Cycling on footpaths, what's the law?

Question

I often cycle on footpaths (in UK), and am always polite to walkers, slowing down (and often stopping) for them. Still, occasionally a pedestrian will have a go at me, saying it's a footpath, and not for cyclists. Unless there are signs saying no cycling, aren't cyclists allowed on footpaths?

Answer 1

No

Answer 2

The law is don't. the law is very strict on this and anyone caught cycling on footpaths may be subject to a fine. As well as this people who cycle on footpaths can ruin it for other cyclists as although the National Cycle network are expanding the UK cycle network cyclists on footpaths and pavements can create a badf image. It is best to stick to fully legal tracks where u know u r 100% legal as this way when they c cyclists are following the law/rules. However r u sure u are on footpaths as a lot of the time some walkers can b quite rude even on cycle tracks and bridleways where cyclists have right of way over walkers. Also are you referring to countryside or town centre footpaths. if Towncentre then this is 100% illegal and there is a possibility of being taken to court particularly if u have an accident and injure someone. Check Out MBR magazine or national cycle network website for more information on this subject.

Answer 3

I will take cars any day over pedestrians. I cycle on both roads and mixed use trails in the US (what you call footpaths) . It sounds like you are polite and considerate to pedestrians which is good. Pedestrians behave rather erratically, I've learned for example never to say "on your left" because most will move to the left right into me (I suppose for you that would be "on your right". Instead I call out "hello" or "good morning..." and don't even get me started on kids. I love that they are out there walking, cycling....but you never know WHAT the heck they will do and usually it's right into you.

At least on the road if I ride sensibly with traffic there's a sense of what to expect. The risks in a crash or more but the likely hood may be less.

So while I prefer roads, preferably routes with no or light traffic, thinking parallel to major thoroughfares and with a bike lane, both are allowed unless posted otherwise.

Answer 4

Neither. cycling on a footpath is opposite to area seventy two of the Highways Act 1835. In prepare, maximum human beings forget approximately approximately little youngsters driving on the footpath, as that's a damned sight safer for them than driving on the line, in spite of if that's nevertheless unlawful. some police forces take care of it with the aid of way of a mounted penalty be conscious, in any different case the criminal may well be summonsed to courtroom.

Answer 5

i cycle on the footpath too mate, and i know what you mean about people having a go, only recently i waited for some geezar to pass but he didn't even acknowledge me so i nearly bashed his head in so i guess it works both ways! The roads are basically for car's in the UK as any area a foot from the curb is potholed, pitted, sunken drains or bits of crap that give you punctures as we tend to suffer with crap government funding to sort out the roads here!! I personally either ride in the middle of the road to annoy the cars or i will bike on the path even if it is illegal ( which it is by the way! ) so it's up to you! The police can't catch me on a push bike anyway ha ha!!

Good luck have fun! It's what its' all about afterall! And i do pay road tax but i do like to annoy people. Evil. Nasty. Cool.

Answer 6

A footpath is for feet and not for bicycles. However, a cyclists can easily get around this by walking the bike.

Around the world there is a horrible inconcistency with laws reagarding where byclists can ride, further adding to confusion of where one can and cannot cycle.

Answer 7

I think its illegal to cycle on a footpath, but from both a driver and cyclists point of view its much safer for you to do so, as long as you remain considerate to pedestrians, and remember use good lights and high visibility clothing!

Answer 8

I understand we need more cycle paths and the answers already are first class but to be honest, roads are for bicycles and cars and pedestrians use pavements. What a controversy would be caused if people start walking in the middle of the road. It would not happen but....

Answer 9

The bike is classed as a vehicle in the highway code, therefore it must only be ridden on the roads. There have been numerous campaigns to highlight to road-users that bikes should be given plenty of room. And many local councils have paid thousands of tax payers money to make cycle paths and cycle routes, so use them! I for one am a LGV driver and always give other road users plenty of room. Unfortunately it isn't reciprocated. So as of NOW be warned I'm fed up with being polite. I'm bigger than you and can't stop as quick so take that into consideration when you cut us up or swerve in front of us.

Answer 10

Firstly sorry for long answer, but hopefully it will point you in the right direction..
Where can I legally ride?


You can ride on highways (which may be surfaced or unsurfaced), bridleways and other routes designated to be cycle routes or elsewhere with the permission of the landowner. The main problem with this is that it may not be obvious from a map or on the ground where you can and cannot go. On Ordinance Survey maps bridleways and footpaths are marked, but the status of any right of way on other roads and tracks is not. 'Permissive' use footpaths and bridleways may also be marked and more recent OS maps may also show dotted markings showing a path with 'other public access' without the nature of this access being specified.

To get a definitive answer to where you can ride you need to look a two very different sets of maps, both held by Local Authorities. The first of these is the 'definitive map' of rights of way. This will show all recorded rights of way and may differ from those shown on OS maps (and may not actually be that 'definitive' itself!). The second set of maps records all the 'adopted roads' that the authority is responsible for. These are roads and tracks that are designated to be highways and are maintained at public expense and so have public access. Many unsurfaced farm roads are actually adopted roads (even those where 'private road' signs have been erected!).


In reality finding the status of any right of way is more complex still. Some 'highways' and even 'bridleways' may have legal orders called Traffic Regulation Orders imposed upon them which might remove or downgrade their status as rights of way to any class of user. To discover whether such orders are in power one needs to make enquiries with the relevant local authority or to actually visit the area as if a TRO is in operation signs should be in place indicating this. One may also have to make enquiries with the relevant local authority in order to establish the actual status of those paths marked as having 'other public access'. Such paths might be anything from an adopted road to a permissive footpath only.


Where can't I ride?

In general, you have no right to ride on country footpaths or on open country where there are no rights of way. However, there is a big difference to having no right to do something and something being actually prohibited in law. In general if something is not actually prohibited in law it is assumed that it is to all intents and purposes 'legal'.


A good example of how this relates to rock climbing. No law exists stating that climbers have a right to climb on any crag (a route on a crag is hardly considered to be a 'right of way!). However, over many years climbers have climbed with their activity being more or less tolerated despite no one having a legal right to climb. However, if a landowner chose to enforce a ban on climbing, they would be perfectly legally entitled to do so and the climber would not be able to claim that any right they had was being abused. Similarly, a National Park authority might choose to bring in a byelaw prohibiting climbing and again the climber could do nothing to prevent this.


A similar situation exists in many areas with relation to cycling, especially on common lands and in Scotland. This is important as landowners and others often claim that even if a law prohibiting cycling is introduced, cyclists have lost nothing as they were not legally empowered to cycle in the first place. This is obviously false as access, even access that is enjoyed thought habitual practice or tolerance, is still access and its removal is still a loss as much as denying climbers access to the crags would be a loss even they too might have no statutory right to climb.


Unfortunately, there are many laws that can be applied to prohibit cycling in various situations. Some relate to civil law (the breaking of which is a matter between you and a landowner). Some relate to traffic law (the breaking of which will be dealt with in court and may result in a fine). Yet others relate to criminal law. (Break these and you will get a criminal record as well as a fine).

Answer 11

You shouldn't do it. Footpaths are for pedestrians. Roads or cycle tracks are for cycles.