Which is "less worse"?

[aclivity]

More than half of my commute to the station is via canal towpath, and the remainder is mostly through an industrial estate, only short stretches on anything like busy roads. There is an 80 yard stretch of my morning commute which is the wrong way along a one way street. The alternative is to follow the one way system, which is an added 500+ yards. The road has very low traffic, and very little pedestrian use either.

Up to now I have ridden along the pavement; my logic for this was that I could be fined for riding on a pavement but not receive any penalty points on my driving license, whereas going the wrong way on the road would be an endorsable offence?

I have no basis in fact for this logic though - am I wrong?

[oyster]

Oh dear, are you ready for the abuse you're about to get?!

Why can't you go round the one-way system. 500 yards takes about 90 seconds max.

[aclivity]

yes, ready for the abuse. The other road, the 500+yards, is much busier with traffic, being a bit of a rat run into town. I am not saying I can't, just that I would rather not. I think I would rather walk the pavement bit rather than ride with the half-awake unobservant idiots in cars!

[voicey]

An extra 500 yards? I can see why you'd want to cut that sort of distance out by riding unlawfully.

[will_]

aclivity said:

I think I would rather walk the pavement bit rather than ride with the half-awake unobservant idiots in cars!

So do that then.

BTW you can't get points on your driving licence for a cycling offence.

[Mr Will]

I'd go the wrong way up the street. I don't believe either using the pavement or the road is an endorsable offence, so I'd do which ever seemed safest (normally a very slow pace on the pavement).

If you really want to stay within the law, can you not get off and walk?

[anonymous-user]

i would go the wrong way up the one way street for two reasons, firstly you arent likely to hit an ypedestrians, or rather, pedestrians arent likely to walk in front of you, and secondly, because you should be able to spot something coming towards you in due time to get out of the way.

that there are likely to be any law enforcement officers around in the first place is a novelty...

[DavesFlaps]

pablo said:

i would go the wrong way up the one way street for two reasons, firstly you arent likely to hit an ypedestrians, or rather, pedestrians arent likely to walk in front of you...

There's always the risk that a pedestrian would step into the road, not expecting anything to be coming from the "wrong" direction"; especially if that road is known for having low traffic volumes.

[fulham911club]

I think you know the answer is either:

(a) get off and walk; or
(b) cycle the extra 500m

[HardWorkers]

There are times when it makes sense to do what you are doing, I'm sure you are sensible enough to know not to go too fast or endanger any pedestrians. I'd say carry on and don't worry about the do-gooders. It's not a big deal.

[aclivity]

HardWorkers said:

There are times when it makes sense to do what you are doing, I'm sure you are sensible enough to know not to go too fast or endanger any pedestrians. I'd say carry on and don't worry about the do-gooders. It's not a big deal.

Thanks for this. I'll continue to cycle it, and walk if there is ever anyone on the pavement.

[okgo]

My street is a one way road but allows bikes to go against the flow according to the sign, maybe this one is the same?

[Gooby]

cycling info website said:

Cycling on pavements is often a significant local issue. In response the government passed law enabling fixed ticket penalties to be issues. The then home minister,r Paul Boateng issued a letter stating that: issues a letter about enforcement:

“The introduction of the fixed penalty is not aimed at responsible cyclists who sometimes feel obliged to use the pavement out of fear of traffic and who show consideration to other pavement users when doing so. Chief police officers, who are responsible for enforcement, acknowledge that many cyclists, particularly children and young people, are afraid to cycle on the road, sensitivity and careful use of police discretion is required.” [1. bike hub]

Similar advice has been giving to police and community support officers that tickets should be given with a considerable degree of discretion, bearing in mind there is a large practical difference between a young children cycling slowly along a road to avoid a dangerous crossing, and an older person riding aggressively on pavement putting people at risk.

[BalhamBadger]

I would use the pavement, keep your speed to a minimum, show respect to other cyclists and pedestrians and give way to them where necessary. Seems completely reasonable to me. My commute is mostly on shared-use pathways and these are the rules I go by - never had any issues.

[Engineer1]

I'd do what you are doing but be prepared to walk the oneway section as then you will be a pedestrian with a bike rather than a dodgy cyclist going the wrong way.

[Stugots]

Ride down the one way backwards.

BUT refrain from showing off like the long haired Yoof above, that would be too obvious.

HTH.