For the past two weeks, I’ve only just come to realise how many cyclists there are on the pavement while I’m walking to work. It only takes me 10 minutes, but the record number I’ve seen in one walk is 5 bikes and 1 unicycle on the path?! – No joke!
Being profoundly deaf, I can’t hear anything coming behind me, including bikes. I’ve had a few ‘near-misses’ with cyclists on the pavement because I can’t hear them coming, especially at such a speed.
Cycling on the pavement is illegal… cycling on the road or a cycle path isn’t…
‘Cycling on footways (a pavement by 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.(Highway Code)’
More information can be found here about cycling on pavements.
Cyclists can cause injury and even death in rare cases. This bike sped past me and I didn’t notice it was coming. In a worst case scenario, he could’ve knocked me and I could’ve stumbled and hit my head on the pavement.
I’m writing this blog post as I am concerned for my safety, as well as other pedestrians. It’s not only Deaf people that are affected, but blind people, elderly and children too. Any pedestrians in fact.
I was previously unaware of this problem until I started walking to work. It’s hard enough crossing roads without pedestrian crossings, vehicles turning into roads without indicating and obstacles on the pavement such as wheelie bins. (Which I know are a particular problem for blind or Deafblind people)
When a cyclist speeds past me, it really shakes me up. I feel startled and stop in my tracks, as I catch sight of a cyclist whiz past me and it takes me a while to compose myself to keep walking. The police have advised me not to shout at them as the situation could get worse, but it really annoys me seeing them get away with it.
Can you please spread the word and share these images to stop people cycling at a speed, but also dangerously and inconsiderately on pavements before it’s too late and someone gets hurt!
Following my communication with the local police and I am still waiting to hear back about any action they may feel appropriate, but it doesn’t hurt to make others aware in the meantime.
I hope you will join me in spreading the word. If you’ve had any similar experiences please comment them below.
Love E x
Deafie Blogger 
The first thing would be to get motorists to change their attitudes towards cyclists on the road. I have lost count of the number of times I have been nearly killed because a car or lorry has overtaken me too close, or on a bend cutting in at the last minute when something comes the other way. Sorry, but you need to be more objective and look at some facts – deaths/injuries caused by cyclists compared to those caused by motorists. I understand your concern – I am deaf too, and can’t hear things coming up behind me – whether I’m a pedestrian or on a bike. I would certainly encourage my children to cycle on the footpath in certain situations as I’d like them to stay alive!
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That is true, please see my comment which I posted to other people:
“To clear any confusion from Deafie Blogger’s ‘Stop cycling on the pavements’ blog post…
I wrote that blog from my perspective about cyclists who have been cycling irresponsibly and dangerously on the pavement on the way to work. The traffic isn’t bad, so I can’t see why they can’t cycle on the road. They didn’t have any care for the safety of pedestrians, such as myself.
The law clearly states here: “For those aged 10 and over, the law is clear: it’s illegal, except where there is a marked cycle track.” http://www.ctc.org.uk/blog/victoria-hazael/children-cycle-pavement
I didn’t mention anything in my blog about young children being the problem as they usually have an adult guiding them. Children under the age of 10 are allowed to cycle on the path as the road is too dangerous and they are too young to receive a fine.
For those who are defending Deaf/HOH people cycling on the pavement, this is up to their own risk. If the road is too dangerous then they are allowed, but it must be understood, that they are putting themselves at risk of getting a fine. Cycling on the pavement is acceptable if it is done safely. A better option would be to use cycle paths.
I hope this clears it all, I just want to raise awareness of inconsiderate, speeding cycling on the pavement before it’s too late and someone gets hurt.”
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I think that is fair enough. I just wish we had a proper infrastructure with proper cycle lanes, not just a few dotted lines in the road that no one takes any notice of. In countries like Holland, Denmark etc, no one cycles on the footpath because it has proper segregated safe cycle lanes.
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I totally understand the safety issue – and agree but what about deaf / hard of hearing. Cycling on the pavement ?
I love biking but I can’t hear cars etc so biking in the road isn’t possible nor safe for me .. What’s your thoughts ?
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I’ve posted this comment to everybody, I hope you would like to read it:
“I wrote that blog from my perspective about cyclists who have been cycling irresponsibly and dangerously on the pavement on the way to work. The traffic isn’t bad, so I can’t see why they can’t cycle on the road. They didn’t have any care for the safety of pedestrians, such as myself.
The law clearly states here: “For those aged 10 and over, the law is clear: it’s illegal, except where there is a marked cycle track.” http://www.ctc.org.uk/blog/victoria-hazael/children-cycle-pavement
I didn’t mention anything in my blog about young children being the problem as they usually have an adult guiding them. Children under the age of 10 are allowed to cycle on the path as the road is too dangerous and they are too young to receive a fine.
For those who are defending Deaf/HOH people cycling on the pavement, this is up to their own risk. If the road is too dangerous then they are allowed, but it must be understood, that they are putting themselves at risk of getting a fine. Cycling on the pavement is acceptable if it is done safely. A better option would be to use cycle paths.
I hope this clears it all, I just want to raise awareness of inconsiderate, speeding cycling on the pavement before it’s too late and someone gets hurt.”
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100% support you with this – had a row with a silly cow on a bike riding through Bunhill Fields where there are signs asking people to dismount and she apparently didn’t understand it.
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Oh wow! Hope you managed to sort it!
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