wait till the last meter then
go around? Or do you do what your supposed to do, move out early with
plenty of warning and signals to other road users? I do the latter and
NEVER have problems.


Yep there's some danger of being hit by a car reversing from a
driveway and
also some danger when crossing side streets, but surely kids are much
less
cognisant of these dangers than adults so why is it ok for kids only?

Also these dangers are significantly less than being hit up the arse
or
head-on at 50 kph.

Really? You have evidence of this or is this a conclusion you reached
in your own mind? Cyclists fare best when they operate and behave as
regular vehicles on the road. I suggest you do a bit of research on
vehicular cycling.


--
EuanB

  #6  
Old October 21st 05, 02:14 AM
zog
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Riding on footpaths

Tom N wrote:
What are people's views on riding on footpaths (I'm talking about ordinary
suburban back streets)?

In some states (e.g. ACT I believe), it's legal. In Vic, it's ok for kids
and adults supervising kids. Also seems to be ok for old people on their
electric buggies.

I often ride on footpaths to avoid going round parked cars when there is
traffic about.


all depends really, I try and use the road most of the time, cars parked
near shops are the ones to keep an eye on, I try and see if anyone is in
the car and go wide just in case the twit pops the door open without
looking as they are suppose to, I have already bent one door by slaming
into it

fortunately for me there are more shared paths appearing in the area so
I tend to use those and not too many peds use them at the moment

there are a couple of spots I refuse to use the road and take the
footpath, one is a short hill with a curve to the left where some moron
motorist decide the traffic is too slow for them and shoot up on the
curbside lane, bit of a blind spot near the top so these idiots would be
on top of you before they realise it.

the other is when I go to the local shops, I use the road on the way
down no probs, coming back I use the footpath for 2 blocks, otherwise I
have to cross 6 lanes of heavy traffic just to get back to my street, I
know its not legal but I slow down and give way to any peds on the path.
  #7  
Old October 21st 05, 02:18 AM
Terry Collins
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Riding on footpaths

Tom N wrote:
What are people's views on riding on footpaths (I'm talking about ordinary
suburban back streets)?


Generally I don't. Various reasons like reverseing cars, roughness,
slower, etc, etc. Places where I do include

1. 100 metres on Blaxland Road where there is only two lanes either way
and I'm usually passing at peak hour or late at night, which is through
a sea of neons signs. This is a nice very wide foot path (20'+?) with a
concrete strip. It also allows me to make a right hand turn to say
another 100 metres of main road.

2. Chamberlain St to Warby Street going to town.

3. Shared bicycle- pedestrian pathway for 500m metres out along Georges
River Road. It is a narrow concrete path in 50' of grass with a yellow
line up the middle. The few pedestrians can be easily ridden around. It
is just so much more pleasant that riding beside the traffic on a broken
edge with bogans who try to over take on the left at the drop of a hat.

4. In the past, occassional job delivering junk mail or community
brochures on certain streets. Usually it is just easier to walk.

It isn't an issue in my books so long as peeps take it easy and use a
speed appropriate for the situation.

  #8  
Old October 21st 05, 11:22 AM
Tom N
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Riding on footpaths

EuanB wrote:

Tom N Wrote:
What are people's views on riding on footpaths (I'm talking about
ordinary suburban back streets)?

I am not in favor.

I've nearly been skittled a few times going round a parked car when
there was another opposite and some speeding 4wd tries to get three
cars abreast plus a cyclist on a narrow suburban road.

Sounds to me like your road skills are lacking. If a vehicle thinks
that it can get past you then you're not riding wide enough.

How do you approach parked cars? Do you wait till the last meter then
go around? Or do you do what your supposed to do, move out early with
plenty of warning and signals to other road users? I do the latter
and NEVER have problems.


That could be it.

I also now recall that I don't like looking back because I am worried
that I'll wobble into the path of the car I can hear behind me.

I previously thought that I'd "solve" that by getting a rear view mirror
(which is surprisingly difficult to find), but having read up as you
suggest (Wikipedia on vehicular cycling), it seems that looking back
performs an additional function of being a signal to following drivers
that you are likely to move laterally in the direction you turned your
head.

Yep there's some danger of being hit by a car reversing from a
driveway and also some danger when crossing side streets, but surely
kids are much less cognisant of these dangers than adults so why is
it ok for kids only?

Also these dangers are significantly less than being hit up the arse
or head-on at 50 kph.


Really? You have evidence of this or is this a conclusion you reached
in your own mind?


Partly a conclusion of being hit up the arse in my car by a guy who
didn't even hit the brakes and who wrote off 3 cars (mine, his and the
car in between). I am a bit nervous about being hit up the arse now.

