This is somewhat antisocial to pedestrians though.
And as some of Ian's links discuss studies show that you're not actually safer on the pavement (even on one *intended* for cycling), even if you feel safer.
Um, not that I can find the page I was reading earlier which I thought came from one of Ian's links, but Emperor has some links below.
Yeah, but I very rarely come across pedestrians, and have no problem with getting off the pavement temporarily to avoid them. The road is constantly full of cars, but the pavement only has an occasional pedestrian, who are easy to avoid. I'm afraid I can't consider it antisocial. (but then, I do come from a country where cycling on sidewalks is legal, so our biases are different)
Have you considered getting some cycle training? If cycling on the road really does freak you out at the moment then it might really help.
It sounds like you cycle somewhere with far fewer pedestrians than I normally see on the streets of Cambridge, where if you were to pop on and off the road for each one you'd never spend any time on the pavement!
I'd like cycle training, yes. The catch is that there isn't any locally available--I have to cycle (and train, and then more cycling) to get *to* the cycle training. Doh!!! I should do it anyway though, it'd be a help.
And yes, this is very true; I live in Falkirk, which very unlike Cambridge in all respects (alas!). Not many pedestrians (at least, not around where I live), plus it's one of the hottest drag racing spots in Scotland and is filled with psycho drivers--this statement being made by someone who used to live in New York City! *twitch*
That depends on how I react to my paranoia. If I'm freaked out and paranoid, I am not a safe cyclist, regardless of whether I'm on road or pavement, because I am much more likely to make stupid mistakes.
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And as some of Ian's links discuss studies show that you're not actually safer on the pavement (even on one *intended* for cycling), even if you feel safer.
Um, not that I can find the page I was reading earlier which I thought came from one of Ian's links, but Emperor has some links below.
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It sounds like you cycle somewhere with far fewer pedestrians than I normally see on the streets of Cambridge, where if you were to pop on and off the road for each one you'd never spend any time on the pavement!
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And yes, this is very true; I live in Falkirk, which very unlike Cambridge in all respects (alas!). Not many pedestrians (at least, not around where I live), plus it's one of the hottest drag racing spots in Scotland and is filled with psycho drivers--this statement being made by someone who used to live in New York City! *twitch*
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ETA...and another more detailed article (that's a PDF).
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Do you not agree? The statistics suggest to me not that roads are safer, but that cyclists who choose sidewalks are on average less skilled.