In Scotland the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 gives everybody the It's by far the safest option for them and I've yet to be challenged by the police or anyone else for doing this.I found a bit of info on the internet about the pavement issue on a Government laws and rules site that stated bikes are not allowed on a pavement unless they are a designated cycle path. The not was highlighted in bold letters and underlined. so. Shortcuts aren't the only way from A to B.You found it on the internet but can't provide a link? The maximum penalty is £500, but it …

And of course "It is definitely a recipe for "police discretion" which primarily used to reinforce existing inequalities.

of police discretion is required.”It seems to me (neither a Scot nor a lawyer), that it's generally illegal to cycle along Scottish pavements (using the UK interpretation of "pavement": "sidewalk" in the US). Cycling on a footway (pavement) or footpath is an offence under section 129(5) of the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984. do not normally apply to roads or footways as their use is restricted under various statutes. It only takes a minute to sign up.I've just moved to Edinburgh, and I understand that the land reform act 2003 lets me cycle on most land, excluding certain places like some highways or ministry of defense land. Presumably this is why we don't see Scottish police officers handing out spot fines for pavement cycling, unlike in England? Under the Highways Act 1835 s.72 (as amended by s. 85(1) of the Local Government Act 1888), cyclists must not cycle on a footway (pavement) and must keep to the cyclists’ side of a segregated cycle track. Detailed answers to any questions you might have with a carriageway, where right of passage is limited to foot. Most police officers, if they spot a cyclist breaking the law, would informally warn the person that what they’re doing is illegal and advise them to dismount or leave the pavement immediately. I don't really go along so much as across the footpath. [1] If not, I've been right to refrain from pointing out to Leith's ned population that they should go onto the road for reasons other than self-preservation. This (official) guidance seems to say that pavements are not generally covered by the Land Reform Act (because "access is controlled by or under another enactment"), but there are exceptions. By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Bicycles Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for people who build and repair bicycles, people who train cycling, or commute on bicycles.

Does this mean I'm within my rights to cycle on the pavement, as long as I'm not behaving in an "antisocial manner"? [ ... ]To further complicate matters, Section 7(1) of the 2003 Act states that the restriction on access As of 2021, drivers will no longer be able to park on the pavement in Scotland. site design / logo © 2020 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under Chief Police Officers who are responsible for … consider cycling on the carriageway (i.e. Yes, in reality I suspect it really does mean "paths" as distinct from pavements. Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 (“the 2003 Act”). people, are afraid to cycle on the road, sensitivity and careful use As outlined in the Highway Code, cyclists are not allowed to cycle on public footpaths. ""It is not an offence to cycle across a footway or footpath to access a cycle track, driveway or other land where cycling is allowed" suggests short pavement riding shortcuts are generally legal?

This means that cyclists may be able to cycle on a footpath, or However, the issue of cycling on the pavement is more complicated than it may first appear. disturbing working farm-yards, you can walk, ride your bike, or ride a The best answers are voted up and rise to the top In Scotland the relevant legislation is the Personally speaking, when I'm out cycling with my young children and there is no cycle track available, I'll choose to ride with them on the pavement (footway), taking extra care when encountering pedestrians or others using the footway.

Featured on Meta It's saying that you are allowed to cycle across the footpath to get from the road to your driveway, and similar analogous situations. Glasgow bike cops use the same short cut I do which involves crossing a pavement to get into the school car park via a gate at the eastern end. Start here for a quick overview of the site