Cycling on the footpath ?

caty360

My dad the other day, mentioned you should never cycle on a footh path as the guards may pull you over and fine you. I have a small bike which belonged to my gran , small wheels and light weight, I was wondering is it a bad idea to cycle on the path on a very busy road, which had a path on both sides. The road leads out onto a motor way a good bit on.. so its very busy! it would take me a half hour to walk it and I have to be in for 8 am. If I cycled it would take me less then 10 minutes, how likey is it that I would get pulled over? the path doesnt have many houses on it near the path or business and up ahead is a very busy aroundabout. Personally I would feel safer on the path, but I am getting so worked up about getting caught cycling on it , I might just walk.:(:pac:

*FOOT path... damn it it wouldnt let me edit it. awh sure...

Stark

No good can come of this thread.

Dermot Illogical

If you want to use the path, leave the bike behind.

not even wrong

caty360 wrote: »

Personally I would feel safer on the path

You might feel safer, but pedestrians sharing the footpath wouldn't.

marketty

caty360 wrote: »

*FOOT path... damn it it wouldnt let me edit it. awh sure...

no it's footPAD

AaronB

RT66 wrote: »

If you want to use the path, leave the bike behind.

+1

caty360

nah , i just wanted an opinon. Thanks.

Darkglasses

caty360 wrote: »

nah , i just wanted an opinon. Thanks.

Just so it is clear, it's the *law*. Not opinion.

drdeadlift

Just cycle on the footpath with care and give way to pedestrians.Dont let people think your committing genocide just because you cycle on the path.

awec

drdeadlift wrote: »

Just cycle on the footpath with care and give way to pedestrians.Dont let people think your committing genocide just because you cycle on the path.

Er, it's illegal. :rolleyes:

"Cyling on the footpath with care" makes it no less illegal.

If you want to use the footpaths you should walk. If you want to cycle, use cycle lanes where available and the road the rest of the way.

buffalo

drdeadlift wrote: »

Just cycle on the footpath with care and give way to pedestrians.Dont let people think your committing genocide just because you cycle on the path.

I only steal from rich people with insurance. Which makes it okay for me to steal! :pac:

drdeadlift

awec wrote: »

Er, it's illegal. :rolleyes:

"Cyling on the footpath with care" makes it no less illegal.

If you want to use the footpaths you should walk. If you want to cycle, use cycle lanes where available and the road the rest of the way.

Yawns....

The amount of laws that aren't enforced is criminal,cycling on the path is well down the list of laws which need to be acted on by the Garda.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tweedjacketandapipe/7710387842/in/photostream


http://www.flickr.com/photos/tweedjacketandapipe/7710383214/in/photostream/


The above are pictures i took whist in Barcelona two weeks ago,these cycle lanes are continuous throughout almost every street in Barcelona.I would be agreeing with you if cyclists in Ireland had similar facilities as they do in Spain but they don't.

Darkglasses

I really think it's attitudes like yours that contribute to the amount of disrespect cyclists get on the road. If certain cyclists don't act like proper road users, we won't be treated as such.

Mr Simpson

Please, just don't cycle on the footpath. The amount of times I've nearly been hit on the footpath recently is shocking, and it just gives other cyclists a bad name.

awec

drdeadlift wrote: »

Yawns....

The amount of laws that aren't enforced is criminal,cycling on the path is well down the list of laws which need to be acted on by the Garda.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tweedjacketandapipe/7710387842/in/photostream


http://www.flickr.com/photos/tweedjacketandapipe/7710383214/in/photostream/


The above are pictures i took whist in Barcelona two weeks ago,these cycle lanes are continuous throughout almost every street in Barcelona.I would be agreeing with you if cyclists in Ireland had similar facilities as they do in Spain but they don't.

Yawn all you want.

It's illegal. End of story.

Inbox

Just seen a group of kids cycling past my house on the footpath, i've notified the Garda :rolleyes::D

Liam90

Inbox wrote: »

Just seen a group of kids cycling past my house on the footpath, i've notified the Garda :rolleyes::D

I agree you shouldn't cycle on the footpath, but that's a bit extreme don't you think?

Holyboy

Inbox wrote: »

Just seen a group of kids cycling past my house on the footpath, i've notified the Garda :rolleyes::D

I would have ran out and stuck a broom handle in the front spokes, that would learn em real good

Mr Simpson

Liam90 wrote: »

I agree you shouldn't cycle on the footpath, but that's a bit extreme don't you think?

drdeadlift

Darkglasses wrote: »

I really think it's attitudes like yours that contribute to the amount of disrespect cyclists get on the road. If certain cyclists don't act like proper road users, we won't be treated as such.

