Pavement Cyclists

Over the past few months, I have entered into correspondence with the local police and politicians indicating that there is a problem with cyclists riding bikes on the pavement. The police replied to me as if I was a car driver which I am not. They were really not too interested in it.

I use local transport or walk everywhere. The one thing I must state here is that I am not an environmentalist, it is just I do not see the point in duplicating what is already supplied for a small fee or what is available through my own propulsion.

Riding a bike on the pavement is illegal and Police Officers can impose an on-the-spot fine on a cyclist under Section 51 and Schedule 3 of the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988. Time and time again I have noticed police officers ignoring this illegal act. If only they would get out of their cars and impose fines, this would stop.

In the South Side of Edinburgh, cyclists are continuing to get away with this illegal act along with other traffic misdemeanours. What I would urge citizens to do (and it is what I do) is stop any cyclist who is riding on the pavement and tell them that what they are doing is illegal and then walk away. They probably won't give a damn but you will have delayed them and given them something to think about. Also bombard your local MPs, MSPs with letters (as far as I understand it, if you send an MP or MSP a letter they must respond to it)