Cops gave him a ticket for travelling too closely (1 point and $70), but
clearly it was worse than that as he didn't even hit the brakes. This
was is Melbourne on a sunny day in summer, little traffic, straight
road, 4 lanes, me stationary waiting to turn right.

Someone I know had a minor bingle up the arse of someone at a give way
sign in NSW (both cars were repairable) and got done for negligent
driving IIRC (which apparently is/was automatic for rear-enders in NSW).

Cyclists fare best when they operate and behave as regular vehicles on
the road. I suggest you do a bit of research on vehicular cycling.


Thanks for the tip.
  #9  
Old October 21st 05, 01:59 PM
Euan
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Riding on footpaths

"Tom" == Tom N Tom writes:

Tom I also now recall that I don't like looking back because I am
Tom worried that I'll wobble into the path of the car I can hear
Tom behind me.

The ability to look behind you without deviating is a skill that's
pretty much essential for safe riding. You really should be able to
look in any direction without the course of your bicycle changing.

Take yourself to a quiet car park or similar and play with your bike.
Come to a stop, determine how it leans and get going again. Really
learn how it reacts to shifts of body weight etc. The more comfortable
you are with the control of your bike the better you'll ride.

Also these dangers are significantly less than being hit up the
arse or head-on at 50 kph.


Really? You have evidence of this or is this a conclusion you
reached in your own mind?


Tom Partly a conclusion of being hit up the arse in my car by a guy
Tom who didn't even hit the brakes and who wrote off 3 cars (mine,
Tom his and the car in between). I am a bit nervous about being hit
Tom up the arse now.

OK, so you've had bad experiences in a car and you know someone else
who's had bad experiences in a car. The last time I heard of a cyclist
being hit in the rear by a car it made national news. That's how rare
an occurrence it is.

Cars being hit up the rear don't make the news because it's not news
worthy. That should tell you something.

Cyclists fare best when they operate and behave as regular
vehicles on the road. I suggest you do a bit of research on
vehicular cycling.


Tom Thanks for the tip.

You're welcome :-)
--
Cheers | ~~ __@
Euan | ~~ _-\,
Melbourne, Australia | ~ (*)/ (*)
  #10  
Old October 21st 05, 01:59 PM
Peter Signorini
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Riding on footpaths


"Tom N" wrote:

What are people's views on riding on footpaths (I'm talking about ordinary
suburban back streets)?

Ride-on-the-road. Make it safer for us all!

Peds benefit from lessened risk of being clobbered by a cyclist.
Motorists benefit from a more pedictable traffic environment, with them
being forced to take account of slower road users ans _slow down_
themselves.
Cyclists benefit from a greater use of the road by other cyclists, leading
to slower speeds and more 'cyclist-savvy' motorists. Also much lessened risk
of being cleaned up by side trsaffic coming out of driveways and side
streets.

In some states (e.g. ACT I believe), it's legal. In Vic, it's ok for kids
and adults supervising kids. Also seems to be ok for old people on their
electric buggies.


Only recently introduced under the new 'National' road rules. For some
reason the ACT and Qld have copped out and allow all to ride on footpaths. A
serious retrograde step IMHO.

I often ride on footpaths to avoid going round parked cars when there is
traffic about.

I've nearly been skittled a few times going round a parked car when there
was another opposite and some speeding 4wd tries to get three cars abreast
plus a cyclist on a narrow suburban road.


Ride wider. Plan ahead and claim your road space. The car drivers have to
deal with it, and they _know it_, but if your give them an inch....

Yep there's some danger of being hit by a car reversing from a driveway
and
also some danger when crossing side streets, but surely kids are much less
cognisant of these dangers than adults so why is it ok for kids only?

Also these dangers are significantly less than being hit up the arse or
head-on at 50 kph.


Acgtually the reverse. The greatest proportion of accidents are from cars
turning across oncoming cyclists.

Cheers
Peter


 




Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Speed averages between trail riding and road riding Brian Walker General 5 September 21st 05 12:39 AM
Riding through achy legs? jj General 6 July 20th 05 03:39 PM
The Joy of Distance Riding with Catboy. Catboy Unicycling 7 June 7th 05 02:49 AM
Freestyle pedal options, backward riding and pedals. jsm Unicycling 13 June 6th 05 01:34 AM
MUni riding – Eastern Kentucky - weekend of April 23-25 billham Unicycling 5 January 26th 04 04:45 AM


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 12:57 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.6.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright ©2004-2024 CycleBanter.com.
The comments are property of their posters.