Its not attitudes thats the problem,its cyclists actions.I keep to the rules of the road what others do is beyond my control.What im well aware of is some folk simply do not feel safe at all on the roads(in dublin)and i understand why so they take the footpath.

Chips Lovell

All the empirical evidence suggest that cycling in Dublin is quite safe.

Someone who isn't competent or confident enough to ride on the road shouldn't be riding at all rather than feeling it gives them licence to cycle on the footpath.

drdeadlift

Vladimir Kurtains wrote: »

All the empirical evidence suggest that cycling in Dublin is quite safe.

Someone who isn't competent or confident enough to ride on the road shouldn't be riding at all rather than feeling it gives them licence to cycle on the footpath.

Alot of cyclist would disagree with your "empirical" evidence.

Chips Lovell

drdeadlift wrote: »

Alot of cyclist would disagree with your "empirical" evidence.

Anecdotal evidence beats facts I suppose?

So you feel that someone's own opinion/superstition gives them licence to break the law? That's an interesting approach.

drdeadlift

Vladimir Kurtains wrote: »

Anecdotal evidence beats facts I suppose?

So you feel that someone's own opinion/superstition gives them licence to break the law? That's an interesting approach.

Nope but when a friends head gets mashed into the tarmac as a 40ft truck squishes them it makes you look at the law a little differently

Chips Lovell

drdeadlift wrote: »

Nope but when a friends head gets mashed into the tarmac as a 40ft truck squishes them it makes you look at the law a little differently

Plenty of people are killed whilst driving too. Do you think that gives people the right to drive in which ever way they want?

The fact remains is that there are a tiny proportion of fatalities from cycling. Cycling on the road is not unsafe.

drdeadlift

Vladimir Kurtains wrote: »

Plenty of people are killed whilst driving too. Do you think that gives people the right to drive in which ever way they want?

The fact remains is that there are a tiny proportion of fatalities from cycling. Cycling on the road is not unsafe.

Its unsafe,i cycle a 5km stretch across the city 6 days per week.

AltAccount

drdeadlift wrote: »

Its unsafe,i cycle a 5km stretch across the city 6 days per week.

No it's not

Diarmuid

drdeadlift wrote: »

Nope but when a friends head gets mashed into the tarmac as a 40ft truck squishes them it makes you look at the law a little differently

You shouldn't use the bad fortune of a handful of people (about 2 per year?) to try and make your point.

Raam

drdeadlift wrote: »

Its unsafe,i cycle a 5km stretch across the city 6 days per week.

Will you cycle the whole thing on the footpad and tell us which is better of the two?

Chips Lovell

drdeadlift wrote: »

Its unsafe,i cycle a 5km stretch across the city 6 days per week.

Simply asserting something is unsafe doesn't make it so. If cycling really were that dangerous it would be reflected in accident statistics. It isn't.

Iwannahurl

caty360 wrote: »

My dad the other day, mentioned you should never cycle on a footh path as the guards may pull you over and fine you. I have a small bike which belonged to my gran , small wheels and light weight, I was wondering is it a bad idea to cycle on the path on a very busy road, which had a path on both sides. The road leads out onto a motor way a good bit on.. so its very busy! it would take me a half hour to walk it and I have to be in for 8 am. If I cycled it would take me less then 10 minutes, how likey is it that I would get pulled over? the path doesnt have many houses on it near the path or business and up ahead is a very busy aroundabout. Personally I would feel safer on the path, but I am getting so worked up about getting caught cycling on it , I might just walk.:(:pac:

*FOOT path... damn it it wouldnt let me edit it. awh sure...

Is there an alternative route?

What's the speed limit on the road?

opti0nal

drdeadlift wrote: »

Its unsafe,i cycle a 5km stretch across the city 6 days per week.

If it were really unsafe, you'd be posting from beyond the grave. I do 100km a week on the city centre and would describe the situation as occasionally annoying.

The most unsafe part of cycling in Dublin is the risk of fatal dose of indignation at the hypocrisy of Dublin's motorists.

jimmycrackcorm

RT66 wrote: »

If you want to use the path, leave the bike behind.

Does that also apply to motorists parking on said path? Because they're obviously leaving the car behind.

Iwannahurl

opti0nal wrote: »

If it were really unsafe, you'd be posting from beyond the grave. I do 100km a week on the city centre and would describe the situation as occasionally annoying.

The most unsafe part of cycling in Dublin is the risk of fatal dose of indignation at the hypocrisy of Dublin's motorists.

So risk, and perception of risk, is only real/valid after someone is killed?

bebe1

it is illegal to go on the footpath, try pout the road but with the way our roads are in ireland its so dangerous anyway. wear a hi vis vest and chance the road and dont be put off by the cars, you pay taxes too.

Mycroft H

drdeadlift wrote: »

Vladimir Kurtains wrote: »

Plenty of people are killed whilst driving too. Do you think that gives people the right to drive in which ever way they want?

The fact remains is that there are a tiny proportion of fatalities from cycling. Cycling on the road is not unsafe.

Its unsafe,i cycle a 5km stretch across the city 6 days per week.

Why is it unsafe in your opinion?

bebe1 wrote: »

it is illegal to go on the footpath, try pout the road but with the way our roads are in ireland its so dangerous anyway. wear a hi vis vest and chance the road and dont be put off by the cars, you pay taxes too.

And what about your lights. Another legal requirement and all that...

caty360

Im going to walk .
Yes I am now aware its against the law.But that road is just too deadly to be cycling on, it leads onto a motorway and into the city so it tends to get a lot of traffic...etc. There is a cycle lane on another route leading up that road but it still brings you out onto a very busy around about , then a junction where a good few accidents have happened. A lady was recently hit by a car coming out of there. Its really hard to explain , but the turn off would mean, I would have to cross 3 lanes of Traffic at rush hour going in varies directions.

Ill burn more calories walking if anything ! haha.

I havent seen many cyclists on that road either.... well no harm done. I just wanted to confirm it.
No need to get so angry about it lads! take an aul breathe there and be happy, dont worry!

awec

caty360 wrote: »

Im going to walk .
Yes I am now aware its against the law.But that road is just too deadly to be cycling on, it leads onto a motorway and into the city so it tends to get a lot of traffic...etc. There is a cycle lane on another route leading up that road but it still brings you out onto a very busy around about , then a junction where a good few accidents have happened. A lady was recently hit by a car coming out of there. Its really hard to explain , but the turn off would mean, I would have to cross 3 lanes of Traffic at rush hour going in varies directions.

Ill burn more calories walking if anything ! haha.

I havent seen many cyclists on that road either.... well no harm done. I just wanted to confirm it.
No need to get so angry about it lads! take an aul breathe there and be happy, dont worry!

Ah nobody was getting angry You'll also burn calories if you find another route you can cycle that avoids this road, even if it's longer distance wise

This road sounds a lot like the N11?

juan.kerr

drdeadlift wrote: »

Just cycle on the footpath with care and give way to pedestrians.

I suppose you think Jim McDaid driving the wrong way on the motor way was okay since he was being careful. :rolleyes:

SHOVELLER

Footpath. The key is in the name.

Worst culprits are couriers.

caty360

Sorry, dont know the name of that road. Nah like there were fair points made like, haha I wasnt planning to run over anyone walking while on the bike or have an "attitude".
Now Id say Id would have been scared ****less in case if I would been stopped by a guard ! hahahaha . Awh well lesson learned.
I go running a lot so calories wise , Im not too worried. It was a time thing and a safety issue. I was warned it was a bad road...etc.

opti0nal

Iwannahurl wrote: »

So risk, and perception of risk, is only real/valid after someone is killed?

Risk can be measured in hospital stats.

Perception of risk is a personal thing. My perception of risk is measured in how many times a day I need to change my underwear.

Mostly, Dublin city drivers are merely annoying and discourteous.

drdeadlift

BX 19 wrote: »

Why is it unsafe in your opinion?





And what about your lights. Another legal requirement and all that...

I have my lights on day and night,.anyway went from a downhill bike to a road bike last year and find the road surface ridiculous,avoiding pot holes all sizes is one of reasons i stick my opinion on this matter.

drdeadlift

juan.kerr wrote: »

I suppose you think Jim McDaid driving the wrong way on the motor way was okay since he was being careful. :rolleyes:

? No idea what your talking about.

DeadlyTwig

Depends what time of the day you're cycling at op!

I used to be out of the house at 6 so it wasn't a problem to cycle on the path.

If the path isn't busy, just cycle on it and dismount if you see a person walking. If not, how long is the road, could you walk that portion of your journey or try a different route?

SHOVELLER

Whether the path is busy or not it is still not for cyclists. FOOTPATH.

Iwannahurl

opti0nal wrote: »

1. Risk can be measured in hospital stats.

2. Perception of risk is a personal thing. My perception of risk is measured in how many times a day I need to change my underwear.

1. There is something in what you say. The issue of risk is more ramified than your comments suggest, though.

2. My perception is that people's perception of the risks of cycling exceed the actual risk. However, that risk perception is an important (de)motivating factor, and it needs to be addressed in some form in order to encourage more cycling and attract new recruits to cycle commuting.